Easy Tourist Guide

Jayanti – a picturesque palce within the Buxa Tiger Reserve along the meandering Jayanti River is an ideal palce to relax and rejuvenate in the midst of nature. This somewhat off-beat destination is fast becoming popular as an eco-tourism hot spot. Often referred to as the “Queen of Dooars”, this picturesque place provides a perfect setting for a memorable tour. With no mobile network you will definitely enjoy the peace of true holiday and be able to spend some time discovering and rediscovering yourself. Time spent with your loved ones at this remotest corner of earth will definitely be an experience of a life time.

Where is Jayanti?

Jayanti is in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal in India. This forest village is about 30 Km from Alipurduar.

About Jayanti

Located along the Jayanti River, which forms a natural border with the Bhutan hills, this beautiful place offers all the peace and tranquility that is so missing in a busy city life. A tour of Jayanti, away from the humdrum of city life is an ideal leisure holiday destination where time seems to have slowed down its fast pace. Music of the swift flowing Jayanti River, chirping of unknown birds, sweet fragrance of nature and refreshingly cool breeze at Jayanti will make you feel completely rejuvenated. Though the river remains dry for most of the year but its white beds with pebbles all around imparts an unmatched beauty to the place.
Way to Jayanti through the densely forested Buxa Tiger Reserve is a fascinating experience and another huge attraction of Jayanti tour. Meeting a herd of Elephant or Spotted Deer or plenty of Peacocks are most common sights on the way to Jayanti.

Sightseeing in and around Jayanti

Apart from enjoying the beauty of nature and taking a bath in the Jayanti River there are quite a few spots nearby that are worth a visit.
Buxa Fort – This fort atop the Buxa Hill at a height of 2600 feet is of great historical importance. The fort was used as a prison by the British during its rule in India. Many freedom fighters were imprisoned here during the British rule. After independence, it served as a refugee camp for Tibetans and Bangladeshis.

To visit this place of historic importance one has to trek through the dense forested hills. The 5 Km long trek starts from Santhlabari (914 ft) and offers some panoramic and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Pokhri – This sacred and holy pond on the top of Pokhri hill at a distance of about 4 Km from Jayanti is a must-visit sightseeing destination of Jayanti. To reach Pokhri one has to trek the distance partly through forested hills and partly through previously used roads. The whole trek is quite a joyful experience and provides a scope to come so close to nature. People visiting Jayanti hardly misses a chance to visit the Pokhri pond. The beauty of the surroundings is certainly something which has a refreshing effect.

It is a place of religious worship for the Bhutanese and other local people. The pond is considered as extremely sacred and people even do not touches its water with feet. Large number of big-sized Magur and Turtle fish in the waters of the Pokhri is another attraction of the place.
Mahakal – The stalactite cave of Mahakal is a popular pilgrimage destination of the Hindus. Located near Bhutan border this cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a popular sightseeing destination of Jayanti. To reach Mahakal cave one has to trek through forested hills for nearly one and a half hour. The journey is not at all tough and tourists visiting Jayanti should definitely visit this cave temple. Apart from the pilgrimage point of view, the whole journey is a chance to enjoy the beauty of nature so closely.

Though chances of viewing wild animals are rare but one is guaranteed of hearing the chirping of unknown birds and butterflies of varied colours as well. During Shivaratri a large fair is held at the place and locals as well as tourists throng the place in large number.

How to reach Jayanti?

By Air – Bagdogra airport of Siliguri at a distance of about 195 Km is the nearest airport of Jayanti. Regular flights of Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines connect Bagdogra with major Indian cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati.
By Rail – Alipurduar is the nearest railway station of Jayanti. The town of Alipurduar having three railway stations is well connected to all the major cities of India, including Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, etc.
By Road – Jayanti, at a distance of about 30 Km from Alipurduar is well connected by good road. One can also reach Jayanti from Cooch Behar or Jaldapada or even Siliguri as through Rajabhat Khawa.

Where to stay at Jayanti?

Being situated in a remote corner of West Bengal along the boundary of Bhutan, this beautiful place is a small village where there are very limited staying options.
CESC Holiday Home – Run by CESC Co-op Credit Society, it is the best staying option available at Jayanti. With well carpeted and tastefully decorated well furnished rooms this holiday home named “Abakash” is also very cheap, even for non-CESC people. For booking one should contact at Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation office situated at Victoria House, Chowranghee Square Calcutta – 700 001.
PHE Bungalow – This another good and quality staying option at Jayanti and that too at an affordable price. This Public Health Engineering Bunglow can be booked from its office at Club Road, Jalpaiguri directly or contacting them over phone at 03561 – 230659.
Hotel Banante – Located just beside the River Jayanti and offering spectacular view of the Bhutan hills along the river, this hotel is a good staying option of Jayanti. For booking contact at – 9932229686 / 9775802984.
Nature Hut (03561 – 286567) and Banalata (9434607390) are other two good and cheap staying options of Jayanti.
Note : Mr. Bidyut Biswas of Alipurduar can be contacted for booking any of the above mentioned hotels and rest houses. He will also be of great help for booking vehicles and proper planning of the whole tour. His contact numbers are : 9832454875 and 8436322802.

Amarkantak may not be one of the most popular tourist destinations of India but to those who know Indian culture and tradition is well aware of the fact that it is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations of the Hindus. Popularly known as “Teerthraj” (the king of pilgrimages), Amarkantak is deemed to be the door-way to “Nirvana”. Apart from being a sacred pilgrimage destination, Amarkantak with its verdant hills, forested surroundings and breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls has all the ingredients for a memorable tour in the midst of nature. This great-unexplored tourism destination of Madhya Pradesh is a place worth a visit.

About Amarkantak

Amarkantak – a hill town at an average elevation of 1065 m above sea at the meeting point of the Vindhya and the Satpura mountain ranges is a major pilgrimage destination of the Hindus. Being the source of the River Narmada (considered by many as the most sacred river of India), Amarkantak has grown into a sacred pilgrimage destination over the years. Another important river of India, Sone, also originates here.
Amarkantak is indeed bliss of nature. Holy ponds, lofty hills, forested surroundings, glittering streams, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls and an ever-pervading air of serenity makes Amarkantak a palce where sacredness of Mother Nature is bound to mesmerize you. Though Amarkantak is known to most as a pilgrimage destination of the Hindus, but the natural beauty of the place is so awesome that it has all the potential to develop as a popular hill tourism destination as well.
The dense forest of Amarkantak depicts a unique ecosystem and is an internationally acclaimed natural heritage zone. Its far-off valleys showcase an exceedingly diverse floristic genre which hardly has any comparison.

Where is Amarkantak?

The popular pilgrimage destination of Amarkantak is situated in the newly formed district of Anuppur in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

Sightseeing in and around Amarkantak

Narmadakund and temples – Narmadakund is the open pool from where the river Narmada originates. Being the source of the sacred river Narmada, the place enjoys great pilgrimage importance and a dip in the waters of the kund is believed to take one closer to attainment of nirvana. Around the kund there are a number of temples dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses.
Narmada Udgam temple is by far the most popular and eye catching. Built by the Bhonsles of Nagpur, the view of the shining white temple against the blue sky in all its divine glory in the morning light is all set to mesmerize you.
Other temple in the complex includes Shiva temple, Kartikey temple, Shri Ram Janki temple, Annapurna temple, Guru Gorakhnath temple, Sri Shuryanarayan temple, Vangeshwar Mahadev temple, Durga temple, Shiva Pariwar, Siddheswar Mahadev temple, Sri Radha Krishna temple, Eleven Rudra temple etc.
Though bathing inside the complex is prohibited, but there is well built bathing Ghats just outside the complex where devotees takes holy dip with the belief of attaining nirvana.
Sonemuda – At a distance of about 1.5 Km from Narmadakund is Sonemuda, which is the origin of River Sone. Being situated at the edge of Maikal Mountain, the place enjoys panoramic view of forested hills and valleys. River Sone, known for gold dust in its water, cascades below from the mountain top forming a 100 ft long waterfall. The place is extremely popular among tourists visiting Amarkantak.

Kapildhara – At a distance of about 6 Km to the north-west of Narmadakund is the 100 ft long waterfall named Kapildhara. Believed to be the place where famous sage Kapil Muni performed meditation and attained the divine light, Kapildhara is a major pilgrimage destination of Hindus. It is one of the major waterfalls on River Narmada. It is a major sightseeing destination of Amarkantak.
The nearby Kapileshwar Temple dedicated to Kapil Muni sees large influx of pilgrims throughout the year. The scenic beauty of the entire place needs special mention.
Dudhdhara – At a distance of about 1 Km from Kapildhara is another waterfall on River Narmada named Dudhdhara. A milky water of the waterfall falling from a height of about 50 ft is a huge attraction for pilgrims and tourists visiting Amarkantak. Though the fall is not a lofty one but is bound to catch your eyes because of its bewitching whiteness.
Kabir Chabutra – Believed to be the place where the great Indian saint Kabir performed meditation and attained divine light, Kabir Chabutra is one of the most holy places for the followers of Kabir. All religious minded people in pilgrim tour of Amarkantak do make it a point to visit this sacred place associated with one of the great saints of India, Kabir. The place gained further significance as Kabir met the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak and discussed spiritual matters pertaining to human life.

Mai Ki Bagiya – This natural garden in the midst of dense forest at a distance of about 1 Km from Narmadakund is a huge attraction for tourists and pilgrims. Tour of Amarkantak is certainly incomplete without visiting this garden where there are Mango trees, Banana trees, varieties of Roses etc. Named in the honour of goddess Narmada, this beautiful natural garden enjoys large influx of visitors throughout the year.
Jwaleshwar Temple – This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated at a distance of about 8 Km from Amarkantak on the road to Shahdol. The temple in the midst of deep forest is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and the Shivlings here is said to have been planted by Lord Shiva himself. The origin of River Johilla is nearby and the place provides some panoramic vistas.

How to reach Amarkantak?

By Air – Dumna airport of Jabalpur at a distance of about 240 Km is the nearest airhead from Jabalpur.
By Rail – Though Pendra Road at a distance of about 17 Km from Amarkantak is the nearest railhead, but Anuppur at a distance of about 42 Km on the south-western railway is the more convenient one.
By Road – Amarkantak is well connected with cities like Shahdol, Umaria, Jabalpur, Rewa, Bilaspur, Anuppur and Pendra Road.

Where to stay at Amarkantak?

MPSTDC Holiday Home – undoubtedly the best place to stay in Amarkantak is the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation run Holiday Home. Apart from having all the amenities of modern living, this holiday home also provides the option of staying in tents. For booking contact at 07629-269416.
Shree Mata Sadan – It is a budget accommodation of Amarkantak at a very cheap rate. This economical yet clean staying option needs to be booked beforehand. For booking contact at – 07629-269520.
Sarvodaya Rest House – This is another budget staying option of Amarkantak. For booking contact at its Kolkata office at 033-22127715.
Hotel Prince – It is another good staying option of Amarkantak. This clean and economical hotel can be booked at 07629-269430.