City of Jabalpur, famous for its marble rocks, is a city that is associated with many pleasant surprises. The holy river Narmada is the lifeline of the city and gives the city its spiritual flavour. An evening aarti by the holy river with numerous diyas illuminated together is one of the most serene and elevated experiences one can ever have. While in Jabalpur, one can soak in this divine experience at Gwari Ghat. Gwari Ghat, a holy place, is also dotted with many shrines making it a must-visit spot during the tour of Jabalpur. During the aarti, life-size diyas are lit up at the ghat. The pleasant river breeze at night, the aroma of the incense sticks, the musical instruments and the chanting of hymns together create a powerful spiritual experience and the sight is a visual treat for the tourists.
An Immersive Experience By The Holy Narmada!
The local government had steps built along the river so that visitors can sit and enjoy the Narmada Aarti. The sight of beautifully decorated and illuminated boats waiting for guests on the banks of the ghat creates a magical and joyous atmosphere. When compared to the boat journey in Bhedaghat, the experience at Gwari Ghat is quite different. While the experience at Gwari Ghat is more about the divinity and peace that strikes the soul, the experience at Bhedaghat is more about the colloquial and rhyme scheme that puts you in a good mood. The aarti begins when night falls and lasts for around 30-35 minutes. The “Ma Narmada Ji ki aarti” is performed in the ghat and prayers are offered to the sacred river because Narmada is worshiped as the goddess here. The crowd pledges to maintain the river clean and pollution-free at the end of the aarti, giving it the perfect culmination.
Gwari Ghat And Narmada Parikrama
Devotees have been performing the Narmada Parikrama, or circumambulation of the sacred river Narmada, for generations. After collecting Maa Narmada’s water in a vial, pilgrims begin walking from any point along the river and proceed with the river on their right. The Narmada Parikrama, a 15-day journey around the river’s sacred sites, is organised by Madhya Pradesh Tourism, and Gwari Ghat is one of its prominent pit stops. One can complete the circumambulation on foot, on car, or by bus, passing by revered locations including Amarkantak, Gwari Ghat, Mandla, Omkareshwar, Godhra, and Ujjain.
Gwari Ghat Has One of The Cleanest River Banks In India
The Gwari Ghat underwent a revamp and is impressively clean. The citizens of Jabalpur are committed to keeping the Narmada River clean at the Ghats. The aarti too is conducted in a systematic manner that shows the utmost reverence of the locals for Maa Narmada. The ghat is spacious and can accommodate a sizable crowd without feeling packed. In other words, there is a lot of calm here that enriches the entire experience.
How To Reach Gwari Ghat?
Gwari Ghat is 14 kilometers from the Jabalpur bus stand and can be reached in following ways:
- It takes approximately 2.3 hours via boat ride from Tilwara Ghat
- It is 40 minutes away from Bhedaghat
- The ghat is 9 kilometers from Jabalpur Junction
Other Places to Visit In Jabalpur
Jabalpur is one of those places that has played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle. Food, history, and spirituality are the three foundations of Jabalpur. The city is filled with the spirit of passion, pride, and patriotism. It is a location that is enthralling by day and enchanting by night. Beautiful waterfalls, imposing forts, revered shrines, magnificent rocks, river banks, and other attractions can be found in Jabalpur. The following list includes some of Jabalpur’s must-see locations:
Beohorbada: This is where the Beohar Palace used to be located. The famous Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, who created the original draft of illustrations for the Indian Constitution, was born there. He was also referred to as the Indian Cultural Ambassador. The location is crucial since many nationalist operations were once carried out from here. Indian freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel would plan their movements in the chambers of this opulent mansion.
Tilwara Ghat: After the sad demise of Mahatma Gandhi, part of his ashes was immersed at Tilwara Ghat. This is also one of the most tranquil ghats in Jabalpur. On the serene waters of the Narmada, one can also take a shikara ride at the ghat. This area is a haven for bird lovers because of the diversity of birds that can be spotted here. From here, one may also take a 2:30 hour boat excursion to Gwari Ghat.
Bhedaghat: Bhedaghat is well-known for its stunning Marble Rocks and magnificent Dhuandhar Waterfall. The Dhuandhar Waterfall received its name from the hundreds of water droplets that were released into the air during the fall, creating a spectacular sight. ‘Dhuandhar’ comes from the word ‘dhuan’ or ‘fog’. A sight to be cherished forever is the Marble Rocks rising high from the ground with the Narmada River flowing in between. Throughout the ride, visitors can see marbles of all sizes, shapes, and colours. In addition to this, the boatman’s commentary adds to the overall enjoyment and memorability of the journey.
Dumna Nature Reserve Park: Spread over an area of around 1800 acres, this wonderland of greenery is home to rich flora and fauna. A spectacular combination of meadows, wetlands, and forests makes up this beautiful deciduous forest. This woodland is home to rare animal species including four-horned antelopes and rusty-spotted cats along with big cats like tigers and leopards.
Rani Durgawati Fort: Widely known as the Madan Mahal, the Rani Durgawati Fort is located on a hilltop and is a fort from the eleventh century. From this fort, you can enjoy a stunning view of the entire city of Jabalpur. On one hand, this fort offers views of lovely hills, and on the other, the city of Jabalpur is visible. To get to this fort, you must climb stairs and be prepared for a 30-minute hike.
The above are only a handful of attractions among the plethora of amazeballs in Jabalpur. Other places to visit in Jabalpur include Pisanhari ki Madiya, Balancing Rock, Chausath Yogini Temple, Kachnar City Shiva Temple. Do pay a visit to Jabalpur for an experience steeped in history, culture and spirituality.
How To Reach Jabalpur?
By Flight: Regular flights connect Jabalpur with major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Bhopal & Bilaspur.
By Train: All major trains passes through Jabalpur Junction.
To know more, visit the Madhya Pradesh Tourism website.