Complete travel guide: places of interest, history, how to reach, packages, photos and videos.
A sacred pilgrim town where nature, spirituality and history meet at the origin of three holy rivers
Amarkantak is a unique natural and spiritual heritage area located in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. It is the meeting point of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, with the Maikal Hills serving as the fulcrum, and is revered as the birthplace of three holy rivers - the Narmada, the Son and the Johila.
The name Amarakantaka is a combination of two Sanskrit words - amara (immortal) and kantaka (obstruction or thorn). The great poet Kalidas referred to it as Amarakuta, which over time evolved into Amarakantaka.
For centuries, sages, saints and devotees have walked this hallowed plateau to seek the source of the Narmada - a river considered older than the Ganges. The plateau, dotted with ancient Kalachuri-era temples, dense Sal forests, and rolling waterfalls, offers a rare blend of devotion and serenity.
The most sacred and beautiful places to visit on the holy plateau
The exact birthplace of the holy Narmada river. The temple complex houses the sacred kund from which the river emerges, with shrines dedicated to Narmada Mata.
A breathtaking 100-foot waterfall on the Narmada, named after sage Kapil Muni who is believed to have meditated here. Wrapped in dense Sal forests.
A spiritually charged temple built on the principles of the sacred Shri Yantra, dedicated to Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati, drawing devotees year-round.
Well connected by road, rail and air across Madhya Pradesh
Nearest railway stations are Pendra Road (17 km) and Anuppur (48 km), both well connected to major cities across central India.
The nearest airport is Jabalpur (245 km), with regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal and Hyderabad. Raipur is another option.
Smooth road connectivity from Shahdol, Bilaspur and Rewa. State buses and taxis are easily available from nearby districts.
Handcrafted itineraries by M.P. Holidays - customised to your dates, budget and pace
Centuries of devotion, royal patronage and natural majesty
Mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures as the divine plateau, Amarkantak is considered one of the most sacred spots in India - the source of the Narmada, a river worshipped as a goddess.
The Kalachuri kings of Tripuri built a magnificent group of temples at Amarkantak, many of which still stand today as fine examples of medieval north-Indian temple architecture.
The classical Sanskrit poet Kalidas refers to this region as Amarakuta in his works, attesting to its spiritual reputation across the subcontinent for nearly two millennia.
Today Amarkantak is among the most important pilgrimage and eco-tourism circuits of Madhya Pradesh, blending temple darshans, waterfall trails and serene forest walks.
The Amarkantak plateau is part of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, protecting its rich Sal forests, medicinal plants and the catchment of the holy rivers.
Glimpses of the holy plateau - slide to explore
A glimpse of the holy plateau and its timeless rivers
Amarkantak packs temples, river origins and waterfalls into one small hill town. These are the places every visitor should keep on the list, and our drivers know the best time of day for each one.
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🔍From medieval royal temples to the garden where Goddess Narmada is said to have played as a child, Amarkantak’s history is written in stone and legend.
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🔍🔍Amarkantak is the meeting point of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, with the Maikal Hills as the fulcrum, and the rare place where three rivers rise together.
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🔍Around the Narmada kund and across the town, these shrines form the daily rhythm of Amarkantak. Tap any temple to see it up close.
Jwaleshwar Mahadev
Kabir Chabutra
Keshav Narayan Temple
Narmada Kund Shiv Temple
Pataleshwar Mahadev
Sri Yantra Mandir
Shri Ram Janki Temple
Siddheswar Mahadev
Trimukhi Temple
Vedmata Gayatri Temple
Annapurna Temple
Durga Temple
Eleven Rudra Temple
Guru Gorakhnath Temple
Maa Chandika TempleLet our Madhya Pradesh specialists build the trip around your dates, budget and pace.
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