Marble Rocks

About the Marble Rocks

The Marble Rocks stand on the banks of the Narmada at Bhedaghat, about 25 km from the centre of Jabalpur. Large limestone and magnesium rocks flank the river on both sides, and the water runs between them through a narrow canyon. The cliffs are what give the whole Bhedaghat area its reputation, and most visitors see them from the water rather than from above.

Travellers have long made a point of coming on a moonlit night, when the pale rock faces catch the light off the river. The site also carries archaeological interest: excavations at some of the ghats have turned up shells of dinosaur eggs. Film audiences may recognise the gorge as a shooting location for the Hindi film Ashoka, with Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

Points along the gorge

The boat ride

The usual way to experience the Marble Rocks is from a boat on the Narmada, moving between the cliffs rather than looking down on them. Boatmen point out formations along the way. This is the one activity most visitors to Bhedaghat come for.

Bandar Kudni

A point along the canyon where the two cliff faces come so close together that monkeys can cross from one shore to the other in a single jump. The name refers to exactly that. It is a short stop and easy to miss if nobody points it out.

Full moon nights

The cliffs are traditionally visited under a full moon, when the rock and the water both take on the light. Boat operation on moonlit nights depends on the operators and on water conditions, so this needs checking in advance.

Planning your visit

Bhedaghat is a short drive from Jabalpur and the gorge, the falls and the hilltop temple are all within the same small area, so most people see them in one outing.

• Budget time for the boat ride itself, plus waiting at the boarding point when it is busy.
• Confirm boat timings and whether boats are running before you travel, especially outside the dry season.
• Ask your boatman to point out Bandar Kudni so you do not pass it without noticing.
• If a moonlit trip is the plan, check locally whether night boating is operating.

Best time to visit

The gorge is at its best when the river is calm enough for boats to run, and the cliffs are most often described as being seen on a full moon night. Boating does not always operate when the Narmada is high, so the season and the water level both matter. Check locally before fixing a date.