Places to Visit in Mandla Madhya Pradesh – Things to Do

Mandla has preserved slices of history ranging from prehistoric times to the Indian freedom movement very well. Mandla is a hidden gem in the map of Madhya Pradesh Tourism. There are fossils well preserved in fossil parks that date back to prehistoric times. Then there are temples from medieval times. People of Mandla have contributed a lot for the freedom struggle of India. While it may not be possible to see all of them if you have limited time to tour Mandla, here is a list of interesting things to do in Mandla in one day.

(This trip was done on Day 3 of Times Passion Tribal Trail.)

Narmada river bank Mandla

Mandla Best Things to See

Mandla Fort

Historic Mandla Fort with Panchamukhi Mahadev Temple at its base is one of the must visit places in Mandla. Mandla Fort is also known by the name King Narendra Singh’s Fort. Narendra Singh, a Gond King built this fort between the years 1691 to 1731. The fort seems to be in a scenic location today, but architecturally this location was chosen for its strategic importance. It is on the banks of the confluence of River Narmada and River Banjar. Both the rivers surround it from three sides, thus providing it protection from invaders.

We could manage to witness the sun sinking to its oblivion for the night. On the fourth side there was a deep ravine, where the water from River Narmada flowed. It was infested with crocodiles in those years.

Today that ravine is just a narrow stream, and most part of the fort is occupied by local inhabitants. The fort had eleven towers but many have crumbled down with time. Cylindrical minarets that have survived the attack of time and weather are a sight to behold.

Tour time required for the fort is around an hour. Best time to visit would be in the mornings and evenings. Avoid summer months.

Mandla Fort Madhya Pradesh

Panchmukhi Mahadev Temple

The Panchamukhi, meaning five faced, Mahadev Temple is at the base of the fort. Interestingly the idol got the name because of the four skulls that hang from Mahadev’s neck. It is a very serene idol with a faint smile on lips. Mahadev, who is Bhagwan Shiva, is depicted with ten arms and is seated on his vehicle Nandi. This is a very rare form of Shivji.

Daily prayers are offered in this shrine. There are no tickets required to enter the temple, however the shrine opens only for small duration in the mornings and evenings. Photography is permitted. Tour time required is less than ten minutes.

Related post: Panchamukhi Ganesha temple, Karnataka.

Panchmukhi Mahadev

Raj Rajeshwari Temple Mandla

Rajrajeshwari Mandir was constructed by Gond King Nizam Shah from 1749 to 1779. It is dedicated to kul devi (clan deity) Rajrajeshwari Mata. It is said that the kings before setting out for war offered prayers at this temple. Her idol is kept inside the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum). Just outside the garbha griha, inside the temple, along the walls you will find to your left the Sahastrabahu idol and to your right there is the idol of Goddess Narmada.

A word about idol of Goddess Narmada here: Behind the glittery finery and flowers there is a beautifully chiselled image of the four armed Goddess with features of Gond people who lived then. The stones chiselled to show the neatly pleated cloth with Gond art, her left hand placed on the head of the devotee who stands with folded hands. Her seated posture on the crocodile, her vehicle, exudes kindness and might. Along the walls there are idols of several Hindu Gods and Goddesses. It is easy to identify the idols if you know the name and different features of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

A very unique feature of these idols is that they are depicted in Gond tribal dresses. The features resemble that of Gond tribal people. The District Archaeological Museum is 2.2 km from this temple where you can see innumerable idols and statues built during Gond rule. Raj Rajeshwari temple is located on the opposite bank of River Narmada, when viewed from Mandla Fort. You have to take the circuitous route of 5 km crossing the River Narmada from Mandla Fort to reach Raj Rajeshwari Temple.

Raj Rajeshwari Temple Mandla

Fossil Collection

There are two parks in Mandla where a huge collection of fossils have been found. The Ghughua Fossil Park and Mandla Plant Fossils National Park (88.6 km from Rajrajeshwari Mandir) are worth a visit to explore the fossil collections.

There is a government museum which has large varieties of fossils of trees and ocean fishes and fruit of Coconut. As per museum details, the Mandla area was a sea, the fossils here are proof of that. Here are some pictures of interesting fossils that I could get.

India’s Freedom Struggle in Mandla

Rani Avantibai Lodhi of Ramgarh raised and led an army of four thousand against the British who had taken over the administration of her state in the Mandla region of Madhya Pradesh. The British were greatly outnumbered by the rebel forces.

The courageous martyr royals, King Shankar Shah and his son Raghunath Shah, used their poetry to trigger a rebellion against the British in the state. The Garha-Mandla Gondwana dynasty that ruled the Mahakaushal region is still remembered for the valorous tales of its rulers.

Local people pay their obeisance at a banyan tree where 21 freedom fighters were hanged to death for their revolutionary activities during the 1857 mutiny. On 24th Nov 2021, the local people assembled to light lamps as a mark of respect on their martyrdom date. See this – YouTube Video

The place is called Bad Chaurahe (meaning: chauraha – the intersection of four roads at Bad – Banyan Tree) or Ambedkar Chauraha, named after the huge statue of Ambedkar at the spot.

Moti Mahal Ramnagar

Moti Mahal of Ramnagar in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, was constructed in 1667 by Gond KingHriday Shah. The palace is strategically constructed on the banks of River Narmada, facing west towards the river. The palace is also known by the name Raja Ka Mahal, meaning King’s Palace. An inscription here lists out the names, the genealogy of Gond Kings, right from its founder Yaduraj to the last king Hriday Shah. Moti Mahal of Ramnagar in Madhya Pradesh is indeed a symbol of might of Gond dynasty. Madhya Pradesh state government declared it a protected monument in 1984.

Location – Moti Mahal is 20.8 km west of Mandla Fort.
Tour time – two hours.
Photography permitted.

Moti Mahal Ramnagar Mandla

Begum or Rani Ka Mahal Mandla

Begum Mahal, is a crumbling landmark of the medieval era, situated 3 km away from Moti Mahal. We couldn’t visit the monument because of time crunch, but the view of the structure from a distance was impressive enough to set our cameras clicking. It is known for its three storeyed rectangular masterpiece of Rajput-Mughal architecture. The palace was named Rani ka Mahal, meaning Queen’s Palace, as it was built for Chimney Rani. The marvellous black stones used to build Begum Mahal were taken from another spot of attraction, Kala Pahad (Black Mountain) situated 4 km from it.

But I wondered why the Queen had her palace so far away from the King’s!

Begum or Rani Ka Mahal – Mandla Best Things to See

Dal Baadal Mahal Ramnagar Mandla

Yet another crumbling monument we sighted from a distance was Dal Baadal Mahal in Ramnagar. This is located between Moti Mahal and Begum Mahal in Chaugan, Mandla. Though named as a palace it was a huge building made by Gond King Hriday Shah, to provide residence to his generals and soldiers, much like the barracks we have today.

The deterioration level of the three palaces show the importance and maintenance they had over the years. Dal Baadal Mahal is the most neglected of the three. The adventurous among you can surely make a detour to explore whatever is remaining of the palace.

Dal Baadal Mahal – Mandla Best Things to See

Chaugaan Maadhi – Temple for Exorcism in Mandla Madhya Pradesh

Chaugaan Maadhi is a tribal temple for exorcism for the tribals of the region. Devotees in nearby villages have huge faith in this temple. Ramesh Prathi, the panda (a priest in their language) sits in the shrine, most part of the day, chanting his prayers for the well being of the affected person. His family members have been the pandas of this temple for the past several generations. He trusts that his son will take this up after him.

To our inquisitive queries about how the exorcism takes place Ramesh Prathi said, “It is the strength in the prayers, there are no mantras to share. I am just a medium to convey the prayers to Devi Maa (Goddess Kali). Countless devotees have got cured here of different ailments, so all villagers hold this temple in high esteem.”

Spears and Trishuls inside shrine of Chogaan Maadhi – Mandla Best Things to See

The temple has a very unique architecture. Most instagrammers will find it confusing how to strike a pose here. No idols are worshipped, instead inside the main shrine there are spears and trishul. Just outside the shrine there is a huge ladder which is revered as a representation of Devi Maa. It is called the ladder to heaven in Chogaan Maadhi.

The population of Chogaan village is around 2,000. Gonds, Baigas, Pradhans, Lohars, and Ahirs all stay in Chogaan, spread over around 300 houses. It is located 40 km from Moti Mahal in Ramnagar.

How to reach Mandla

Nearest Airport is in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, distance Mandla to Jabalpur is 53 km.
By train – nearest railway stations Mandla Fort – 3 km, Limarua – 9 km, Nainpur Jn. – 37 km.
By road – You can hire private vehicles and get dropped off at Mandla. We travelled by road from Bhopal to Tamia to Mandla, with a night’s halt in Tamia.

Chougan Bus stop Mandla Madhya Pradesh

Where to stay in Mandla Madhya Pradesh

Many luxury resorts are available near Kanha Tiger Reserve. Additionally there are good budget hotels in Mandla.
Hotel Shikhar Palace Mandla – Moderate budget range, comfortable rooms with basic amenities, good food scene, worth the money spent. Distance from Mandla Fort 4.3 km.
Hotel Narmada Inn – Mid budget hotel, with basic neat amenities. Distance from Mandla Fort – 6.3 km.

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Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.