Mumbai to Muraura by Car - Day 3

The plan was to leave for Sanchi at 07:00. Like disciplined tourists we stuck to our schedule and were at Sanchi by 08:00.

            Sanchi is famous for the Stupas constructed by King Ashoka. The Archaeological Survey of India has done a great job in resurrecting and maintaining the age old Stupas. For a detailed tour of Buddhist ruins you are welcome to our village (no charges apply).

We spent around one hour at Sanchi and were back to Bhopal by 10:00. Car cleaning, stocking up on water and breakfast of toast and omelette taken care of, we were ready to leave for Jabalpur by 11:00.

Bhopal to Jabalpur

Route

Bhopal – Obaidullaganj – Bari – Udaipura – Shahpura – Jabalpur

            The approx. 250 Km drive from Bhopal to Jabalpur was fairly uneventful though gradually the landscape turned hilly and more picturesque. The trees wore a barren look after shedding their leaves, but there was a stretch where we saw lots of trees (don’t know which) which were laden with yellow green flowers even though they did not have a single leaf.

We did not risk having another terrible lunch in a dhaba and munched on chips and cookies etc. while driving. By and by we reached Jabalpur at 17:00 and were at the Narmada Jacksons hotel by 18:00 (the mandatory one hour search!) where arrangements for our stay had been organised. The hotel is part of a chain of hotels across India owned jointly by ITC and the Maharaja of Jodhpur. It has been in existence since British days when it was known as Jacksons Hotel.

            As we had not had lunch our stomachs were grumbling, so we had an early dinner of some delicious Chapli Kabab, Tandoori Chicken, Dal & Roti and after finalising the details of visiting Bheda Ghat early the next morning went off to sleep in the cool confines of our room. The plan was to pack up and leave the hotel at 07:00 the next day, visit Bheda Ghat and drive on to Kanha National Park.