When old age starts descending upon you, you are invariably drawn to God. The mystery of after life and death starts haunting you and no matter how indifferent you have been to pilgrimages all your life, you feel like taking one. An atheist for the most part of my life, I had never thought, I too would fall for the bait after retirement and head to “Teerthraj” Amarkantak, to muse over the persistent questions that had begun to weave a formidable web in my mind. Solitude was the foremost requirement to serve the purpose and hence, I booked a homestay and thankfully, I managed to find a fine one. Every bit modest and comfortable, it had a semblance of a hermit’s shrine which spurred me to seal the deal, within 5 minutes of enquiry.

On reaching my place of stay, I was elated for it was very similar to what I had thought. The cozy rooms provided a grand view of the hills and dense forests. It is really an abode that can prepare you for Nirvana. So, after unpacking and resting for a while, I began the holy adventure that took me to many places, some soaked in natural beauty while some covered with sacred aura. Amarkantak seems like one of the finer places to visit in MP.

Narmadakund

This is the place from where the holy river Narmada originates. Carrying an open pool, known as Narmadakund, it has hundreds of temples dotting the area around the kund. The pantheon of Hinduism resides here and I could sense a strange fascination for the multiple deities, who till now, never occupied a place in my mind. It is very calm here and if you want to meditate, you can easily do so. As you move further, you come across “Mai ki Bagiya”, a natural garden with different types of trees, dedicated to goddess Narmada. The Narmada adds to the charm of Amarkantak, making it a must visit among places to visit in MP.

Temples of Kalachuri

Located south of the Narmadakund, these 10^th century temples are a delight to watch. Housing numerous deities, they are remarkable because of the “naturally occurring” Shiva Linga. You can only sit awe-struck, marveling the magnificent architecture of the temples that bear testimony to the enduring legacy of Sanatan Dharma.

Sonemuda

Origin of River Sone, Sonemuda is a sweet waterfall, 1.5 km from Narmadakund that does not intimidate despite its fall that goes down more than 100 hundred feet. The gurgling waters sing a lovely lullaby which I recorded in my cell phone and also captured the breathtaking sights of the valleys and the emerald green hills, from the viewing platform.

Kabir Chabutara

This shrine of saint Kabir satiated my waning angst completely. Tranquil and temperate, it instantly brings you at ease. Sitting here you can feel a fountain of bliss rising inside you that gets entrenched in your soul, at the waterfall nearby.

Kapildhara and Dudh Dhara Falls

Small in size but brilliant in beauty, these two waterfalls are storehouses of natural wealth. The densely forested mountains with Sal trees and numerous caves enlighten you bit by bit and every yearning comes to a halt.

Amarkantak proved to be a hidden gem among places to visit in MP and a cure for those stalking thoughts and completely cured my agitation. It was truly an ethereal experience.