Going Places
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Pachmarhi: the 'Queen of the Satpura'
A verdant hill station resplendent with its green meadows and many streams and waterfalls, Pachmarhi situated in Madhya Pradesh is Central India's only hill station. Discovered by Captain James Forsyth in 1857, this idyllic hill station is also known as the 'Queen of the Satpura'. Situated at a height of 1000 m in a valley of the Satpura Range it is about 210 kilometres from Bhopal.
The many churches and cemeteries in Pachmarhi are a testament to its colonial past. Pachmarhi is famous not just for its forests, wild bamboo groves, verdant greenery and pleasant weather but also for its archaeological findings. Rock paintings have been found in the cave shelters of Mahadeo Hills dating back to 500-800 AD.
Among Pachmarhi's tourist attractions are the Indira Priyadarshini Point from which one can enjoy a picturesque view of Pachmarhi and the Jamuna Prapat falls. The Satpura National Park set up in 1981 and spread over 524 square kilometres is an attraction for wildlife lovers. It is home to a variety of birds and wild animals which include bison, tigers, leopards and four-horned deer. Pachmarhi was added to the list of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in May 2009.
April to July would be the best time to visit Pachmarhi. The Shivratri mela, celebrated during February and March at Mahadeo Temple about 10 kilometres from Pachmarhi is another highlight.
Access to Pachmarhi:
By Air: Bhopal which is about 195 kilometres travel by train or road is the nearest airport.
By Rail: Pipariya which is 47 kilometres away is the nearest railway station.
By Road: Daily bus connectivity is available from Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur and Pipariya.
Go Wild and Clicking!
Wildlife photography is challenging all right. But it calls for more than just creativity and concentration. While you’re constantly in the thick of action, here are some tips that could help you get better pictures.
- Do some groundwork of animal behaviour that you’re interested in photographing. This way you stand a chance of finding them easily
- While taking close-up shots, establish eye contact though your lens with the animal. This ensures that the larger part of the face is in focus
- Maintain a safe distance from the animal so as not to frighten it away. And remember, this also ensures your safety
- Try and include a variety of shots. One could be a portrait shot. Another could have the natural habitat in the background. The other could highlight the features of the animal
- Utilise low contrast film when the sun is intense and high contrast film when it is overcast or dull
- For starters, you could use a lens with a 300mm in focal length. Bird photography will require a 500mm lens. When the subject is in motion, use a shutter speed of at least 1/125, except if you are using a panning method
- Most important of all, be alert and prepared at all times! Else you may lose the animal. This is where your sharp reflexes come in handy
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