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Escape To India’s Secret Colonial Summer Retreat In The Hills

Cara Shrivastava

The words ‘summer vacay’ are often synonymous with beaches, pools and tans — unless you live in a coastal town, in which case this is just every other day. Yet, after a point the heat can get to you, which is when most Indians take to the hills, literally. The popular ones flash across various travel platforms and appear on several holiday itineraries but there’s one rare little nugget that has managed to escape everyone’s line of sight so far. Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh’s hill station which upon discovery in the 1800s, was made a summer retreat for the British. As the story goes, James Forsyth (British Army) set up camp here when he came across the region in 1857. Till date, the hill station maintains a military connection albeit obviously, with the Indian army.

Over the years, the cantonment the British set up back then remains in the unsuspecting hill station — replete with colonial heritage villas, churches, and picturesque views. Trekking is a popular activity for several, considering the Satpura range is also located here.

When Pachmarhi translates to ‘five caves’, you know a visit to a cave temple is a must here. It is also known for their nature reserves — several tigers and panthers have been spotted along the borders. The region is also quite popular for their waterfalls and natural pools. It may be hard to get to, but there are several buses from Bhopal and Indore. So, if you’re looking forward to a quiet getaway with pleasant weather and sights, look no further. As of now, the community is looking forward to setting up animal conservation retreats too.

For more information on this little hill station, you can visit this website.

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