Bandhavgarh Fort

Bandhavgarh fort is considered as one of the oldest forts in India, which dates back to as long as 2500Bc. You need to go trekking for at least one hour up to the fort but is well worth. One the way to the fort, you discover the monuments that have remained unfazed and unexplored so far. It is advisable to take a guide as many monuments or statues lie away from the main path.

Three small temples that are from the 12th century are also worth visiting besides watching the avatars. Although the temples are deserted, but the fort is still used for worshipping. One of the greatest saints of the 16th century, Kabir once lived and meditated here. The natural ramparts lend a breathtaking view of the scenery around the fort. You can also see vulture around the cliff that also draw blue rock thrushes and carg martins.

You need permission from the Maharaja of Rewa to visit the fort as it still belongs to him. The permission can be obtained locally and a trip to the fort makes the visit to Bandhavgarh complete. The resort staff carries your lunch while trekking up to the fort but it is chargeable.

Bandhavgarh park may be a new one but it is a very strange land with an ancient history. It has remained a center of human activity since early 2000 years. You can find references to this fort from ancient history books like Narad-Panch Ratra as well as the Shiv Purana. According to the legend, Rama stayed at the Bandhavgarh fort on his way back home after defeating Ravana. 

Bandhavgarh fort is believed to be engineered by two monkey architects who built the bridge between the island of Lanka and the main Indian land. He later handed over the fort to his brother Lakshman who became to be known as the “Bandhavdhish” or the “Lord of the Fort”. He is till date regularly worshipped as god at the temple in the Fort.