Ashta Kali Mandir
One of the tourist attractions around Seoni is the Ashta Kali Mandir. A 43 km drive
from Seoni will bring you to this stone temple, whose architectural style laid the
foundations for the local Himandpanthi style of temple building. Himadri Pundit,
a legendary figure of the area is credited with having built the stone temple overnight!
Quite a feat and definitely worth a visit.
Pench National park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the satpuda hills
is named after Pench river,meandering through the park from north to south. It is
located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra, in the
districts of Seoni and Chhindwara. The undulating terrain of Pench is covered with
small hills and well stocked taek and mixed forest. The main flora being Teak (Tectona
grandis) , Saja (Terminalia tomentosa), Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), Lendia, Haldu,
Dhaora, Aonla, Amaltas etc. The ground is covered with a number of grasses, bushes,
herbs & shrubs. Dazzling white Kullu trees scattered around singly in the forest
is conspicuous among various hues of green. The old plantations of Teak & Bamboo
add orderly vistas in the otherwise general wilderness.
Pench Tiger Sanctuary
Pench National park , nestling in the lower southern reaches of the satpuda hills
is named after Pench river, meandering through the park from north to south. It
is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra , in
the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara. The undulating terrain of Pench is covered
with small hills and well stocked taek and mixed forest. The main flora being Teak
(Tectonagrandis) , Saja (Terminalia tomentosa), Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), Lendia,
Haldu, Dhaora, Aonla, Amaltas etc. The ground is covered with a number of grasses,
bushes, herbs & shrubs. Dazzling white Kullu trees scattered around singly in the
forest is conspicuous among various hues of green. The old plantations of Teak &
Bamboo add orderly vistas in the otherwise general wilderness.
The flow of Pench river stops in December, what remains are a few scenic and serene
pools in the river bed. There are a few perennial springs and tanks. At the southern
boundary of park, the Pench river has been dammed for Penchhydroelectic project
at Totladoh. At the maximum capacity the reservoir submerges 54 sq kms of the park
area. This had been the loss of best valley forest, which was once referred by Sir
Rudyard Kipling in his book named "Jungle Book". This large reservoir of Pench with
sporadic islands attract a number of winter birds from north.
Cheetal, SamBAR, Neelgai are commonly seen grazing on the open sites on roadsides
and banks of river & reservoir. Jackals can be seen in search of food anywhere in
park . Packs of wild dogs can also be seen occasionally . Herds of Gaur can be spotted
near streams and bamboo patches, more common during summer months. Langurs are very
common. Whereas Rhesus monkeys may be seen occasionally on the fringes There are
around 50 Tigers and 30 Leopards they are a shy lot and can be seen on roads and
near water pools of river during summer months. Pench boasts of more than 210 species
of birds including several migratory ones. Commonly seen are Pea fowl, Red jungle
fowl, Crow pheasant, Crimson breasted barbet,Redvented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo,
Magpie robin, Lesser whistling teal.
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