We reached Khajuraho in the morning around 7 AM. After reaching the hotel, I took rest for a while. The journey was a bit difficult since I was not able to sleep properly in that berth on the train. I met a Swiss guy Andi on the train who was traveling to India. And surprisingly, when I reached the hotel, I found him at the reception since he too was staying there. We were 7. We two, I and Rishi were staying there at this place and the rest of the others were staying at a hotel a couple of kilometers out of Khajuraho. After breakfast, we planned to visit Pandav Waterfalls and Caves.
We all met at the breakfast and decided what to do. The marriage was on the same day in the night. Only we three I, Rishi, and Gunjan had to go. So, we decided that first, we would go to Pandav Waterfalls and Caves and Kalinjar Fort and from there, we would go to the marriage. I met Gunjan’s friends at breakfast since I couldn’t meet them properly at the station. After breakfast, we hired a cab till night. Also, we hired two scooty.
Pandav Waterfalls and Caves – Into the lap of Nature in Panna
So, I and Rishi left for Pandav falls from Khajuraho in the cab we hired. It is located at a distance of around 31KM from Khajuraho and can take around one to one and a half hours to reach there. Passing through many small villages, I saw the life of the people there. The road was spirally constructed with many ups and downs. It was a kind of bumpy ride. I have lived my life in the village, but haven’t seen villages like the ones I saw on the way. People still live a very secluded life here. It was a clear glimpse of what I have studied in books.
So, after a long uncomfortable ride, we reached Pandav Falls. The way was very desolated and forested. Surrounded by trees and reserve areas, Pandav falls and caves are located on the road. When we reached there, we tried to contact Gunjan who was supposed to come on scooty with others. But our phones lost the network. Somehow Rishi managed to call him and found that he met with an accident on the way. I don’t usually travel with friends but this time I did.
Basic Information for Visitors – Pandav Waterfalls
Entry Fee – 25 INR
Bike Rent Fee – 100 INR
Transportation from Khajuraho – Cab
Distance from Khajuraho – 31KM approx
We bought the tickets which cost us 25 INR each. The main waterfall from the entrance gate is at walking distance of 10 minutes. It was hot and we chose to rent a bike to reach there. This cost us 100 INR. There are stairs which lead to the main waterfall and one has to walk up there. So, we parked our bike and walked up there. The way was a bit long and I was damn exhausted by the heat. However, when I reached there, I was mesmerized by the vibes of nature. Though the waterfall didn’t have a good flow of water whatever it was, it was enough for me to forget the troubles I had during the journey. The rejuvenating water and cool breeze energized me and I was totally lost in the serenity of nature. Traveling to this place was a wonderful experience.
Read Here – Five Reason Why You Should Travel Alone
A Brief History of Pandav Falls and Caves, Panna
Pandav Waterfalls is located inside the Panna Tiger Reserve periphery, in Panna district of Madya Pradesh. The height is almost 100 ft. The falls are located on the tributary of Ken River. Located around 12KM away from Panna district, Pandav Falls is very adjacent to the mini canyon of India, Raneh Falls. As per the legends, it is believed that Pandava came here during their time period of exile and stayed there. There are small caves and a small pond in the middle. It is a tourist attraction but the major one is Raneh Falls.
The place is also a natural habitat of several wild animals, especially bears. I could hear the cacophony easily and that’s what I always love. I often tend to search for places that aren’t infected by heavy commercialization and still hold their natural vibes. The water was turquoise; I watched fishes playing with each other. I just wanted to sit there and chill for some time. But since we had to leave for our next destination and then to the marriage, we were short of time. From there, we headed to Kalinjar Fort. I wanted to travel alone but this wasn’t a solo trip. However, I desire to come back here alone.
Read Here – Things to do while Travelling
Things to Remember before going Pandav Falls
Since Pandav Falls in located in a secluded area in the forest, in the periphery of Panna Tiger Reserves, there are no restaurants around. So, it is better to carry your own eatables. You may find light snacks, but advisable to have your own backup. Also, the only mode of transportation is hiring a cab or scooty. The phones may not catch signals in this area, so be prepared for that also. There is a total of 166 steps to reach the main falls.
Mythological Tales behind Pandav Waterfalls and Caves
As I told before, this place is said to be visited by Pandav during their exile period (from epic poem Mahabharta). And that is why this place has been named after them. The place isn’t much popular among the tourists so it is unexplored and is not littered and clean. The lake is said to be structured in heart shape and this gives it a romantic touch. As per the mythological beliefs, Arjuna made this fall by his arrow by cutting rock and that made the falls.
