My Visit to Maihar in Madhya Pradesh in India — the offbeat heaven of Art and Nature
A little bit about Maihar first
Thanks to a good friend of mine who happens to be an Artist, I discovered this treasure trove of a place in the heartland of India, Madhya Pradesh. This artist friend of mine went to Art Ichol, Maihar for an Art Residency. Maihar is a small town in the Satna district in Madhya Pradesh. Maihar is situated at about 161 km from Jabalpur and 136 km from Khajuraho. Maihar is known for the temple of the revered Goddess Sharda situated on the Trikuta Hill, she is also known as the Maihar Devi.
How to reach Maihar from Delhi?
Maihar is about 783 km from New Delhi, the capital of India. It takes 14 hours by train to Maihar from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi. I traveled by Mahakoshal express which was 6–7 hours late on both sides due to foggy conditions in North Indian Winters. The train is the most convenient way to reach Maihar if one has time on hand and the love for Indian Railways journeys. There is no airport in Maihar. One has to travel from Jabalpur or Khajuraho which are the nearest places to Maihar which has Domestic Airports well connected to most cities in India.
Where did I stay?
I stayed at the beautiful Sunderson House in Maihar. This heritage haveli is 100 years old, home of Smt. Ambica Beri Sunderson. Ambica Beri is an Art connoisseur, a philanthropist, recipient of the prestigious President of India’s Nari Shakti Award in 2017. She owns and manages various properties like the Famous Art Ichol and the Writer’s Retreat in Maihar which are like creative retreats for artists, writers, and sculptors. Art luminaries from all over the world get invited there.
Places I visited in and around Maihar
Art Ichol — It is an Art Museum displaying Art pieces, big and small, modern and heritage, simple and intricate by various Artists from all over the World, who have visited and stayed there. There is a fee of INR 50 for entry. There are mud huts constructed by the local Ichol village women, a luxurious tent, a rustic cafe, and staying quarters for Artists and workers. There is a small historic tomb situated right in the middle of this huge property giving the place the artistic vibe it deserves.
Mukundpur White Tiger Zoo — This zoo is situated at a driving distance of 66 km from Maihar town. It has various wild animals like bears, sambhars, spotted deers, 2 lions, and the world-famous and majestic the Whiter Tiger. There are about 4 of them here. Do you know, the origin of White Tiger is from the erstwhile kingly state of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh? Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa took it upon himself to conserve and breed the progeny of the first White Tiger named ‘ MOHAN ’. It is from here that White Tigers spread to various zoos and sanctuaries of India and the World.
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