Jagriti Park, Katni

This is a unique park and first of its kind in katni. Such parks are common in metros but rare in small cities. Nice plantation and pavement made over an uneven land to make it purposeful for citizens. Many people come here for morning / evening park.

There is a nice science park and a duck train for children and a great fast food centre (Sai Seva Fast Food Centre) serving cold coffee, fruit juice, chowmin, petis, vadilal icecream etc. etc. It is an awesome park and an excellent job done by an NGO in Katni.

There is an entry fee of Rs. 10 per person. This park is opened from 5 am to 9 am in the morning and 4 pm to 9 pm in the evening. This park is located next to Government's Vishram Bhavan.

Katai Ghat is another superb picnic spot near Jagriti Park. This is located on the banks of katni river near a small hillock where a beautiful Radha Krishna Temple and Hanuman Temple is located.

Superb picnic spot Katai Ghat in Katni

Ancient Temples of Bilahri, Katni

I got an opportunity to visit the heritage of Bilahri on 24th October 2014. It is an ancient town which spread over 24 miles in the history by the name of Pushpavati Nagri. There are so many ancient temples in the town but most of them are ruined have lost their deities. Lots of ancient scriptures have also been found in this town.

King Laxman of Kalchuries dynasty made a huge reservoir in Bilahri. Today it is known as Laxman Sagar Jalasaya which has been renovated in 2009 under NREGA and made more beautiful and more purposeful to the local people.

There are two other important heritage points in Bilahri one is the Vishnu Varah Mandir and the other is Fort of Kamakandla. Both of these monuments have been declared to be of national importance under Archaelogical Sites and Remains Act and are now being protected well. First thing you would notice about such protected sites is the presence of a proper fencing, clealiness and 24X7 gaurding.

11th century Vishnu Varah Temple

Laxman Sagar Jalasaya, Bilahri

A forgotten ancient temple of Bilahri

 Sculpture on the outer wall

Another forgotten Ancient Temple of Bilahri

Vishnu Varah Mandir

Katni distt of madhya pradesh state has a history of glorious past. Vishnu Varah Mandir is a 11th cent. A.D. temple dedictaed to Lord Vishnu. The scriptures are mostly broken.

Vishnu Varah Mandir

Sculptures carved on a stone

Ruined Sculptures in temple

Fort of Kamakandla

This is a micro fort cum temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There used to be a big Shivling in it which has lost its Lingham and only Yoni is present today. Many ancient scriptures are put in the fort. When I visited the place the renovation work was under progress. Local people consider it a divine place and call it as Tapasi Math.

 Kamakandla Fort, Bilahri

Shiva Temple and Kamakandla Fort

 Kamakandla Fort under renovation

Superb sculptures in Kamakandla Fort

 

 

 

Nearby tourist places:

Katai Ghat picnic spot and Jagriti Park are located in the Katni main city while Vijayraghavgarh Fort is 35 kms from Katni. Roopnath Dham, Bahoriband is 20 kms from Bilahri.

Katai Ghat Picnic Spot, Katni

Jagriti Park, Katni

Vijayraghavgarh Fort, Katni

Roopnath Dham, Bahoriband

Katai Ghat, Katni

I have visited this spot many times as I have grown up in Katni only. This is a marvellous picnic spot and the top attraction of Katni Town. It is located near housing board colony and autos are readily available from bus stand / railway station. Situated on the banks of katni river at a small anicut in the midst of nice greenery it gives the complete feeling of being in the lap of nature.

Katai Ghat is dedicated to a beautiful Radha-krishna temple. Upstairs is a Hanuman temple and on the hill top is the chabutara of Siddh Baba and an aegle marmelos tree (bel patri). On the other bank of the river is located a Kol Samaj Mandir having a photo of Krantikari Birsa Munda which is also a great place to visit.

Katai Ghat

Radha Krishna Mandir, Katai Ghat

Siddh Baba ka Chabutra

A landscape from Katai Ghat

Shri Toofani Kol Puraini Mandir, Katai Ghat

Katai Ghat Suramya Udyan:

Suramya Udyan is a great park for children which is located near Katai ghat picnic spot. There is a great lake where you can enjoy a Nauka vihar (boat ride) and beautiful ducks can be seen flying there. Mini train of this park would be favourite for children. 

Recently a big swimming pool has been made in the park and another small pool for young children has been made. This park is opened from 12 noon to 8 pm everyday.

Nauka Vihar at Suramya Park

 

Lake of Suramya Park

 

Mini train in Suramya Park

 

Swimming Pool in Suramya Park

Flowers Nursery:

Do not forget to visit the flowers nursery which falls on the way. They have good collections of flowers and beautiful plants which are used to decorate gardens. I talked to the gardener, Mr. Mohan Rajak he is very knowledgeful and highly cooperative. You would recognize him quickly as he wears french cut beard and generally initiates discussion in english.

Entry gate of Katai Ghat Nursery