Hill Station. The very phrase invokes a certain laidback languor. Just those two words tell us how pleasant a summer retreat could be: with aesthetic buildings and the town redolent with an old-world charm.
Of course, the history of hill stations involves the British, who couldn’t take the summer heat and sought out salubrious locations in which they could retire for the hot months. It was Captain James Forsyth of the British Army who first spotted the Pachmarhi plateau, which was then developed into a hill station and sanatorium for British troops in the Central Provinces. It is no wonder that the town is known for its lovely colonial architecture. Government offices like the Tehsil Office, the Post Office, the Telegraph Office and the Dhoopgarh Forest Lodge are beautiful heritage structures.
Christ Church
You can’t miss it as you roam the cantonment area. The Protestant Church of Christ, known also as Christ Church, is a true remnant of British colonial architecture. Built around 1875, this is a Gothic-styled, red sandstone structure with the sanctum covered by a hemispherical, ribbed dome. Twelve exquisite stained glass panes depicting Christ’s last journey adorn the windows. Built at a slight elevation and surrounded by grounds, this is a serene spot. The church only opens on Sundays for mass, and so it would be best to plan accordingly. However the exterior is stunning too and is well worth a leisurely visit.
The Catholic Church
Pachmarhi’s Catholic Church is an evocative shrine. A relatively newer structure with a red and cream exterior, this was built in 1892. Located inside the cantonment in the army area, the building blends elements of French and Irish architectural design. Originally called the Church of Our Lady, it eventually began to be called just the Catholic Church. The interior has some stunning Belgian stained glass as well. The altar bears a gold cross and there is also a statue of Mary with baby Jesus. The atmospheric church also houses a cemetery where the graves date back to the World Wars.
Bison Lodge Museum
This lovely old structure with sloping roofs was the first building built in Pachmarhi by Captain James Forsyth in 1862. A devoted naturalist, the Captain saw a herd of bison or gaur in this area, thus giving the spot its name. It served as the headquarters of the Forest Department for more than half century. Today Bison Lodge is a museum that showcases the flora and fauna of Pachmarhi with taxidermy samples, photographs, models, maps and graphs. The museum also has an open-air theater with documentaries and presentations on wildlife. The surrounding garden is very pretty too. The museum also has a Wildlife and Cultural Interpretation Center.
Pachmarhi is 260 km from Jabalpur and 230 km from Bhopal. The nearest station is Pipariya (50 km) and it is also possible to reach here via Itarsi (150 km).