Chhatarpur

About:

Chhatarpur District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state of central India located at 24.06° & 25.20°N 78.59° & 80.26° E respectively. The town of Chhatarpur is the district headquarters.

The district has an area of 8,687 km², and a population of 1,474,633 (2001 census), a 27% increase from its 1991 population of 1,158,853. Chhatarpur District is bounded by Uttar Pradesh state to the north, and the Madhya Pradesh districts of Panna to the east, Damoh to the south, Sagar to the southwest, and Tikamgarh to the west. Chhatarpur District is part of Sagar Division.

The major crops of the Distcit are Wheat, Paddy and Jowar, Main vegetations are Jamun, Teak, Mahua, Kher and Achar. Total sown area of the District is 4,48,078. Heotares and Net Irrigated Area is 1,46,217. Total forest area of the district is 659.52 Sq.Kms. The Annual Avarage Rainfall of the District is 1000-1200 m.m. Pyrophite Dysphor, Okar and Chhui Mitti are the minerals found in the District.

The district is famous worldwide for the superb temples at Khajuraho. Khajuraho is also a UNESCO world heritage site visited by thousands of visitors everyday.

Location info:

History of Chhatarpur

The District Chhatarpur was known after the name of the great warrior of the region Maharaja Chhatrasa. This District was previously under the then Vindhya Pradesh. However at the time of formation of the Madhya Pradesh, it was included in Madhya Pradesh on 1st November 1956.

Before Indian Independence, present-day Chhatarpur district consisted of a number of princely states, including Bijawar, Chhatarpur, Gaurihar, Alipura, and Lugasi, along with most of Charkhari and portions of Panna and Ajaigarh. After independence, the rulers of the states acceded to the Government of India, and the district became part of the new state of Vindhya Pradesh. Vindhya Pradesh was merged into Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 1956. Nowgaon was declared capital of Madhya Pradesh, after six month Bhopal became the capital of Madhya Pradesh.

Chhatarpur is named after the Bundela Rajput leader Chhatrasal, the founder of Bundelkhand independence, and contains his cenotaph. The state was ruled by his descendants until 1785. At that time the Ponwar clan of the Rajputs took control of Chhatarpur. The state was guaranteed to Kunwar Sone Singh Ponwar in 1806 by the British Raj. In 1854 Chhatarpur would have lapsed to the British government for want of direct heirs under the doctrine of lapse, but was conferred on Jagat Raj as a special act of grace. The Ponwar Rajas ruled a princely state with an area of 1118 square miles, and population of 156,139 in 1901, which was part of the Bundelkhand agency of Central India. In 1901 the town of Chhatarpur had a population of 10,029, a high school and manufactured paper and coarse cutlery. The state also contained the British cantonment of Nowgaon.

After the independence of India in 1947, the Rajas of Chhatarpur acceded to India, and Chhatarpur, together with the rest of Bundelkhand Agency, became part of the Indian state of Vindhya Pradesh. Vindhya Pradesh was merged into the state of Madhya Pradesh in 1956.

Educational Institutions in Chhatarpur:

Most of the colleges in Chhatarpur district are affiliated to University of Sagar, which is also known as Dr. Hari Singh Gaur University Sagar. They offer graduation and post graduation courses in the faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce, Education and Law. Govt. Maharaja College also offers doctorate (PhD) programs in Arts and Science faculties.

Langauges:

How to reach Chhatarpur?

Nearest Railway Station:

The Railway Station is situated at Harpalpur on Jhansi Manikpur line.The nearest rail heads are Harpalpur (94 km.) and Mahoba (61 km.), Jhansi (172 km.) for those travelling from Delhi and Madras. The Satna District (117 km.) is the nearby rail head for the people coming from Mumbai, Calcutta and Varanasi through Mumbai-Allahabad line of the Central Railway.

Nearest Airport:

Nearest airport is at Khajuraho

Road Transport:

Khajuraho is well connected by regular buses with Satna, Harpalpur, Jhansi and Mahoba.

Tourist Attraction of Chhatarpur:

The district is home to Khajuraho, the famous temple city created by the Chandela clan of Rajputs in the tenth century. Other notable locations are Jatashankar, Bambar Bainiji, Arjunkund, Naogaon (Nowgong), Maharajpur, Ken Gharial, Bijawar, Chachai Waterfall, mata temple Harpalpur, and Hanuman Tauria.

* Khajuraho, a popular tourist spot is near Chhatarpur.
* Dhubela, A Museum 15 KM from Chhatarpur
* Jatashankar, A holi place Near to Bijawar
* Bhimkund, A beautiful place for Natural water tank. Near to Bajna.
* Raneh Fall, A water fall Near to Khajuraho
* Hanuman Tauria , A Hanuman tample
* Bambar Baini, Ancient temple on a hill in Laundi

Kandariya Mahadeo:

The largest, most typical Khajuraho temple. It soars 31 m high. This temple is dedicated to Shiva. The sanctum sanctorum enshrines a lingam. The main shrine is exquisitely carved and features in delicate details, gods, goddesses, celestial maidens and lovers. Particularly noteworthy are the entrance arch, the ceilings and pillars of the interior compartments.

Chaunsat Yogini:

This is the only granite temple and earliest surviving shrine of the group (900 A.D.) It is dedicated to Kali. Only 35 shrines are available now out of original 65 shrines. Another Kali temple (originally dedicated to Vishnu) is the Devi Jagdambe Temple.

Chitragupta Temple:

Facing eastwards to the rising sun, the temple is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. The image of the deity in the inner sanctum is particularly imposing; five feet high, and driving a horse-drawn Chariot. The group scenes depict royal processions, hunting scenes and group dances, reflecting the lavish lifestyle of the Chandela Courts.

Vishwanath Temple:

A three-headed image of Brahma is enshrined in this temple. The approach is equally impressive, with lions flanking the Northern and Elephants in the Southern steps that lead up to it. A Nandi bull faces the shrine.

Lakshmana Tample:

The lintel over the entrance of this beautiful Vaishnavite temple shows the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort. The finely craved sanctum has a three-headed idol of Vishnu’s incarnations Narsimha and Varaha. This boar incarnation also appears in a Nine-feet-high statue at the Varaha Temple.

Matangeswara Temple:

The temple is still a living places of worship. It is dedicated to Shiva. This temple has an Eight-feet-high lingam and is outside the precincts of the Western Group.

Parsvanath Temple:

The group’s largest Jain Temple and exquisite in detail. The sculptures on the Northern outer wall are particularly noteworthy. The themes depict in charming detail, every day activity. Within, a throne faces the bull Emblem of the first tirthankara, Adinath. The Parsvanath image was installed in 1860.

Ghantai Temple:

This Jain temple has a frieze which depicts the 16 dreams of Mahavira’s mother, and a Jain goddess on a winged Garuda.

Adinath temple:

This temple is dedicated to the Jain Saint, Adinath. The temple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including yakshis. The three Hindu temples of the group are the Brahma, containing a four-faced lingam, the Vamana, which is adorned on its outer walls with carving of apsaras in a variety of sensuous attitudes; and the Javari, with a richly-carved gateway and exterior sculptures.

Duladeo Temple:

This temple is dedicated to Shiva. The apsara and ornamented figures are the temple’s most striking features.

Chaturbhuj Temple:

This temple has massive, intricately-carved image of Vishnu in the sanctum.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Chhatarpur:

Ramada Khajuraho Chhatarpur:

Ramada Khajuraho Chhatarpur is a government-approved 5-Star hotel. Ramada Khajuraho Chhatarpur has a total of 82 rooms.

Hotel Jhankar Khajuraho Chhatarpur:

Hotel Jhankar Khajuraho Chhatarpur is located 4 kms. from Khajuraho Airport, 175 kms from Jhansi Railway Station, and 0.5 km. from Khajuraho Bus Stand. Hotel Jhankar Khajuraho Chhatarpur has a total of 19 rooms. Hotel Jhankar Khajuraho Chhatarpur has 1 restaurant serving Indian, Chinese, Continental, Vegetarian, and Non-vegetarian. cuisines, and 1 bar. Amenities for Hotel Jhankar Khajuraho Chhatarpur include room service, doctor on call, and fax.