Madhai Magic.

Have you ever sat under the open sky at night in the jungles away from the harsh artificial lights of the cities? Have you ever experienced the big bright stars shining in their perfect glory in the dark night sky just above your head, giving you a feeling that you could pluck them if you reach out? Have you ever breathed the clean fresh fragrance of the night air so crisp that you can actually taste it? Have you ever in this environ heard the nocturnal jungle sounds, as soothing and relaxing as a lullaby? Have you ever sat alone like this for yourself as company and contemplated on your life? Have you ever been at total peace with yourself? Have you, have you ever?

If not then please do so, life is short, so do not miss out the small pleasures nature has to offer. Find a place which offers all the above and you will be surprised to rediscover yourself. I found one for myself in ‘Madhai’ a few years ago and its magic is astounding. Tucked away in the foothills of Satpura, 130 kms from Bhopal, in the Satpura Wildlife Sanctuary, surrounded by Churna and Bori Wildlife Sanctuaries and Pachmari, the summer capital of the erstwhile Central Provinces of the British Raj, Madhai is amazing. Normal civilization stops at this side of the river Denwa (infested with crocodiles), which you have to cross on a motor boat to reach the other side which is a wildlife sanctuary. Once you cross over, you achieve isolation since you leave electricity behind. No gadgets work, no irritating mobiles as there are no signals. The place was mostly unknown to all till recently the Forest department of Madhya Pradesh decided to open it for public and has started developing it on the lines of the famous ‘Bandavgarh and Kanha Wildlife Resorts’.

Madhai is magical. With river Denwa on one side and the hills of Satpura range on the other, linking Pachmari through the dense forests of Churna and Bori, thick with Teak and Sal trees and the undergrowth providing the necessary camouflage for its plentiful wildlife. The amount of wildlife sighting you get here is astonishing. Though the sighting of Tigers and Panthers is not too common due to its spread area, the herbivorous are abound with Sambers, Cheetals (Spotted Deer), Barking Deer, Blue bulls, Black Bucks, WildBoars, Sloth Bears, Langurs, Monkeys, Peacocks etc. Sometimes you get to see the vanishing Giant Squirrels also. But the most interesting are the rare Bison herds which roam freely in the foothills and the cool meadows in the summers. They are a majestic sight -- a special treat and if you are lucky you might come across the Albino Bison’s also. The beautiful pictures say it all.

Two nights in the surroundings of Madhai Forest Resthouse across the river or at the private resort on the periphery of the Sanctuary this side of the river Denwa by Retd. Conservator of Forests, Shri SP Dubey and Prashant (his son) who generally looks after the resort, two early morning and late afternoon Jeep/ Gypsy rounds of 25 kms in the jungles are more than enough to cleanse your ‘Body n Soul’ and rejuvenate for the next three months. The ‘contemplative’ nights, the fragrance and freshness of the air, the tasty and spicy rest house meals, the undulating bumpy Jeep/Gypsy rides and the sighting of the animals are just… ‘exhilarating’.

So go find your Madhai somewhere near your base and give a treat to your ‘mind and body’. Life’s calling; do not waste time as time is precious and irretrievable.

Photo credit : Vijay Chhiber