The vast expanse of Narmada, her slightly greenish muddy waters, the bright blue sky with its cotton-ball clouds, and the majestic marble cliffs with their pristine white glow, all came together at Bhedaghat. There, Narmada cascades gracefully from 40 feet, swaying through the marble cliffs, creating a heavenly valley. Colourful boats, cheerful tourists, and beautiful marble artefacts completed the charm. I bought a ticket, stepped into a boat, wore my lifejacket like my other fellow passengers, and off went our boat. “Aa gaya marble ka sight, mai hu aapka guide, baithe rho tight, aur dekhte rho charo side” As the paddles splashed against the water, the serene environment sunk into a rhythm; the soft murmur of passengers, the ripples created by the paddles, and the slight whizz of the breeze along with the memorable commentary of the guide- “Upar pahad, neeche jhaad, aap kr rhe h Bhedaghat me Nauka Vihar.” Located 30 Km from Jabalpur, Bhedaghat is the perfect destination for local Jabalpuriyas on a one-day trip. Relatives and families, newly-weds, school and college friends; the place belonged to all. The mesmerising experience would repeat itself every time, ensuring no one visits Bhedaghat just once. Some of my fellow passengers seemed to know the entire journey by heart and were even mumbling the guide’s commentary. The guide immersed us all in the surrounding by pointing to different shapes in the rocks and telling a story behind them. For those who seemed sceptical, he quickly added, ‘Use your imagination.’ The afternoon sun was bright, and the marble rocks bathed in its golden rays. During some special occasions, the boat ride is also available at night, when the marble rocks are illuminated by the silvery moonlight. As we moved deeper into the valley, the marble became whiter and more daunting. Below us, the water was 400 feet deep. The paddles stopped for a second, leaving us in that pensive atmosphere. “Aye bacche log, haath andar!” The guide cautioned, stressing that these calm waters were home to several crocodiles. Mothers quickly clasped their children, and people shifted their attention towards the water, staring into the endless depth. Turning slightly left, the valley had become much more organised as we travelled between two parallel marble cliffs. As the boat moved forward, we could see Dhuandhar falls, the point where Narmada cascades. The gurgling white water seemed like foam from a distance, living up to its name from ‘dhuaan’ meaning ‘mist. The serene sound of the river had now become a bit menacing. “Ab yaha se aage nahi”, the guide told us; the flow would be too mighty. As we turned around, I froze to look at the picturesque before me. The scene which was the theme of so many showpieces and photographs, and artefacts, the entire marble valley visible from one frame. The cliffs seemed to have carefully arranged themselves, as families do for a photograph. We travelled towards the cliffs and soon found ourselves inside the lovely frame, ready to leave it soon. The returning journey was quiet, calm, and swift. The paddles weren’t required anymore; Narmada was taking us to the bank. The 30-minute boat ride was over in the blink of an eye. I dipped my hand in the river and felt the freshness. It was a journey through nature, its beauty, and its composure. For a while, I was away from the busy, clamouring streets and the stressful environment, completely immersed in the depth of nature. I climbed out of the boat and stared endlessly at the river and the towering marble cliffs, captivated by its simple complexity.
20 Apr 2023
Ambika Bapat
