Morena

The district is drained by the important rivers like Chambal, Kunwari, Asan and Sank. The Chambal which originates in the Indore district forms the north-western boundary of Madhya Pradesh with Rajasthan. Indian Travel Agent offers Visit India and explore India.

A wild river, broken hills , deep ravines and to top it all the violent legends of man and beast. Welcome to the Chambal. A rugged, raw, untamed, wilderness right in the heart of India.

Flowing through the length of 435 kms. National Chambal Sanctuary is in three states of M.P. , U.P., and Rajasthan. The river Chambal is one of the country's most beautiful and least polluted river systems.

Places of Interest
Morena and Gwalior are the Railway stations on the Delhi-Mumbai railway line. The nearest Aerodrome from Morena headquarters of the Chambal division is Gwalior which is at a distance of 46 kms. from Morena. Morena, the headquarters of the Chambal division stands at the Agra-Bombay National Highway between Gwalior and Agra. Experience India with Indian Travel Agent.

Morena is situated in the Chambal valley. Distt. Morena has a few archeological spots with some monuments from the Mahabharat era to the medieval age. These monuments are the part of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Some of the places are as follows :

Sihoniya (The capital of the Kachwahas) Pahadgarh (Cave paintings in the cave shelters)

Sas-Bahu Abhilekh reflects that Suhoniya known as Sihoniya today was the capital of Kushwahas. The Kachwaha kingdom was established in the 11th century between 1015 to 1035 A.D. The Kachwaha king Kirtiraj got a "Shiv Temple erected at Sihoniya. This temple is known as the "Kakan Math" It stand on a spot two miles away from Sihoniya in the north west of Distt. Morena. It is said that Kakanmath was built by king KirtiRaj to fulfill the will of Queen Kakanwati. It is 115 ft. high and is built in the Kajurho style.

Jain Temples : Sihoniya is a holy place of the Jains. In the east of the village, there are the ruins of the Jain temples of the 11th century A.D. In these temples there are statues of the Tirthankars such as Shantinath, Kunthnath, Arahanath, Adinath, Parshvnath and others. The main temple has three statues : Shantinath, Kunthnath and Arhanath of 10 to 15 ft. in height. They are of 11th century A.D.

Kutwar Likhichhaj
Kuntalpur known as Kutwar is the biggest ancient village of the Chambal valley. It is just like Hastinapur, Rajgraha and Chadi of the Mahabharat period. The ancient Amba or 'Harrisiddhi Devi' temple and a crescent shaped Dam erected on the river Asan are the beautiful visiting spots of Kutwar.Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.

Padawali (Gupta Period) Nareshwar-Norar
After Naga period, the Gupta empire was established in this area. The 'Gotra' of the emperors of the Gupta dynasty was 'Charan'. 'Gharon' village was inhabited near modern Padawali. Around Gharon there are the ruins of several temples, houses and colonies. This new area of population is known as Padawali because it is surrounded by several hills. Here was a magnificent ancient Vishnu Temple which was later converted into a big 'Garhi'. The terrace, the courtyard and the assembly hall of this temple are the 'epitome' of ancient culture. The standing statue of a Lion on the ruined gate seems to say that there was a time when he used to watch the temple with his companion at its gate. More than fifty monuments of different kinds can be seen at Padawali up to the valley of Bhuteshwar.

Mitawali Nurabad (The Monuments of Mughal Period)
In the north of Naresar, there is a sixty four Yogini temple situated on the hundred feet high mountain. It is a wonderful circular construction of 170 feet radius on the style of Delhi's parliament house. Attached to circular verandah there are sixty four rooms and a big courtyard in the temple. In the centre of the temple there is the circular temple of Lord Shiva.

The Fort of Sabalgarh The Other places of Interest
Twelve miles away from Pahargarh in the south east there is a chain of 86 caves and cave shelters. They are said to be contemporary of cave shelters of 'Bhim Baitka' of Bhopal. In the beginning of civilisation people got shelter in these caves. Seeing the scene of men and women, birds and animals, hunting and dancing in the cave paintings it appears as if human art flourished in the valley of Chambal in the pre historic period and it searched undiminishing colours for its expression.

National Chambal Sanctuary
The National Chambal Sanctuary was formed to protect this pristine river ecosystem, complete with its varied flora and avifauna. With its headquarters at Morena, M.P., the Chambal river which is mainstay for the entire wildlife of the sanctuary harbours a variety of aquatic life like the elusive Ganges River Dolphin, Crocodile ( Muggar), Gharial ( Gavelia Gangeticus ), Freshwater Turtles, River Otters and a various species of fishes. All of which can quite easily be seen by tourists within the sanctuary area, especially in the middle reaches in the downside of Rajghat Bridge on National Highway No. 3.

The Crocodile Centre at Deori, Morena nearby is the only one of its kind in the entire state of Madhya Pradesh and has recently been opened to public. The centre helps breed and rehabilitate Crocodiles and Gharials in the Chambal. The river boasts of a population of over 200 Crocodiles and 1600 Gharials. Active efforts are now to protect the Ganges River Dolphins.Tour Incredible India with Indian Travel agent.

The rare Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista Gangetica), the sole member of the Cetaceans group is one of the main attraction of the sanctuary. So called the queen of Chambal, the Dolphins inspite of being blind can be seen pursuing their playful antics in the water while coming out to breathe for air. The Chambal sanctuary is one of their safest breeding areas. And one has to really lucky to sight one while cruising in the Chambal.
The surrounding environs of the river are a true bird watchers delight. During the season (November-March) one can see thousands of migratory and resident birds flock at the shores of river. At least 150 species of birds have been identified. Species of birds in abundance are the Bar-headed Geese, Brahmini Duck, Common Teal, Pelicans, Flamingoes and Cormorants. One can have an easy sighting of the Indian Skimmer- the highest population of which in the world is found in Chambal.

Tourists to the sanctuary can enjoy its many sights by motor boats specially provided by the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh. Complete safety within the peripheries of the sanctuary is ensured by the local authorities. And one can freely enjoy the natural wonders of the sanctuary which during the 50's and 60's was largely hidden due to the presence of dacoits.Indian Travel Agent offers Visit India and explore India.

Stringent measures to protect the fragile ecosystem of the sanctuary are followed by the authorities. The visitors are also advised not to disturb, spoil the serenity of the surrounding environs or help in poaching activities directly /indirectly.

The National Chambal sanctuary can be easily reached by road, rail and air.
By road : 65 kms. South of Agra. 55 kms. North of Gwalior on Highway No. 3
By rail : 270 kms. South of Delhi.
By air 2: The nearest airport is Maharajpur at Gwalior (50 kms. Away )