A drive to Pandav Falls and Pandav Caves can be aptly described as visiting a beautiful panna near Panna National Park. Panna is dubbed as a gemstone in English and the Pandav Falls and caves are a true hidden gem near Panna National Park, nestled in the Vindhyan Hills in Madhya Pradesh. These two natural wonders are located just 8 km from the Madla Safari Gate of the national park.
Spending a couple of days in Panna National Park commonly encompasses a mandatory visit to the heritage city of Khajuraho to marvel at and admire the architectural grandeur of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments. However, a day visit to the Pandav Falls and Pandav Caves from Panna National Park is completely worth the experience. Located about 43 km from Khajuraho and 5 km from the Mandla Gate of Panna National Park, this perennial waterfall is formed by a tributary of the Ken River. Standing approximately 30 meters tall, the waterfall is best viewed from its base. From the entry gate, a brief 5-minute drive brings you to the starting point of a descent to the waterfall. As you venture further, the terrain becomes noticeably dry. Reaching the bottom involves a 15-20 minute walk down a long flight of stairs, but the stunning natural surroundings make the effort worthwhile. At the base, you can marvel at the cascading water and explore the caves beneath the falls, historically significant as the refuge of the Pandavas during their exile.
There are two streams of waterfalls at this location. According to legend, the smaller stream was created by Arjun at the request of Queen Draupadi. The story goes that while the Pandavas were at this spot, they were desperate for water and on the brink of death from thirst. Queen Draupadi first asked Bheem to use his mace to draw water from the mountains, but he was sceptical and ignored her request. Draupadi then turned to Arjun, who shot an arrow into the mountains. To everyone's amazement, a fresh stream of water gushed out, flowing down the rocks. After quenching their thirst, Draupadi blessed this stream to flow eternally for the benefit of all living beings. Feeling humbled, Bheem then used his mace to create a larger waterfall. However, Draupadi did not favour Bheem's effort, which may be why the larger stream is seasonal abundant during the rains but nearly dry in summer.
The Pandava Falls cascades into a large, heart-shaped water tank below. The clarity of the water makes it easy to see the fish swimming within. Encircled by lush green forests, Pandava Falls and the nearby Pandava Cave offer a serene and picturesque setting that draws many visitors. The tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty of the area make it a popular attraction.
This is how you can plan a simple itinerary for a different experience -
Day 1 - Arrive at Khajuraho and engage the entire day in sightseeing at Khajuraho.
Day 2 - Drive to Panna National Park for a morning and evening safari.
Day 3 - Drive to Pandav Falls and Caves for a day visit and return to Khajuraho.
Day 4 - Depart from Khajuraho Airport or Khajuraho Railway Station.
