Panna Travel Essentials

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"The Diamond City"

Panna Tourism

Panna is a town situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh and holds a lot of historical significance. A former Gond settlement, Panna is a small city in the heart of the country, which boasts of being the only city with diamond reserves. Panna is also most notably known for the Panna National Park which is a world heritage site and a significant initiative towards wildlife conservation in India.


Panna is also famous for the temple of Padmavatipuri Dham, which is a haven for devotees or the numerous intriguing stories of the Bundela rajas. Another reason that Panna is well-known is for the legend of the peripatetic sage Mahamati Prannath and his disciples, who on reaching Panna realized the message of the awakening of one's soul.

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History of Panna

Initially, under the control of the Adivasi Gondi people, Panna passed into the hands of the Chandelas in around the 17th century. It is also believed that the sage Mahamati Prannath attained salvation here in the temple of the Padmavatipuri Dham. In 1732, upon the death of the Rajput king Chhatar Sal who was ruling Panna, one-third of the kingdom was passed to his ally - the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I. Panna was a part of British India in the 19th century, and following India’s independence, it became a district of Vindhya Pradesh, which later merged into the present-day state of Madhya Pradesh. A perfect blend of natural beauty and serenity, the lush green forests of Panna was also once the shelter of the Pandavas.

Tiger Reserve In Panna

The tiger reserve in Panna - The Panna National Park, is a popular tourist attraction. The deciduous forest of the reserve is home to a rich array of flora and fauna - including hyenas, leopards and over 200 species of migratory birds. Though the tiger population has been depleting over recent years, efforts are being made to replenish them by relocating tigers from other parts of the country to the forests here. Because Panna has lesser footfalls as compared to other reserves, the animals can be observed here more closely in their natural habitat.

Diamond Mining In Panna

The district of Panna has a large reserve of diamond deposits along the Vindhya mountain range. Despite not having very large diamonds, the Panna diamonds are extremely popular and are auctioned off every year in the month of January. They are classified into 4 categories - the clear Motichul, the orange tainted Manik, the green-tinted Panna and the sepia coloured Bunsput. The National Mineral Development Corporation manages the diamond mines in Panna.

Restaurants and Local Food in Panna

The kebabs, mawa-bati, khoprapak and malpua are the traditional dishes of Madhya Pradesh that will not only suffice to your hunger cravings better than you expect but also leave a lasting impression in your hearts.
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Suggested Itinerary for Panna

Day 1- Start your trip to Panna by visiting the beautiful Raneh Falls and Pandav Falls and Caves, and follow it up with a visit to the Ghantei Temple.

Day 2-  Spend your second day in Panna by paying a visit to the famous temples in Panna. These include the Ram Van Temple, Matangesvara Temple, Mahamati Prannathji Temple and the Padmavati Temple.  According to history, it is the abode of salvation of the sage Mahamati Prannath.

Day 3 - Visit the Ken Gharial Sanctuary, located at the confluence of the Ken and Khudar rivers. Catch a glimpse of the wide array of flora and fauna including gharials, spotted deer and nilgai.

Day 4 - Enjoy a safari at Panna National Park. The park also has many lodges and hotels which offer a pleasant and relaxing stay, including some great food and ambience.

Best Time to Visit Panna

How to Reach Panna

How to Reach Overview

Though a popular tourist destination, not many options are available to reach Panna directly. The nearest airport is in Khajuraho which is 36 km away. The nearest railway stations Satna and Khajuraho are well connected to major cities in the country via regular trains. NH 75 links Panna to nearby cities like Bhopal and major cities like Delhi.

How to reach Panna by flight

Panna Airport is currently non-functional, the nearest working airport is Khajuraho Airport which is 29 kms away. Cabs are available from the airport at around Rs 500 upto Panna.

How to reach Panna by road

Tourist and state owned buses connects Panna to all major cities in the state. State owned public bus services are available from Jhansi to Panna at regular intervals. Khajuraho also provides the same facilities.

How to reach Panna by train

Panna does not have a station of its own. Nearest railway station is Satna 75 km away, but not all trains take a halt here. The nearest major railway station is Jhansi which is 176 kms away from Panna and all the trains halt at this station. Cabs from the railway station are available at a rate of about Rs 3300 upto Panna.

Local transport in Panna

Within the Panna National Park, the best way to explore is on an elephant safari. An hour ride on a boat on the Ken river through the jungle area might also be very interesting and picturesque to spot wildlife in their natural environments. Jeep safari are not provided within the park, so if you want to explore the area on a vehicle, you would have to arrange on your own. Rest of Panna is just like another city with Taxis as the best way of commuting within the city.

Panna Photos

Panna, Madhya Pradesh
Panna National Park
Pandava Falls and Caves
Mahamati Prannathji Temple

+ 17
photos

FAQs on Panna

Who should visit Panna?

Panna, though small in size, is a huge attraction worldwide for its Tiger Reserve. So, the city attracts a number of eco-tourists, wildlife photographers and animal lovers. The city also attracts historians and art lovers for its ancient constructions.

What are the places near Panna?

The top places near to Panna are Khajuraho which is 29 km from Panna, Bandhavgarh national park which is located 144 km from Panna, Varanasi which is located 289 km from Panna, Chitrakoot which is located 85 km from Panna, Agra which is located 349 km from Panna

What are the things to do in Panna?

The top things to do in Panna are Pandava Falls and Caves, Diamond Mines, Panna National Park, Raneh Falls and the Ken crocodile sanctuary, Jugal Kishoreji Temple, Mahamati Prannathji Temple. You can see all the places to visit in Panna here

What is the best way to reach Panna?

Though a popular tourist destination, not many options are available to reach Panna directly. The nearest airport is in Khajuraho which is 36 km away. The nearest railway stations Satna and Khajuraho are well connected to major cities in the country via regular trains. NH 75 links Panna to nearby cities like Bhopal and major cities like Delhi.
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What is the local food in Panna?

The kebabs, mawa-bati, khoprapak and malpua are the traditional dishes of Madhya Pradesh that will not only suffice to your hunger cravings better than you expect but also leave a lasting impression in your hearts.
Read More

What is the best time to visit Panna?

November to May is the best time to visit Panna. Summers in this town are excruciatingly hot, and the temperatures rise to about 45 degrees Celcius, which is not very favourable for a pleasant vacation. Winters are comparatively cooler and more pleasant. It is especially recommended to visit this place during March because that is when you would get to see the wildlife at Panna National Park.
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What is not so good about Panna?

Extremely hot in summers.

What is famous about Panna?

Less polluted and picturesque. Breathtaking natural beauty.

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Panna Reviews

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Rohit Shroff

5 years ago
- Have a guide with you or make a well researched plan for yourself and only then embark on to your trip.
- While in Panna National Park, jeeps are not provided by the jungle authorities, so make (Read More)your own arrangements.

Arvind Verma

on Panna National Park 5 years ago
I want to around the nantiol park and to see the animal
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