Experiences in Sidhi
- 01
Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary
The second half of the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve, named after Dubri village. A quieter sanctuary of forest and villages where tigers have favoured the habitat, and the Jabalpur-Singrauli railway line cuts through it.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day, combined with a Sanjay safari
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Winter and early summer; the reserve calls the monsoon especially scenic but access is harder
- Tickets
- Zone names, safari charges and entry gates for the sanctuary are not published; call or write to the Field Director's office, Sidhi (07822-252409; fdsajnp.sdh@mp.gov.in) for current rules before you travel.
- 02
Sanjay National Park
The core of the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in Sidhi district: sal and bamboo forest, grassland and perennial streams, with tigers, leopards, sloth bears, chital and sambar. Safaris run in jeeps, booked online.
- Time needed
- Two safaris (morning and evening) minimum; a full 2 nights is better
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Winter and early summer for cooler drives and visible wildlife; heavy rain in July to September makes the forest hard to access
- Tickets
- Safaris in registered gypsies are run in the morning and evening and are booked online through the state forest booking portal; a limited number are held for walk-in visitors at the tourist counter. Safari charges, zone names and gate timings are not published; confirm them with the Field Director's office in Sidhi (07822-252409) before you travel.
- 03
Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary
A protected river corridor along the Son, Banas and Gopad rivers, set up in 1981 to save the gharial. A place for river banks, birds and sandbars, not a developed visitor attraction.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours as a river-bank visit
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Winter, when water is lower and birds are active; the monsoon brings high water and makes banks unsafe
- Tickets
- No fees, timings or permits are published. Ask the Sidhi forest office before going, and do not enter the water or approach basking animals.
Temples in Sidhi
- 04
Chandreh Shiva Temple and Matha
A sandstone Shiva temple and adjoining two-storey monastery of the 10th century, standing in Chandreh village near the meeting of the Son and Banas rivers. A rare early temple with an unusual plan.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Cool, dry months, October to March, in the morning
- Tickets
- No ticket or timings are published. Remove footwear near the shrine, ask before photographing inside and follow local guidance on dress.
- 05
Ghoghra Chandi Mata Temple
A village shrine at Ghoghra in Sidhi district, near the Sanjay area, which local tradition and the reserve's own site associate with the birthplace of Birbal, the courtier of Akbar. A modest, local temple, not a developed attraction.
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Mornings and evenings, outside the hottest months
- Tickets
- No ticket or opening hours are published. Remove footwear, dress modestly and ask before photographing the deity or worshippers.
