Jam Gate — Indore’s own stairway to heaven
Jam Gate is a picnic spot approximately 50KMs from Indore. Its construction was completed in the year 1791 under the regime of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. More details on this history of Jam Gate can be found in this article. Let’s begin with the travel blog :)
Views
I visited Jam Gate a couple of years ago, and I am sharing a few photographs of the same, which might give an idea about the breathtaking views and scenery surrounding the gate:
The gate itself can be climbed upon via the stairs. It’s approximately one and a half stories in height from the main road. The entry is ticketed, whose cost I dont remember right now, but it should be economical. Here is a snapshot from above the gate:
Just past the gate, the descend from the Malwa plateau begins. Jam Gate is considered to be the gateway between Malwa and Nimar, the two culturally distinct geographical regions of Western Madhya Pradesh. Hence, the road is sometimes referred to as “Jam Ghat”, since it’s a Ghat (Hindi word for an incline). Just before one reaches the Jam Gate when travelling from Indore, one has to pass through the Jam village. Hence, it’s a riot of permutation and combinations using the word Jam, of sorts.
How to Reach
The only way to actually reach is by road. It is officially the State Highway 38 also known informally as the Mhow-Mandleshwar road as it connects both towns via Jam Gate. The nearest major railway station is Indore Junction and the nearest airport is Indore International Airport which is roughly 50KMs away. One can hail a cab, or a personal vehicle for covering the distance via road, as public transport is not readily available for the route.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is in the morning hours to view the sunrise. This might mean getting out in the early hours in the dark, but it is worth it. However, it can be visited anytime of the day, as the valley looks pretty day in and day out. Usually people like to visit during the monsoons, when its all green green, but I personally think that visiting during the mornings during the winters is the best time to be there.
Conclusion
All in all, Jam Gate is a pleasant spot to visit with friends and family alike. The journey is also quite soothing in itself, apart from the valleys and Jam Gate, ofcourse. Although, there have been a few freak incidents, where people have plunged into the valley accidently, so one should take care near the edges. The place itself has a damn cool vibe attached to it.
Happy Journey !
