Rehli — Travel Guide
Truth is, Rehli is one of the most culturally revered and historically storied heritage towns in the Sagar district of central Madhya Pradesh. Resting in the fertile valley along the banks of the sacred Sunar and Dehar rivers on State Highway 15A, it sits just 42 km southeast of Sagar city and 45 km southwest of Damoh.
The cool morning breeze carries the fragrance of blooming palash forests, fresh river water, and sacred incense from hilltop shrines.
Lush agricultural plains, rocky hillocks, and medieval stone fortifications frame this hospitable Bundelkhand countryside. Rehli is celebrated across Madhya Pradesh as the sacred home of the hilltop Tikitoriya Mata Mandir, the ancient Maratha era Rehli Fort, and the gateway to the vast Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest nature reserve in the state.
It's a wonderful stop if you appreciate ancient Bundela and Maratha stone architecture, peaceful river ghats at Atal Setu, leopard and wolf safaris at Nauradehi, and authentic Bundelkhandi cuisine.
Look, the surrounding region holds immense historical prominence spanning 18th century Peshwa rule, Gond royal battles, and ancient Sun worship traditions. From the rare carved sandstone pillars of the Sun Temple on the river confluence to the panoramic views from Tikitoriya hill, profound peace greets you at every step.
Thing is, the local atmosphere is remarkably peaceful and rooted in traditional Bundelkhandi warmth. You can wander through lively bazaar lanes, sip hot spiced tea in clay cups, and relish authentic regional foods like crisp Dal Bafla with desi ghee, spicy Sev Tamatar, and sweet Mawa Jalebis.
Mind you, neighboring travel destinations like Panagar, Rahatgarh, and Tarana highlight Madhya Pradesh's rich waterfall, temple, and heritage circuits. Adding Rehli and the Sagar Bundelkhand circuit to your travel plan is worth every rupee for nature lovers and pilgrims.
Whether you're climbing the shaded steps to Tikitoriya Mata Mandir or watching the evening sunset over the Sunar River, Rehli delivers true serenity. It's an authentic jewel of Central Bundelkhand.
Timing your trip around grand hilltop Navratri fairs and cool winter sunshine will make your journey across Madhya Pradesh memorable. Worth every rupee. Here is the seasonal and cultural breakdown:
Best Time to Visit by Season
• Winter Season (October to March): The ideal travel window. Daytime temperatures stay between 12°C and 26°C with crisp sunshine and pleasant breezes, perfect for jungle safaris at Nauradehi, fort exploration, and hilltop temple visits.
• Monsoon Season (July to September): Heavy rainfall turns the Bundelkhand countryside lush green and fills the Sunar and Dehar rivers.
• Summer Season (April to June): Warm and dry with daytime temperatures reaching 43°C. Peak season for wildlife sightings at Nauradehi waterholes, though early morning safaris are advised.
Major Annual Cultural & Religious Celebrations
• Tikitoriya Navratri Mela (Chaitra & Ashwin): Grand 9 day pilgrimage festival drawing tens of thousands of devotees climbing Tikitoriya hill for goddess blessings.
• Makar Sankranti Sunar River Fair: Traditional winter river festival where pilgrims take holy dips in the Sunar River and enjoy village carnival rides.
• Ashadhi Ekadashi Vitthal Yatra: Celebrated with traditional Dindis, devotional kirtans, and community feasts at Pandharpur Mandir.
• Holi & Bundeli Folk Fairs: Joyously celebrated with Rai and Dhimrai folk dances, colorful gulal, and festive mawa gujiyas.
What Rehli is Famous For
• Tikitoriya Mata Mandir: Sacred hilltop temple offering panoramic views of Bundelkhand.
• Nauradehi Sanctuary Gateway: Direct base for exploring Madhya Pradesh's largest wildlife reserve.
• Historic Fort & Sun Temple: 17th century Maratha and Bundela architectural heritage.
Reaching Rehli in Madhya Pradesh is easy due to its location on State Highway 15A connecting Sagar, Damoh, and Jabalpur, along with major railhead access. No doubt about it. Here is your transit guide:
By Air
• Dumna Airport (JLR), Jabalpur: Located 125 km southeast of Rehli (approx 2.5 hours drive via smooth four lane NH 45 / MP SH 15A).
• Raja Bhoj Airport (BHO), Bhopal: Located 210 km west (approx 4 hours drive via NH 146 / Sagar expressway).
• Airport Transfers: App based cabs, private rental taxis, and MP Tourism buses connect Jabalpur, Bhopal, and Sagar directly to Rehli.
By Train
• Nearest Railway Stations: Makronia (Station Code: MKRN) is 38 km northwest and Sagar Railway Station (Code: SGO) is 42 km northwest on the Bina Katni rail line.
• Alternative Rail Junction: Damoh (Code: DMO) is 45 km northeast on the West Central Railway network.
• Connecting Trains: Vande Bharat, Gondwana Express, Kamayani Express, and Jabalpur Hazrat Nizamuddin Express connect Sagar and Damoh directly to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bhopal.
By Road
• State Highway 15A: Smooth paved corridor links Rehli directly to Sagar, Damoh, Deori, and Jabalpur.
• National Highway 44 & 45: Connects the region to North South highway corridors.
• Bus Services: Madhya Pradesh state transport and private buses operate between Sagar, Rehli, Damoh, and Jabalpur every 15 minutes.
Local Commuting
• Auto Rickshaws: Shared and private auto rickshaws are available at Rehli bus stand.
• Rental Taxis: Local cabs are ideal for full day tours covering Tikitoriya Temple, Rehli Fort, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sun Temple.
Exploring local traditional markets and tasting rich Bundelkhandi cuisine is a wonderful part of traveling in Madhya Pradesh. Here are the top items to buy and try:
What to Buy (Wheat, Dairy & Crafts)
• Bundelkhand Sharbati Wheat: Premium golden wheat grains prized across India for making soft, sweet rotis and puris.
• Pure Desi Cow Ghee: Fresh traditionally churned Bilona cow ghee from rural dairy farmers around Nauradehi.
• Handcrafted Terracotta & Clay Pottery: Decorative clay water pots, lamps, and idols made by local artisan potters.
• Sunar River Stone Souvenirs: Smooth river stones, carved marble statues, and devotional temple souvenirs.
• Traditional Bundeli Spices: Aromatic roasted garam masala and coriander powders from local village mills.
Famous Local Food Specialties
• Bundelkhandi Dal Bafla with Desi Ghee: Boiled and roasted wheat dough balls drenched in pure cow ghee, served with spicy toor dal, raw onion rings, and mint chutney.
• Sev Tamatar Ki Sabzi: Spicy tomato gravy cooked with green chilies and whole cumin, topped with crispy spiced chickpea sev noodles.
• Indori Poha with Crisp Jalebi: Steamed flattened rice tempered with mustard seeds and fennel, topped with ratlami sev and served with piping hot jalebis.
• Mawa Bati & Gujiya: Rich sweet dumplings made with khoya, cardamom, and dry fruits, fried in desi ghee and dipped in sugar syrup.
• Fresh Mahua Ladoo: Healthy traditional winter sweets made from dried wild Mahua flowers, sesame seeds, and pure jaggery.
Must-Visit Places in Rehli
Rehli and the surrounding Sagar Damoh region offer an extraordinary collection of hilltop Devi shrines, medieval river forts, ancient Sun temples, and sprawling wildlife sanctuaries. Here are the top attractions you'll want to explore during your stay.
1. Tikitoriya Devi Mandir (Hilltop Shrine)
A revered ancient temple of Goddess Durga sitting high on the scenic Tikitoriya hillock, featuring shaded stairways, prayer halls, and sweeping views of Rehli town.
Visiting Hours: 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located on Tikitoriya Hill in Rehli.
2. Historic Rehli Fort on Sunar River
A 17th century stone fortification built by Gond and Maratha rulers on the banks of the Sunar River, featuring ancient ramparts, bastions, and river steps.
Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free entry; ASI preserved site
Route Note: Located beside the Sunar River in Rehli.
3. Ancient Surya Mandir (Sun Temple Confluence)
A rare historical Sun temple constructed during the Maratha period using ancient carved stone columns near the sacred confluence of the Sunar and Dehar rivers.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Situated near the river sangam in Rehli.
4. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve
The largest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh spanning 1,197 sq km, sheltering Royal Bengal tigers, leopards, and wolves.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM (Oct to June)
Entry Fee: Forest department safari fees apply
Route Note: Safari gates located 25 km south of Rehli.
5. Sunar River Ghats & Atal Setu Promenade
The lifeline river of Sagar district featuring wide stone bathing ghats, scenic suspension walkways, and tranquil sunset viewpoints over the water.
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Entry Fee: Free public access
Route Note: Located across the town riverfront.
6. Shri Pandharpur Vitthal Rukmini Mandir & Bhakta Niwas
A sacred town temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini, celebrated for devotional bhajans, Ashadhi Ekadashi processions, and pilgrim rest houses.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located in central Rehli.
7. Shri Hanuman Mandir (Chhatarpur Highway)
A popular roadside temple where motorists stop for travel blessings, Saturday evening aartis, and sweet boondi prasad distributions.
Visiting Hours: 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located along SH 15A highway pass.
8. Dehar & Sunar River Sangam Point
The sacred meeting point of the Dehar and Sunar rivers, surrounded by lush teak trees, rocky islands, and seasonal wading birds.
Visiting Hours: Daylight hours
Entry Fee: Free access
Route Note: Situated on the outskirts of Rehli.
9. Shri Radha Krishna Mandir (Rehli)
An ornate temple featuring marble idols of Lord Krishna and Radha, known for joyous Janmashtami celebrations and classical Raas Leela performances.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free entry
Route Note: Located in old town quarters.
10. Rahatgarh Waterfall & Fort Circuit
A spectacular 50 foot natural waterfall on the Bina River near Rahatgarh, featuring medieval forest fort ruins and scenic nature trails.
Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free access
Route Note: Located 75 km northwest via Sagar.
11. Shri Mahadev Mandir (Rehli Fort Complex)
An ancient stone Shiva lingam shrine inside the fort courtyard overlooking the river, drawing thousands of devotees on Mahashivratri.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free darshan
Route Note: Located within the fort enclosure.
12. Rehli Weekly Agro & Grain Market
A lively open air rural bazaar where local farmers sell premium Bundelkhand wheat, chickpeas, pure mustard oil, and handcrafted clay pottery.
Visiting Hours: 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free access
Route Note: Located at the APMC Mandi, Rehli.
Rehli Photo Gallery & Attractions
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