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Amarkantak is a well frequented Hindu pilgrimage center that is popularly known as ‘Teerthraj’ - ‘the king of pilgrimages’.

The forests surrounding Amarkantak have a rich variety of plants with medicinal properties, which make it extremely significant from an ecological point of view.

Amarkantak is also the origin of the Narmada River, Johilla River and Son River. The Narmada River flows towards the western side and the Son River flows to the east. There are various holy ponds, Maikal Hills and dense forests in the region that attract adventure seekers from across the globe.

This region has an elevation of around 1,048 metres above sea level. The Kapil Dhara Falls are located near Gaumukh, which is the source of the Narmada River. Through these falls, the Narmada River leaves Anuppur and enters the Dindori District, covering more than 20 metres.

Kabir Chabutra is around 4 kilometres from Amarkantak and is a junction point of Bilaspur, Dindori and Anuppur Districts. The Narmada River is more than 150 million years old and is considered to be sacred by Hindus. It is believed that pilgrims visiting Amarkantak can attain ‘nirvana’ or ultimate salvation.

The rivers originating from Amarkantak find description in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, Shatapatha Brahmana and Vashistha Samhita. It is believed that Amarkantak was called as Piksh Parvat in the Puranas.

The Puranas also state that this Vindhyachal area was situated in the kingdom of Ayodhya. Popular rishis like Bhrigu Rishi, Kapila Muni and Markandeya Rishi had their ashrams in this region. It is also believed that the Pandavas stayed here in Amarkantak during their exile.

Adi Shankaracharya was also born here after 3,000 years of Mahabharata in 788 AD. He founded the famous Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple. The Kalachuri King was given this area in dowry by the Chedi King during the 10th or 11th century AD.

Karnadeva of the Kalachuri dynasty constructed various temples at this location during his reign from 1042 to 1072 AD. The King of Nagpur ruled Amarkantak till 1808, which later came under the British rule. Recently, the UPA government selected Amarkantak as the place for India's first Tribal University.