Sarni Betul

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Map of Betul District‎

Bhogaikhapa-Bagdona - Shobhapur Satpura Reservoir-Sarni-Punji in Betul, MP

Mathardev-Sarni-Tawa River-Bhogaikhapa in Betul, MP

Sarni (सारणी) is an industrial town located in the Betul District of Madhya Pradesh. Sarni is known for its Mathardev temple at the hilltop, making it a popular tourist destination. It is administered by the Municipal Council of Sarni, which oversees the four contiguous settlements of Sarni, Pathakhera, Shobhapur Colony and Bagdona. There is a Forest Rest House built in 1945.

Variants

• Satpura Dam

Jat Gotras Namesake

• Saran (सारणी) (Jat clan) → Sarni (सारणी) is an industrial town located in the Betul District of Madhya Pradesh. Sarni is known for its Mathardev temple at the hilltop, making it a popular tourist destination.

• Mathar (माठर) (Jat clan) → Mathardev (मठारदेव). Mathardev peak is the highest point of the Satpura ranges, approximately 3,500 ft (1,100 m) above sea level. The peak, as well as the Mathardev Shiva Temple, are named after a legendary tribal chief named Mathardev. It is located near Sarni (सारणी) industrial town in the Betul District of Madhya Pradesh.

Location

The nearest railway station is Ghoradongri railway station, which is 18 km from Sarni. A road connects Sarni to Nagpur-Bhopal National Highway (NH 69) at Baretha, making it accessible from both nearby airports of Bhopal and Nagpur. Sarni is connected to Chhindwara through Madhya Pradesh State Highway 43 (Betul-Sarni-Parasia).

Geography

The town is known for its industry, but also its natural beauty, with the Tawa River running through it and surrounding forests. It is an important industrial hub with the Satpura Thermal Power Station and Pathakhera Area Coal Mines of Western Coalfields Limited located in the surrounding areas. These industries contribute to the economy of the town, and make it an important centre for power generation and coal mining.

Sarni, along with Pathakhera, Shobhapur Colony and Bagdona were established as project towns for the Satpura Thermal Power Station and Pathakhera Area Coalmines in the 1960s. This was done by land acquisition, clearing and development along the banks of Tawa River.

The construction of Satpura Thermal Power Station began in 1964, and the first unit of 62.7 MW was commissioned in October 1967. The Satpura Dam was also built to provide water to the station.

Mathardev Shiva Temple

One of the most conspicuous sites of Sarni is a Shiva temple overlooking the town from Mathardev peak, which is the highest point of the Satpura ranges, approximately 3,500 ft (1,100 m) above sea level. The peak, as well as the temple, are named after a legendary tribal chief named Mathardev. The legendary chief still commands a strong following among the local and neighbouring population.

The fair is organised by the Mathardev Mela Samiti temple committee, with the help of the Municipal Council of Sarni. Traders across the region come to the fair to sell goods including religious items, artefacts, ornaments, clothes, toys, simple household goods, etc. Acrobats, snake charmers, musicians and other artists also attract crowds.

Sarni also celebrates an annual fortnight-long fair on the festival of Makar Sankranti in January.

Satpura Dam

Satpura Dam is a man-made lake created as a reservoir for the Power Plant. The reservoir is surrounded by dense forests and hills. A road traverses through a local hillock to reach the lake and is used for leisurely walks by the local populace.

सारणी परिचय

सारणी भारत के मध्य प्रदेश राज्य के बैतूल ज़िले में स्थित एक नगर है। सारणी भोपाल के दक्षिण में लगभग 200 किमी और नागपुर के उत्तर में लगभग 225 किमी की दूरी पर स्थित है। यहाँ पर मध्य प्रदेश का सबसे बड़ा ऊर्जा संयंत्र स्थित है जो मध्य प्रदेश में उत्पादित सम्पूर्ण विद्युत ऊर्जा का लगभग 70% है। इसकी कुल क्षमता 1142 मेगावाट है। एक 500 मेगावाट का नया संयत्र भी बनना चालू हो गया है। पाथाखेड़ा सारणी का उपनगर है।

मठारदेव शिव मंदिर

सारणी - बैतूल से 60 किलोमीटर दूर स्थित पूर्व का सारणी वन ग्राम आज एक बड़ा नगर है. जहां ताप विद्युत संयंत्र है एवं नजदीकी ग्राम पाथाखेड़ा में भूगर्भीय कोयला खदानें हैं. परिक्षेत्र सारणी के कक्ष क्रमांक 349 में मठारदेव की पहाड़ियों पर प्रसिद्ध शिव मंदिर है जहां प्रतिवर्ष मेला लगता है तथा लाखों की संख्या में श्रद्धालु दर्शन करने आते हैं. कार्य योजना बैतूल की सबसे ऊंची पहाड़ियों की श्रृंखला किलनदेव भी सारणी परीक्षेत्र के अंतर्गत है.