History : Steeped in the splendour of the royal legacies of its past, Panna is infectious, reverentially mysterious, enveloping and holy. The oldest reference to Panna is in the Ramayan and various Purans. The ancient name of Panna was Padmawati-Puri, mentioned in Vishnu Puran and Bhavishya Puran. In the 41st sarg of Valmiki Ramayan it is described as Kilkila-Khand by Sugriv and Shrimad Bhagwat calls it Kilkila Pradesh. According to local believes, it was the capital of Raja Dadhichi and also of Raja Padmavat during satyug.
That was Swami Pran Nathji who told Raja Chhatrasal Bundela, a great medieval warrior regarding Diamond mines of Panna and thus strengthened his financial position. He also persuaded Chhatrasal to make Panna his capital and arranged his coronation there.
Panna district of today has been carved mainly out of former princely states of Panna and Ajaigarh. Originally a Gond settlement up to the thirteenth century, it was raised to importance by Raja Chhatrasal Bundela who made it his capital.
From explorations, it is proved that the district was inhabited by primitive men in the earlier pre-historic period. During the Ramayan period the Panna region seems to have been included in the great Dandkaranya. The district was the part of the vast empires of Mauryas, Shungas and Imperial Guptas.
From the middle of the 10th century AD to the second half of the 13th century, the Chandellas kingdom included Khajuraho, Kalingar and Ajaigarh. When the Bundelas came to power in the 17th century , the area came to be known as Bundelkhand.
Panna of today : Panna district is located in the north-eastern part of Madhya Pradesh. It forms the northern district of Sagar Commissionerate Division. The district extends from 23o45" N to 25o10" N and from 79o45' E to 80o40' E. The shape of district is roughly triangular.
As per the 1991 census, the population of Panna district was 687945 out of which the rural population was 598378 and urban was 89567. The district is divided into five revenue blocks in which there are 1048 villages and 6 towns. Panchayat-wise, Panna has one Zila Panchayat and five Janpad Panchayats.
Panna is famous for its diamond mines located in a belt of about 80 kms across the town. Panna district is entirely dependent on road transport. Panna is picturesque place lying strategically in a valley amidst forest covered by lofty hills.
Approach : From Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, Panna is about 500 Kms by Rail route (upto Satna), around 400 Kms by Road and around 40 Kms by Air route. The nearest Airport is Khajuraho, the world famous heritage. Khajuraho is directly connected to the national capital, New Delhi by Air. From Khajuraho Airstrip, there is only 45 Kms drive for Panna. The nearest Railway station is Satna which is directly connected to Bhopal, Jabalpur & Delhi and from Satna, there is about 70 Kms drive for Panna.
A Tourists' El Dorado : Panna is famous for it's diamond mines, stylish and huge Temples, spectacular seasonal waterfalls, National Park-Tiger Reserve, Paramdham for the Pranamies, Archaeological Museum, Fort, Palaces, Jagannath Rath Yatra, picturesque View points, etc.