Barela is a town and nagar parishad in Jabalpur district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Its other name is Dharmnagri.

Barela is located at 23°06′N 80°03′E / 23.1°N 80.05°E / 23.1; 80.05. It has an average elevation of 405 metres (1,329 ft).

As of 2001 India census, Barela had a population of 10,874. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Barela has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the males and 41% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.