There go many very interesting stories and facts about Madhya Pradesh – Place (now a small town called Bandhavgarh) where Lord Rama halted on his way back to Ayoddhya; birth place of Tansen, the legendry singer whose soul stirring singing is said to have brought down rain and lightened diyas (earthen lamps) and the city claimed to have first traces of human life!
That’s quite a lot to see and savor the historically rich Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India and once the largest state of the country.
Places of Attraction
Bhopal
Bhopal - A perfect blend of Hindu and Islamic culture, Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, is known for its archeological wealth. Primitive places and serene Mosques mark the glory of Bhopal – Few Mosques are the oldest of the country. A few major places of attractions are – Bahrath Bhavan, the museum that houses an art gallery, libraries of poetry, folk and classical music; Cave painting of Bhimbatka, a city at a little distance from Bhopal; and Bhojpur, the house to splendid Shiva temples.
Khajuraho
Khajuraho – Khajuraho attracts tourist from all over the world for its ancient sculptures and artwork. Dotted with number of Hindu and Jain temples, Khajuraho’s temple’s have exotic engravings depicting the various themes of human life. The sculptures in Kajuraho are renowned for its magical appearance as you can see their hues change with the change in the direction of sun. These carving and temples are said to date back to the tenth century. The western group temples are a world heritage site, which includes the Chitragupta temple, the Vishwanath temple, the Lakshmana temple and the Devi Jagdambi temple.
Sanchi
Sanchi – Famous for its Sanchi Stupa erected by the Mauryan emperor, Ashoka, Sanchi deserves a visit for its tranquil atmosphere. Sanchi is the destination where Buddhism propagated and is also considered a Buddhist pilgrim site. This little place is full of Chatyas, Buddhist temples, monasteries and Stupas. The Sanchi Stupa is dedicated to Buddha, the ninth incarnation of lord Vishnu. For tourists Sanchi is an unforgettable experience.
Gwalior
Gwalior - Gwalior has a rich royal heritage. Places worth visiting are – The Gwalior Fort, built in the fifteenth century has many temples of notable beauty. Man Mandir, also called as Chitra mandir, is a palace that boasts of incredible carvings and paintings. Gujari Mahal, is yet another striking work of era gone by. Gwalior also has a replica of the legendary Sun Temple of Orrisa.
For understanding the history and culture of Gwalior, Kala Vithika and Scindia Museum are the right places.
Pachmarhi
Pachmarhi – The exquisite hills station is also known for being a repository of its archeological treasures. The green shades and the peaceful surroundings of the area can take you into hypnotism. Pandav Caves (supposedly associated with the Pandavas), the Big Fall, Priyadarshani Point, Biosn Lodge are few sightseeing places in Pachmarhi. Like said earlier, Pachmarhi’s archeological marvels can be witnessed at Catholic Church and Christ church. There are near by places too that are worth visiting, such as Satpura National Park, Bhimbetka etc.
Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh – It is visited for its national park, which along with being among one of those rarest wild life sanctuaries that shelters the Bengal Tiger is also famous for the Bandhavgarh Fort, which is said to have historical importance. The fort is at the centre of the park, and the natural environment surrounding it is a stunning view. As mentioned earlier, the Bengal Tiger and the newly reintroduced Blackbuck are the Sanctuary’s pride apart from the thirty-two hills and the Sal forest of the park.
Bon Appétit
Madhya Pradesh offers all kinds of food – eastern, western, south Indian, North Indian, you name it and you have it. Nevertheless, it has its own cuisines to offer too. In Bhopal, the meat and fish dishes - rogan josh, kroma, keema, kababas and biryani - are popular.
Another mouth-watering dish is the Bafla (wheat cakes). These are soaked in rice ghee and eaten with daal. Where as in drinks, lassi tops the list of favorites; other being sugarcane juice. Among sweets, mawa-baati, Khoprapak, shreekhand and malpua rule the dining tables.
Shopping
Madhya Pradesh is noted for its traditional handicrafts and fine textile production. Tourists never return without the following items in their bag -the unique clothed Chanderi and Maheshwari saris, jute crafts, jute brassware, zari, carpets & durries, folk paintings, iraon carft and metal craft.
Shopping destinations in Madhya Pradesh are – Bhopal: Mrignayani Emporium at Hamidia Road, Handicrafts Emporium for carpets and Dhurries, Chowk Bazaar for silver antiques and jewelry. Gwalior: Patankar Bazzar near Rajwara and Laskar for Handicrafts, Chowk at Bara for saris. Indore: MT Market for zari work, Jail Road and the Top Khana for papier-mâché articles, Terracotta Pieces and wood-carved objects.
Climate
As the central state of India, Madhya Pradesh experiences extremes of both seasons–boiling summers and chilly cold winters. Monsoon from June to September is a slight relief. And the months between November and February is the much-awaited time, for the weather is pleasant & soothing. So when you are planning your trip to the land of temples, make sure it is between these four pleasing months.
Transport
If you are lucky to have a private vehicle, commuting within the state or city is more than convenient and comfortable. But even if you have none, Madhya Pradesh’s local transport facilities can help you have a trouble-free travel. There are local buses, metered taxis, auto rickshaws and tempos for economical and easy travel. However, the tempos are a bit crowded with people and can be a not very pleasant experience. There are also ultra modern cabs called Metro Taxi.
Madhya Pradesh offers all kinds of food – eastern, western, south Indian, North Indian, you name it and you have it. Nevertheless, it has its own cuisines to offer too. In Bhopal, the meat and fish dishes - rogan josh, kroma, keema, kababas and biryani - are popular.
Madhya Pradesh is noted for its traditional handicrafts and fine textile production. Tourists never return without the following items in their bag -the unique clothed Chanderi and Maheshwari saris, jute crafts, jute brassware, zari, carpets & durries, folk paintings, iraon carft and metal craft.
As the central state of India, Madhya Pradesh experiences extremes of both seasons–boiling summers and chilly cold winters. Monsoon from June to September is a slight relief. And the months between November and February is the much-awaited time, for the weather is pleasant & soothing. So when you are planning your trip to the land of temples, make sure it is between these four pleasing months.
