Top Seven Attractions In Madhya Pradesh – Welcome to India ‘s magical country, Madhya Pradesh. It is, literally, a land of many wonders, a perfect combination of rich history, vibrant sights, heritage, community, wilderness, the bounty of nature, and much more. Madhya Pradesh, meaning one of the influential states in central India is the Central Province. Bhopal is the state’s capital city, and the largest city is crowned by the Indore, with other major cities being Jabalpur, Gwalior and Ujjain. It is nicknamed the Heart of India because of its geographical location. The second largest Indian state by area and the fifth largest state by population is this central province. The state is surrounded by Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, the southeast by Chhattisgarh, the south by Maharashtra, the west by Gujarat and the northwest by Rajasthan. Today, Madhya Pradesh includes the region of ancient Avanti Mahajanapada, the capital of which, during the second wave of Indian urbanisation, Ujjain emerged as a major city.
Bhopal
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh’s capital city, is packed with ancient mosques displaying splendid Mughal architecture. Bhopal is also known for the pair of artificial lakes that separate the city into two, in addition to the old rustic charm of the mediaeval era. These lakes are referred to as the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake and are separated by an overbridge from each other.
In the 11th century, Raja Bhoj built the Upper Lake or Bada Talaab, and Nawab Chhote Khan built the Lower Lake in 1794. In order to increase the face value of Bhopal ‘s tourism, these two lakes play a vital role.
Visiting Bhopal will leave you with so many precious memories to hold on to your entire life; you can consider sailing in the lakes, boating, visiting museums, enjoying food, shopping, exploring, and so much more.
If you’re planning to visit this city with old rustic feelings, October to March will be the best time to visit Bhopal. The overall environment is very good for sightseeing and exploring activities throughout these months.
Tourist Attractions
- Taj-Ul-Masajid
- Upper Lake
- State Museum
- Lower Lake
- Birla Museum
- Jama Masjid
- Gohar Mahal
- Van Vihar National Park
- Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalay
Gwalior
For its glorious history and rich cultural heritage, Gwalior is very famous. After being built in the 8th century AD by Maharaja Suraj Sen, Gwalior Fort was identified as the pearl of Indian fortresses. Several ancient northern Indian kingdoms have controlled the town and its castle. It was passed on from the Tomars in the 13th century to the Mughal Empire, then in 1754 to the Maratha, followed by the Scindias in the 18th century AD.
Gwalior is the tourist city of Madhya Pradesh, well-known for its ancient temples, wonderful palaces and seductive monuments. Gwalior is known best for being the birthplace of Tansen, the great musician. And apart from all this, Gwalior was also one of the five princely states that, under British rule, had the distinction of 21 gun salutes. Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Mahal, Teli ka Mandir, Temple of the Light, Gujari Mahal, Temple of Sas Bahu, Some famous places to visit in Gwalior are the Man Mandir Palace. Because of the Scindia College, located right within the Gwalior Fort, Gwalior is also considered to be an educational hub. This school was founded in 1897 and is today considered to be one of India’s many major boarding schools.
Tourist Attractions
- Gwalior Fort
- Teli ka Mandir
- Mansingh Palace
- Tigra Dam
- Tansen Tomb
- Gopachal Parvat
- Sasbahu Temples
- Sun Temple
- Scindia Museum
- Jai Vilas Palace
- Man Mandir Palace
- Madhav National Park
- Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum
- Tansen Music Festival
Khajuraho
One of Madhya Pradesh’s most popular tourist spots is Khajuraho. It is renowned for its ancient temples that depict some of the world’s finest art.
Established by the Chandela Dynasty between 950-1050 AD, these temples represent various forms such as meditation, spiritual teachings, kinship, wrestling, royalty and, most notably, erotic sculpture. The temples consist of spectacular exhibits of fine sculptures and excellent architectural skills, making them one of India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temples are divided into three categories based on their geographic location: Eastern, Western and Southern. The sculptures of the Khajuraho temples, stunning, intricate and expressive, will leave you in awe and wonder.
Plan a trip to Khajuraho around February, where you can experience the Khajuraho Dance Festival as well. A beautiful combination of art and architecture is this grand cultural extravaganza. One gets to experience a wonderful symphony of mesmerising performances of classical dance performed throughout the nation by renowned artists.
Tourist Attractions
- Light and Sound Show at the Khajuraho Temples
- Kandariya Mahadev Temple
- Benisagar Dam
- Duladeo Temple
- Archeological Museum
- Devi Jagadambi Temple
- Shivsagar Lake
- Chausath Yogini Temple
Ujjain
In the state of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is a very significant destination which fascinates its tourists with its religious significance. It is one of India’s seven holiest cities, where every 12 years the popular Hindu festival ‘Kumbh Mela’ is held. This wonderful destination is visited by a large number of visitors, including foreigners, to enjoy the sight of splendid temples and other places of worship that enhance Ujjain ‘s beauty. Being one of Madhya Pradesh’s most popular tourist hubs, Ujjain is certainly an ideal place in India for religious tourism.
This majestic area, popularly known as Ujain, Ujjayini, Avanti, and Avantikapuri, is located on the eastern bank of the River Kshipra. It houses the most beautiful temples and shrines and other historic buildings in the region, reflecting the great work of the dynasty of Gupta, who gave the city its best. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Ujjain is the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga shrine, which attracts a large number of tourists from different parts of the world to see the best of this historic city.
Tourist Attractions
- Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple
- Ram Ghat
- Mangaldev Temple
- Kal Bhairav Temple
- Ved Shala
- Gopal Mandir
- Harsiddhi Temple
- Sandipani Ashram
- Kaliadeh Palace
Sanchi
Sanchi is a popular pilgrimage destination in Madhya Pradesh, home to a group of Buddhist monuments that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including palaces , temples, monasteries and monolithic sites. In Sachi, there are a variety of attractions that date from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. The architecture of the Sanchi Stupa, discovered in 1818, is incredibly crafted and its glory can be observed through the Stupas and the exquisite carvings on its façade. The most interesting aspect of the Sanchi Stupa is that, rather than his own portrait, Lord Buddha was symbolically depicted by footprints, wheels, thrones etc. In the stupa, the lotus reflects the growth of people from the muck of materialism to the truth of life. Likewise, the female tree spirits symbolise fertility in the gateways.
The name ‘Sanchi‘ was derived from the word ‘Sanch‘ as per the legend, which means ‘to measure’. It will make you feel amazed to visit this historical place as the Stupa is only one of its kinds. Not only that, you’ll love to enjoy the interesting views of several other small temples and stupas, which are situated on the hilltop in a serene green park. During your visit to this historical site, you should skip other Sanchi monuments such as Ashoka Pillar, Archaeological Museum, Chetiyagiri Vihara, Buddhist monasteries, Gupta Temple and others.
Tourist Attractions
- The Great Bowl
- Sanchi Stupa
- The Eastern Gateway
- Ashok Pillar
- Udaygiri Caves
- Gupta Temple
- Buddhist Viharas
- Toranas
Mandu
The treasure chest of architectural wonders and history dating back to the 6th century BC is Mandu or Mandavgad. The magnificent temples bring the city a majestic beauty. The quaint city is one of the must-visit destinations in Madhya Pradesh, often referred to as the ‘Hampi of ancient India’. The quaint town is decorated by historic Afghan masterpieces. With a boat that never sails, Mandu reminds you of the childhood storeys that you may have read.
Tourist Attractions
- Jahaz Mahal
- Mandu Fort
- Hindola Mahal
- Rupmati’s Pavilion
- Nilkanth’s Palace
- Jami Masjid
- Rewa Kund
- Bagh Caves
- Hoshang Shah’s Tomb
- Rupayan Museum
Orchha
Orchha is a beautiful tourist destination in the Tikamgarh district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, situated on the bank of the Betwa River. The city’s name means ‘The Secret Spot,’ which was founded by Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh in 1501 AD. With stunning palaces, hewn temples, forts and other buildings, it is one of the state’s popular tourist destinations. Orchha ‘s travel attractions include the Temple of Laxminarayan, Sunder Mahal, Orchha Chattris, The Temple of Ram Raja, etc. A travel to Madhya Pradesh will be a fascinating experience with a path that includes this beautiful Orchha destination.
You can see a magnificent red, elephant-headed statue of Ganesh at the entrance to the city that gives the heart great pleasure. This place ‘s architecture draws huge numbers of visitors from all over the world. These monuments will tell you, during the mediaeval era of history, the glory of this ancient city.
The town of Orchha is located 16 km away from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Announced by nascent peaks, with the delicious fragrance of anones, Orccha is swollen. Bundelas had previously ruled this place for two centuries, leaving the descendants with a rich heritage as their architectural style was meant to be very original.
In Orchha, the unusual combination of literature, architecture, culture and ancient prosperity can be seen. Situated on the banks of the Betwa River, Orchha was once the capital of the rulers of Bundela. This place became the main centre of literature, art , music, temples and palaces because of the Bundela kings, Madhukar Shah, Vir Singh Deo first & second and Queen Ganesh Kunwar. After seeing the locations and temples of this place, the tourists get enchanted.
Tourist Attractions
- Jahangir Mahal
- Orchha Fort
- Raja Mahal
- Evening Aarti at Raja Ram Temple
- Chaturbhuj Temple
- Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dinman Hardaul’s Palace
- Palki Mahal
- Chhatris of Orchha
- Boating and River Rafting in Betwa