Madhya Pradesh literally means “Central Province”. It is nicknamed “heart of India” due to its geographical location in India. It is the second largest state ( in terms of area ) of India and borders the states of Uttar Pradesh, Chaatishgarh, Maharastra, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh is home to a large tribal population , rich in mineral resources, and has the largest reserves of diamond and copper in India. More than 30% of its area is under the forest cover.
Its tourism industry has seen considerable growth. From the tourism point of view we divide Madhya Pradesh in four circuits which are Gwaliar, Jabalpur,Bhopal, Indore circuits.
GWALIOR CIRCUIT : Gwaliar,Datia,Shivpuri, Chanderi Orcha, Khajuraho, Chitrakoot
GWALI OR
Its tradition as a royal capital continued until the formation of present day India with Scindhia’s having their dynastic seat here, its magnificent mementoes of a glorius past have been well preserved. Its history is traced back to a legend. In 8 AD Suraj Sen- a chieftain was stricken by a deadly disease and was cured by a hermit saint, Gwalipa. He in gratitude found a city which he named after this saint. The new city of Gwalior gained new dimensions from warriar kings, poets,musicians and saints contributing to make it a capital renowned through- out the country.
Sightseeing and excursion
The Gwalior fort Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, it dominates the city and is the most magnificent monument. It has been a scene of momentous events , imprisonments, battles and jauhars, A steep road winds upwards to the Fort, flanked by statues of Jain tirthankaras, carved into the rock face. The magnificent outer walls of the Fort still stand, two miles in length and 35 feet high, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the most invincible forts of India. Light and sound show at the fort takes you through the glorious past.Telika Mandir- a 9th century edifice, towering 100 ft hight is a Vishnu Temple well known for its unique blending of architectural styles. The shape of the roof is Dravidian while the decorative embellishment have the Indo-Aryan characterstics of Northern India. Jai vilas Palace, Museum, Tob of Tansen- father of Indian classical music and is the sandstone mausoleum of the Afghan prince, Ghous Mohammed, also designed on early Mughal lines. Particularly, exquisite are the screens which use the pierced stone technique, as delicate as lace. The earliest freedom fighters, Tatya Tope and the indomitable Rani of Jhansi, are commemorated in memorials in Gwalior. There are cenotaphs at major public crossings, memorials to Scindia kings and queens..
DATIA
69 KMS From Gwalior is Datia town whose antiquity can be traced back to the Mahabharata. A town of great historic significance. Its seven storeyed palace built entirely of stone brick by Raja Bir Singh Deo in 1614 is considered to be one of the finest examples of Bundela architecture in the country. Witin the palace are some fine wall paintings of the Bundela school. An interesting blending of cultures can be seen in the frescoes in a temple the other attraction is its Gopeshwar Temple.
SHIVPURI
Shivpuri was the summer capital of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior, its dense forests were the hunting grounds of the Mughal emperors when great herds of elephants were captured by emperor Akbar. Much later, it was the Tiger that roamed the wooded hills and many a magnificent beast was ‘bagged’ by royal Shikaris. Today Shivpuri is a sanctuary for rare wildlife and avifauna. Its royal past has thus been transformed into a vibrant, hopefull present
CHANDERI
Its history goes back to early 11th Century and kaleidoscope of movement and activity prompted by its strategic location. On the borders of Malwa and Bundelkhan, this town dominated the trade routes of central India and was proximate to the arterial route to the ancients ports of Gurjarat as well as Malwa. Later it became an important military post It is surrounded by hills, lakes and forests and there are several monument of Bundela Rajputs and Malwa Sultans. It is famous for its brocades and muslins especially for its handwoven Chanderi Sarees. The masters use silk and cotton to create their masterpiece.
ORCHHA & KHAJURAHO
Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris. From here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular. Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors are interiors which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. In the Laxminarayan Temple and Raj Mahal, vibrant murals encompassing a variety of religious and secular themes, bring the walls and ceilings to rich life. Strewn around the area are the little shrines and memorials, each with its own poignant history, each contributing to the nostalgic beauty that is Orchha.
Khajuraho holds an unique position in temple architecture, Khajuraho holds a unique position. The temples here were built between 950-1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty who claim descent from the moon Goda and a mortal, Hemavati with whom the god fell in love. Most of temples in the north were destroyed by invaders but Khajuraho escaped and stands today as an island of beauty. These temples have unique features, they stand on high platforms and do have customary enclosures. Each temple has large number of spires in ascending order representing man’s aspirations towards spiritual goal.
Sightseeing and Excursion
Western Group of Temples of which the most famous is the Kandariya Mahadev temple 31 m high. It has fantastic range of sculptures including sensuos erotic themes Eastern Group of Temples is the finest of the structure, the Parsavnath Jain temple with its exquisite carvings. In the southern group are the Chaturbhuj temple with its carved image of vishnu and the Duladeo temple, Rane Falls, Benisagar Dam , Rajgarh Palace , Panna national park are some of the many intersting spots.
Chitrakoot
Link
JABALPUR CIRCUIT : Jabalpur, Pench,Kanha,Bandavgarh,Amarkantak,Panchmadhi
JABALPUR is one of the Major cities of Madhya Pradesh. It lies in the junction of Satpura and Vindhya range of mountain and the holy river Narmada flows through it. Jabalpur is proudly associated with Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, Osho, Harishankar Parsai, Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, Subhadra Kumar Chauhan,Prem Nath, Rehman and and many other literati and glitterati as their hometownThe world famed marble rocks at Bheda Ghat (23 km) on either side of Narmada is a treat to behold. Dhuandhar Falls-Narmada making its way through the rocks narrows down and then plunges in a waterfal, Madan Mahal Fort constructed in 1116 atop of a huge boulder rock which provides a panoramic view of the city, Balancing Rock- a huge rock balanced on another with just human finger thick index, Kamania Gate-Gateway to the old city is the most known landmark, Hanumantal has the most water, Digamber Jain Temple, in the heart of the city is an ecotourism designated destination, Rani Durgawati Museum’s has some fine collection of sculptures,inscription and some prehistoric relics, Chausat Yogini temple –a 10th century temple on a hilltop is dedicated to Goddess Durga,One can cruise on Narmada River frm Bargi Hill to Mandala. C. .It is also a gateway to Kanha and Bandavgarh National Parks.
Pench Tiger Reserve lies in the southern slopes of Satpura Range of Central India bordering with Maharastra. Total core area of the park is 292.86 Sq Km. It is named after River Pench which flows through it. One can enjoy River Rafting, jungle Safari,Elephant Rides, Boating. Nagpur Junction /airport are the nearest rail/air heads.
Kanha WLS 160 kms south east of Jabalpur is one of India’s largest national park covering 1945 sq km including a core zone of 940 sq km. It is a beautiful area of sal forest and wooded grassland with many rivers and steams.There is a good chance of sighting tigers, gaur and herbivores. It is also one of the best places for bird watching.
Bandavgarh wls is located approx 197 kms north east of Jabalpur and 110 kms south of Katni in the vindhya mountain range. Its much smaller then Kanha but claims to have highest density tiger population in India there are also, Leopard, Bisen, sambhar etc. It is named ancient fort built on 800 m -high cliffs. There is a temple at the fort which can be visited by Jeep and below it are numerous rock-cut caves shrines. Nearest rail head in Umaria.
Amarkantak is one of the most important pilgrim centre of the Hindus. It is 228 kms from Jabalpur and source of River Narmada and Sone. It is situated at the meeting point of the vindhya and satpura mountatin ranges.
BHOPAL CIRCUIT : Bhopal ,Sanchi,Vidisha,Udaygiri caves, Gyaraspur UdayPur,
Bhojpur, Bhimbetka,Tawa, Panchmarhi.
Bhopal is capital of the State of Madhya Pradesh. The famous Raja Bhoj built a city in the 11th Century named Bhojapal . The present city was founded in 18th Century by an Afgan soldier of fortune –Dosh Mohammed. Later it was ruled by series of Nawabs and Begums who have built beautiful mosques and Palaces. Taj Ul Masjid-Huge mosque begun by Shahjehan Begum now under complition, Jama Masjid built by Kudsia Begum in 1837 on the site of an ancient temple, Moti Masjid built in 1860, Bharat Bhavan- institute for performing and visual arts, Gandhi Bhavan and Gandh Museum, Lakshmi Narayan Temple and Museum,Shamla and Eidgah hills from where one gets good view of the city, Upper and Lower Lakes.
Sanchi – special place in the history of Buddhism as it was consecrated by early Kushan Kings, Emperor Ashok then replaced the wooden structures by stone and made sanchi an important seat of Buddhism. Vidisha (10 km) which emperor Ashoka ruled as Viceroy. A second sentury BC hindu shrine shows bricks cemented togather with lime mortar, the earliest known use of cement. The Pillar nearby a monolith was errected in 140 BC by a greek who embraced the Hindu religion. Uday Giri Caves (13 km) dating back to the 4th-5th century AD is a group of caves representative of Gupta Art. Uday Pur (90 kms) has a colossal temple of Neelkanteshwara of the 11th century. Panchmadhi (210 km is a hill resort 1067 m high ringed by the Satpura ranges. Forests,Glades , Pools, water falls, ravines and Gorges make this an attractive holiday resort. Bhojpur (28 km) founded by Raja Bhoj has ruins of a shiva temple. The symbol of Shiva, the lingam, is a huge monolith. Bhimbetka (46 km) south of Bhopal is a village surrounded by the northern fringe of vindhya range. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs covering about 26 sq km of area has over 700 rock shelters belonging to the neolithic age were discovered in 1958 by an eminent archeologist V.S. Wakanker. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gyaraspur –41 kms north east of Sanchi is the temple site which dates back to medieval period representing post gupta period. Athkhambha & chaukhambha are what remains of the columned halls of two temples dating from 9th to 10th centuries AD. Tawa Dam in Hosengabad district is nestled between the western boundry of satpura National park and Bori wildlife sanctuary. It is approx 75 kms from Bhopal. It is gateway to Panchmarhi and one can enjoy boating,angling island hopping, camping, canopy walk, bird watching, herbal spa, water sports and water cruising,trekking, tree house,watch tower etc.
INDORE CIRCUIT : Indore, Mandu, Ujjain ,Omkareshwar-Mamaleshwar
INDORE was founded by the great Rani Ahilyabai- one of the greatest queen of Indian History.The name Indore is derived from the 18th century Inreshwar Temple. Queen Ahilyabai not only gave the state an admirable administration but also rebuilt many temples in north India which were destroyed by invaders. Indore played a great part in the 1857 first war of Indian Independence. Today it is one of the most important industrial and commercial town of Madhya Pradesh, its nicknamed as mini Mumbai.
Sightseeing and Excursions
Rajwada & Chatris Bada Ganpati –a colossal image of Ganesh, Kanch Mandir- the famous Jain Temple with its walls, roof and floors lavishly inlaid with mirrors, glass, mother of Pearl and coloured beads. Chhatri Bagh , with its majestic cenotaphs of the holkar rulers. Maheswar- 91 km an ancient town mentioned in Ramayana and Mahabharata and revived by Rani Ahilya Bai has beautiful temples and a fort complex.Lal Bagh Palace Khajrana Temples Geeta bhavan and many more Omkareshwar (71 Km) an important place of Pilgrimage the temple is known for its beautiful carvings. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. Bagh caves (155 km) have painting which were comparable to Ajanta Painting.
MANDU – The city of joy is farned for stories of the love of the King Baz Bahadur for his consort Rani Rupamati. It was originally the capital of Hindu Parmar Kings in the 13th century it came under the sway of Sultan of Malwas who called it Shadiabad, the city of Joy, Palaces, baths and pavillions each an architecture gem in the Afghan Style and tomb and mosques of great beauty built by them can be seen to this day.
Sightseeing and Excursions
Some of the important attractions of Mandu are Jahaz Mahal-Ship Palace built between two lakes resembles a pleasure boat, Hindola Mahal designed with its sloping walls to look like a swing, Baz Bahadur Palace, Roopmati’s Pavillion a retreat built by Baz Bahadur from where she could see the sacred Narmada flowing at distance and also the Baz Bahadoor Palace. Hoshang Shah Tomb, Jama Masjid, Ashrafi Mahal, Dhar (35 km) capital of Parmar Kings, the monuments here are a combination of Afghan, Hindu and Mughal Architecture.
UJJAIN – traces its History to the very dawn of Indian History and has a great tradition of learning and culture. The nine gems of Vikramadityas court including the poet Kalidas flourished here. Hindu astronomy astology and geography have ujjain as the base for calculations to this day as the first longitudinal meridian of Hindu geographers passes through Ujjain which is the ‘Greenwich’ of Hindu astronomers and astrology.
Sightseeing and Excursions
Temple of Mahakaleshwar an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus, it is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga of India, Bhatrihari caves-where the great Sanskrit Poet Bhatrihari lived, Sadipani Ashram where Krishna studied at the ashram of Guru Sandipani, Observatory of massonry built by Mahraja Jai Singh II, Jantar Mantar, vikram kirti mandir, Bathing ghats of the Shipra river, Gopal Mandir -19th century temple.
