Best Places to visit in Madhya Pradesh
1. Khajuraho
Khajuraho is home to 25
intricately carved temples built between the 8th and 9th century CE by the
Chandela dynasty. These temples have been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Things to see and do : Western group of temples, Eastern group of
temples, Southern group of temples, day trip to Ken River.
Best time to Visit : November through March.
Super Tip :
· Western group is the primary set of monuments. Plan your
itinerary to allow at least 3 hours for this set of monuments. Mornings are
usually the best time to visit these temples.
· Spend at least 2 nights in this magical temple town.
2. Orchha
Orchha, one of Madhya
Pradesh’s off beat travel destinations, is a captivating medieval legacy in
stone rising over the plains of Bundelkhand. It offers a unique combination of
medieval charm and quiet village life.
Things to see and do : Palace Complex, Laxminarayan Temple, Royal
Cenotaphs, Chatturbhuj Temple and Betwa river.
Best time to Visit : October through March.
Super Tip :
· Visit the cenotaphs early in the morning to witness the
feeding of the birds by the caretaker.
· Look for accommodation closer to the palace region since
most of the sights are within walking distance of the palace.
3. Bandhavgarh National Park
This dense forest is home
to a healthy population of tigers thanks to the extensive Tiger Conservation
projects. Apart from the royal tigers the park is home to a wide variety of
wildlife including swamp deer, spotted deer, chowsingha, nilgai, chinkara,
sloth bear, jackal, hyena, langur, and more than 240 species of avifauna and a
variety of reptilian species.
Things to see and do : Jeep safaris.
Best time to Visit : The climate is very comfortable between
November and February. May & June, although very warm months, are the best
times for wildlife spotting.
Super Tip :
· Go on as many safaris as you can. The morning and evening
safaris offer very different experiences.
· Temperatures can be near freezing during the winter months.
Don’t forget to pack your woolens.
4. Sanchi
Sanchi, the oldest
Buddhist archeological site, has monuments dating from the 3rd century BCE to
the 12th CE. It is also one of the primary places of Buddhist pilgrimage. The
site was initiated when Emperor Ashoka erected the first Great Stupa. The city
was abandoned during the 14th century only to be rediscovered by british in the
early part of the 19th century.
Things to see and do : Monuments of Sanchi hill, Sanchi Museum and
Udaygiri caves.
Best time to Visit : November through February.
Super Tip :
· Visit the monuments of Sanchi early in the morning before
the day trippers come in from Bhopal.
· The rock cut caves of Udaygiri are worth a trip.
5. Mandu
Mandu, a ruined city in the Malwa region of Madhya
Pradesh state, is known for its fine architecture. Due its strategic location
and natural defences, Mandu played a key role in Indian history. This walled
city has a large number of palaces, forts, temples and other monuments.
Things to see and do : Jahaz Mahal, Jami Masjid, Tomb of Hoshang
Shah, Asharfi Mahal, Rani Roopmati Pavillion and Baz Bahadur’s Palace.
Best time to Visit : October through March is a good time to visit
Mandu. The rainy season (July and August) is also a popular period since the
whole region becomes lush green.
Super Tip :
· Bicycles are available for rent. This is an fun way to
explore the city.
· Summers can be quite severe. Carry adequate sun protection.
6. Kanha National Park
The lush sal and bamboo forests of Kanha, which
provided the inspiration for Rudyard Kiplings’s novel ‘Jungle Book’ has a
significant population of tigers, leopards, sloth bears, barasinghas and wild
dogs.
Things to see and do : Jeep safaris, elephant safaris, and birding.
Best time to Visit :November to March has pleasant weather. April
through June, although very warm months, are the best times for wildlife
spotting.
Super Tip :
· Go on as many safaris as you can. The morning and evening
safaris offer very different experiences.
· The park is closed during the monsoons (July through
September).
7. Gwalior
Gwalior, the glorious
capital of the Marathas and Mughals, is now the seat of the Scindia royal
family. It was dubbed ‘Key to Indostan’ by Warren Hastings in 1780. The massive
fort of Gwalior was described by the Mughal Emperor Babur as ‘the pearl amongst
fortresses in India’.
Things to see and do : Jai Vilas palace, Gwalior Fort and the
enclosed monuments.
Best time to Visit : October through February.
Super Tip :
· Both summers and winters can be very extreme. Hence plan
your travel accordingly.
· Gwalior hosts the annual Tansen Music Festival in honor the
great classical musician, Tansen. This is a good time to catch some good Indian
classical music.
8. Bhopal
Bhopal, the capital city
of Madhya Pradesh, is a good mix of the old and the new with a lot of old
sections of Bhopal reminiscent of the glorious Mughal influence and the new
showcasing the planned development of a modern India with promenades and
museums.
Things to see and do: Lakes, Taj-ul-Masjid, Jama Masjid, Moti
Masjid, Manav Sanghralaya (Museum of Mankind), trip to Bhimbetka caves.
Best time to Visit : November through February.
Super Tip :
· Summers are very severe. Carry enough sun protection
especially when visiting Bhimbetka caves.
· Strangely not too many locals know about Manav Sanghralaya.
Hence keep the address and phone numbers handy.
Apart from all this stated in
the article above, there are few other places like Ujjain, Indore, Ratlam which
cannot be ignored but can be easily clubbed with some of the other places
above.
Visit the Heart of India – you will feel the heart beating within you.
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