About Madhya Pradesh
The
state of Madhya Pradesh is located in central India. Madhya Pradesh came
into being in 1950 from the erstwhile British Central Provinces and Berar
and the princely states of Makrai and Chhattisgarh. Nagpur was the capital
of the state in those days. Bhopal is the new capital of the state. The
state is known today for its rich cultural legacy. The brilliant
architecture of the temples, forts and monuments and the scenic beauty of
the state ropes in large number of tourists, travellers and historians.
Three sites in Maharshtra are architecturally very significant- the
Khajuraho group of monuments, Buddhist monuments at Sanchi and the Rock
shelters of Bhimbetka. They have also been declared World Heritage Sites by
UNESCO. Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Orchha, Shivpuri and Ujjain are the other
places that are very significant in point of their architectural wealth.
Hindi is the predominating language of the state.
Major Towns and Cities
» Amarkantak - Amarkantak lies at the confluence
of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. Being the source of the rivers Narmada
and Sone, Amarkantak is a popular pilgrimage centre of the Hindus.
» Narmada Udgam Temple - As one moves towards the
south of the main road, one comes to the Narmada Udgam Temple that stands at
the source of the river Narmada. The temple is a huge attraction for the
devotees, as well as for the tourists and the visitors.
» Kapildhara and Dugdhdhara Waterfalls - At a
distance of 12 km from Amarkantak, lie the mystifying falls called
Kapildhara and Dugdhdhara. The waterfalls cascade down from a pretty good
height making it all an enchanting scene for the onlookers.
» Amarkantak Shivratri Mela - Amarkantak Shivratri
Mela is held during the festival of Shivratri. A sizable crowd gathers to
participate in the festivities. The fair is said to be 80 years old.
» Gwalior
- The district of Gwalior is a very significant site from historical
point of view. Gwalior is wrapped up with exquisite palaces, rock-cut
temples, sandstone mosque and a number of elegant statues.
» Gwalior Fort -
The
Gwalior Fort is the main landmark of the city of Gwalior. Built on a steep
mass of sandstone, the fort has magnificent outer walls measuring 2 miles in
length and 35 feet in height. The fort has been a witness to some very
significant events, battles and imprisonment.
» Tansen Samaroh - The Tansen Samaroh is held
every year and a number of far-famed musicians arrive to put up astounding
performances. The locals and the outsiders alike take part in the
celebrations.
» Gwalior Trade Fair - During the months
December-January, the Gwalior Trade Fair is held every year attracting
thousands of visitors from far and wide.
» Bhopal - Bhopal is the capital city of the state
of Madhya Pradesh. The hilly city of Bhopal is located on the Malwa Plateau.
The city has a number of fabulous public parks, gigantic forts and
magnificent mosques.
» Taj-ul-Masaajid - The Taj-ul-Masaajid means
Crown Among Mosques. The mosque was erected by Shahjehan Begum. It is one of
the largest in Asia. The mosque shows exquisite sculptural work and splendid
archways.
» Purana Kila - The Purana Kila is situated in the
Kamla Nehru Park and is a part of the 300-year old fort of queen Kamlapati.
The fort is not a new name for the visitors of Gwalior.
» Van Vihar National Park - The Van Vihar National
Park is located beside the Upper Lake. The park houses a beautiful museum as
well attracting good crowds.
» Bharat Bhavan - Designed by the celebrated
architect Charles Correa, Bharat Bhavan is a chief cultural centre of the
city of Gwalior. The art gallery here exhibits works of famous sculptures
and painters. Bharat Bhavan is one of the most important cultural centres of
India.
» Indore - Indore stands on the banks of the river
Saraswati and Khan. Today , Indore is a chief textile town and also an
important centre of Hindustani Classical Music.
» Chhatri Baugh - Chhatri Baugh is a place where
cenotaphs, in memory of the Holkar rulers and their family, were erected.
Building cenotaphs in memory of rulers was a tradition across Rajasthan and
Madhya Pradesh.
» Kanch Mandir - The Kanch Mandir stands close to
the Rajwada Palace. The temple walls are fabulously studded with myriad
mirrors giving rise to multiple reflections. It is the key attraction of the
city of Indore.
» Lal Baugh Palace - Lal Baugh Palace was the
resident of the erstwhile Holkars. Today, Usha Raje, a direct descendant of
the Holkars lives here. The palace gives an insight into the royal taste of
the Holkars.
» Rajwada Palace - The Rajwada Palace is a seven
storied historical structure. The palace stands in the market place and is a
massive architectural creation of some unknown artisans of the past.
» Khajuraho
- 
The
erstwhile capital of the Chandela Kings, Khajuraho is a collection of
magnificent temples that were built in dedication to the Indian gods. Today,
Khajuraho is a regular haunt of travellers, visitors and holiday-makers.
» The
Khajuraho Temples - The temples of Khajuraho were built between
950 AD and 1050 AD. Out of a total of 85, only 22 temples have stood the
taste of time. The temples of Khajuraho fall into three groups- the western,
the eastern and the southern. Chausath Yogini Temple, Kandariya Mahadev
Temple, Devi Jagdamba Temple are among those that fall into the western
group of temples. Brahma Temple, Vamana Temple, Parsvanath Temple and
Ghantai Temple are in the eastern group of temples. The southern group of
temples include Dulhadeo Temple and Chaturbhuj Temple.
» Archaeological Museum - The Archaeological
Museum exhibits a collection of fine sculptural work, inscriptions and
innumerable architectural objects. The museum is open from 1000 to 1700
hours and is closed on Fridays.
» Orchha
- Orchha lies on the banks of the river Betwa and is 16 km from Jhansi.
The historical monuments of Orchha exist to remind the people of its
glorious past. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput
Rudra Pratap.
» Temples of Orchha - There is a series of
splendid ancient temples in Orchha. The history of the temples date back to
the 17th century. Several thousands of devotees and visitors arrive here to
view the towering spires of the famous Ram Raja Temple. The beautiful
paintings of the Laxmi Narayan Temple is truly worth a visit.
» Phool Bagh - The Phool Bagh or the Flower Garden
is a cool summer retreat and invites hordes of locals as well as outsiders
to enjoy the beauty and the serenity of the garden.
» Ujjain
- 
Ujjain,
located on the banks of river Shirpa, is one of the holiest places of the
Hindus. Ujjain is privileged to have a good number of ancient palaces,
exquisite temples, and some wonderful caves. Lakhs of devotees arrive to
offer prayers at the Mahakaleshwar Temple of Ujjain.
» Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple - The ancient
scripture Puranas refer to the glory of the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Mahakal is
among the 12 famous Jyotirlingas in India. Mahakala was considered to be the
typical presiding deity in Ujjain.
» The Ved Shala (Observatory) - The Ved Shala is
another key attraction of Ujjain. Ujjain had an important place in the field
of Astronomy. Surya Siddhanta and the Panch Siddhanta are great astronomical
works in Ujjain.
» Kalidasa Academy - To pay homage to the great
poet and dramatist Kalidasa, the Government of Madhya Pradesh established
the Kalidasa Academy. The academy complex consists of an exhibition hall, a
library, a seminar hall and a theatre. There are research facilities
provided for the learned and the scholars.
» Pancheshani Yatra - The Pancheshani Yatra is
organised every year with great pomp and ceremony and thousands of people
join in. The Chatdwar Yatra is also connected to the Panchshani Yatra. The
Chatdwar Yatra is a ceremonial visit to the four legendary gates of Ujjain.
» Hill Stations - Panchmarhi is an
excellent summer retreat in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The hill station
has a population of about 14,700 and is perched at an elevation of 1067
metres. The hill station lies 210 km southeast of Bhopal, the capital of the
state. The Sal forests, the Jamun groves, the pools and the waterfalls
invite tourists in great numbers. The valley is in the shape of a saucer and
is truly rewarding in terms of scenic surroundings and the peaceful
environs.
» Wildlife - 
There
is a bunch of national parks in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Bandhavgarh
National Park and the Kanha National Park are the popular of the lot. There
are others as Madhav National Park, Pench National Park and Panna National
Park. The Bandhav National Park is located in the Vindhya hills. The inmates
of this park include barking deer, spotted dear, Nilgai, wild boar, jackal,
sloth bear etc. The park also boasts of its 150 species of birds. The Kanha
National Park is among the most visited wildlife parks in the country. There
are about 175 species of birds in the Kanha Nationla Park. The view of the
mighty tigers from elephant's back is a never-forgetting experience.
