Important Tourist Places and Attractions in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal

Location: Central India. The state is sharing border with 6 states of India – Chhattisgarh towards south-east, south-west border touches "Maharashtra", western border touches "Gujarat", north-west border touches "Rajasthan", and north-east border touches "Uttar Pradesh".

Language: Hindi is the main dialect. Bhilodi (Bhili), Gondi, and the isolate Kalto (Nahali) is spoken in the tribal area. Sindhi, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati and Marathi are other prominent languages spoken in Madhya Pradesh.

• Religion: Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism
• Best Time to Visit Madhya Pradesh: October to March

Major Tourism Cities in Madhya Pradesh : Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Raipur, Maheshwar, Mandu, Omkareshwar, Orchha, Pachmarhi, Pench, Sanchi, Salkanpur, Udayagiri, Amarkantak, Bandhavgarh, , Bhedaghat, Bhimbetka, Bhojpur, Burhanpur, Chanderi, Chitrakoot, Choral, Halali.

Temperature: 

• Summer (March to September): 40°C -42° C
• Winter (October to February): 18°C -28° C

What to See in Madhya Pradesh:

Fort, Palace, National Park, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, Temples, Lakes, and Waterfalls

Welcome to the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh. The exotic land is an intoxicating mixture of rich history, vibrant sights, awe-spring art and pious shrines. From north to south, east to west, Madhya Pradesh is adorned with beautiful attractions. On the state's rugged Northern side, there are the famous temples of Khajuraho, while two of the India's most famous wildlife sanctuaries- Kanha and Bandhavgarh are embracing the state's area. Towards the southwest are the Buddhist stupas of Sanchi and 15th-century citadels of Mandu. Madhya Pradesh is India's political and cultural heartbeat with the presence of large tribal population and temples.

It is a must see State of the India, brimming with starlet and thought provoking attractions. A world Heritage site of Bhimbetka rock shelters promoting the world's oldest prehistoric, paintings, erotic sculptures of Khajuraho temples, exquisite wildlife, abandoned ruins of Orchha and Mandu, spiritual temples of Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, and Sanchi, picturesque beauty of Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh has it all to be called exotic place.

The second largest state in India, Madhya Pradesh is an amalgamation of paradoxes and mysteries. Some of the prominent cities that should be visited on a trip to Madhya Pradesh are Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Raipur, Maheshwar, Mandu, Omkareshwar, Orchha, Pachmarhi, Pench, Sanchi and Bandhavgarh. No matter what kind of traveler the tourist is, Madhya Pradesh can take their breath away at every turn of the journey. To add to it, Madhya Pradesh is a thriving hub of adventure sports, offering more than enough for the ones who live for that surge of adrenaline.

From food to culture to heritage to traditional values, Madhya Pradesh is one such land that houses the best of India. Go to Madhya Pradesh if tourists want to witness the majestic heritages and rich cultural traditions of India.

Things to Do and See in Madhya Pradesh:

Experience the Greatness of Nature: With the forest cover of 77,700 square kilometre area, Madhya Pradesh is deemed as number one in the country in terms of forest area. More than 80% of tourist footfall to the state is just because of nature and wildlife. There are around 9 national parks, 25 wildlife sanctuaries and 6 wildlife reserves in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh has the third largest tiger population in India.

The state also harbors 18 biosphere reserves and a large number of natural reserves. Wildlife tourism is one such thing for which entire Madhya Pradesh is proud. Bandhavgarh National Park, Pench National Park, Kanha National Park, Panna National Park and Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh display some of the best wildlife in India. The heart of India, Madhya Pradesh is a kaleidoscope of nature. Plan a jungle tour to Madhya Pradesh to catch the true spirit of the Indian jungle.

Visit the Religious Landmarks: Madhya Pradesh is synonymous with eternal beauty and is a land of spiritual significance. The pious land is the home of the two jyotirlingas, India's most famous pilgrimages. Also in the gigantic state one can see the India's oldest Buddhist structures in Sanchi. Some of the country's most beautiful mosques are in Madhya Pradesh. Taj-Ul-Masjid, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid and Hussaini Masjid are some of the most impressive Muslim religious buildings in Madhya Pradesh.

The most renowned pilgrimage centres of Madhya Pradesh are Bhopal, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Ujjain, Bhopal, Amarkantak, Sanchi, Chitrakoot. Go to Madhya Pradesh to seek spiritual enlightenment and witness some of the best pilgrimages and well-maintained centres of India.

Tryst with the History: Meandering roads of Madhya Pradesh will make one meet the history. Madhya Pradesh is a city of history and architecture. In the bygone era, the land was ruled by Maurya, Gupta, Mughals and Rajputs. Many monuments are present in Madhya Pradesh that narrates the tales of the past. Heritage sites of Madhya Pradesh are broadly classified into four categories namely heritage monuments, caves, temples, palaces and forts.

Every fort has its individual charm and charisma. Sanchi Stupa, Temples in Khajuraho, Rock Shelters in Bhimbetka, Gwalior Fort, Devi Jagadambi Temple, Jain Temples at Badoh-Pathari and Orchha Temples are the finest examples of heritage in Madhya Pradesh. All these places are glorious nestled in the state and depict the history of the eternal land.

Witness the Cascading Beauties of Madhya Pradesh: Not just majestic monument but waterfalls are also an important landmark of Madhya Pradesh. There are multiple waterfalls in MP and mostly are known for its majestic beauty and appeal. Monsoon is the best season to see these cascades in full swing and glory. Famous waterfalls of Madhya Pradesh include Bhoora Khon, Dugdhdhara, Pandav, Bahuti, Keoti, Rajat Prapat, etc. All these waterfalls might not be gigantic, but they are beautiful and scenic. Bahuti Falls is the highest waterfall in MP. Some of these waterfalls are sights to behold in summer seasons as well. Don't forget to visit one of the cascading beauties on a trip to MP.

Get High on Festivities-Be a Part of Awesome Celebrations: People of Madhya Pradesh know how to celebrate any festival. From the Ujjain Kumbh Mela to Easter, Madhya Pradesh is known as the land of spirituality. There are so many celebrations going on in the state that it can fill the entire calendar with the festival entry. Major festivals of Madhya Pradesh are Holi, Diwali, Dushera, Id-ul- Fitr, and Krishna Janmashtami. But this is just not the end, Madhya Pradesh has many other things to offer.

Each year Madhya Pradesh becomes the backdrop for a celebration of Indian dance and music. One can even say that MP is the lyrical state of India. Famous dance and music festivals that are celebrated in MP are Lokrang Samaroh, Allauddin Khan Sangeet Samaroh, Khajuraho Dance Festival, Tansen Music Festival, Nimar Utsav, Dhrupad Samaroh, Bhavbhuti Samaroh, Chakradhar Samaroh and Pachmarhi Utsav. The objective of all these festivals is to carry forward the rich legacy of India, also to bring together artists and celebrate their crafts on an international stage.

It will be great if tourists plan their holiday around regional events as with this they will experience the best of local flavors and relaxing sightseeing.

See the Art of the Past: No trip to Madhya Pradesh is complete without experiencing some of its world-class museums. Museums here bring back the golden era when the Mauryas, Rajputs, and Mughals used to rule in India. The beautiful museum of MP speaks about its history, diversity and cultural lifestyle of various kings who have ruled the state.

The most renowned museum in Madhya Pradesh is the Sanchi Museum, which stores the Buddhist artefacts from the 3rd Century. The Archaeological Museum in Khajuraho exhibits more than 3200 sculptures. Dedicated to Scindia's, one of the most renowned families of India, H.H Maharaja Sir Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum in Gwalior has an unparalleled collection of art masterpieces.

Take a tour to the heritage museums of MP, which give a peek into the rich cultural past of the land. Since Madhya Pradesh is a home of the tribal groups, there are some museums that tell about the tribal lifestyle. Things on display here are the most distinguished collections in tribal, folk art and other art forms that are mostly neglected.

Rendezvous with Marble Rocks: There are many attractions in Madhya Pradesh, which makes it stand out among other states in India. The presence of majestic marble rocks in Bhedaghat makes Madhya Pradesh world famous and unique tourist destination. The towering 100-foot long gorges comprise of glittering white rock, on the either side of the Narmada river looks breathtaking. These glittering white rocks are not marbles, but the white magnesium limestone streaked with shades of green, blue and black. Changing kaleidoscope of sun and shadows on the surrounding mountains dancing on the pristine blue water of the Narada river reflects the different moods of nature.

White marble rocks with the lining of green and the pristine blue river running on its side, it seems like multiple hues associated with nature are immersed here. The scenery present the magnificent view in sunlight as well as a spectacular panorama during the moonlit night. Don't forget to see the rock formation with the names such as Monkey's leap and Elephant foot. Also to see here are carved images of the deities, candle stands, ashtrays, and boxes. Here the boating facility is also available from November to May, everywhere.

Relish Scrumptious Cuisines: Everything about Madhya Pradesh is unique. Right from its monuments to its tradition, everything associated with this state is unusual and cuisines of this Malwa region state are no exception to it. Located right in the heart of India, there is no dearth of traditional mouth-watering Malwa food in MP. Come to Madhya Pradesh to relish the scrumptious cuisines, irrespective of the fact whether tourists are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

When in Madhya Pradesh, non-vegetarians should relish Roghan Josh. Also, don't forget to try out the karma. Vegetarian items include 'Bhutte ki Kees' and 'Chakki ki shack', which is now popular in places such as Gujarat and Rajasthan. The most eccentric of all Cuisinart of MP is the tribal food that is not very much sought. The tribal dishes of Madhya Pradesh include 'Paniya' and 'Rabdi' (Maize Porridge). One can raise a toast to the beauty of tribal cuisine with its local liquor called Mahua. This drink is offered to the deities during certain celebrations too. Get set to dazzle your taste buds in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh is one that place where hungry visitors will never be disappointed.

Madhya Pradesh is a blend of history and modernization. Embark on a trip to MP to witness the most vivid wildlife sanctuaries, religious shrines and heritage locations. The state is a complete package of attractions that are spotted in different parts of India. People who want to see the diverse side of India, Madhya Pradesh is a must visit.

Some Interesting Facts about Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh also has the largest reserves of diamond and copper in India, apart from significant reserves of limestone, manganese, and dolomite. Panna is the most famous diamond reserve in India.

Area wise, Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state in the country.

Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is an epitome of artistic activities. Kandariya Mahadev and Dulhadeo temples are the famous architectural wonders of Chandel rulers in the medieval period.

Ujjain has India's first observatory (or Vedh Shala) called Jantar Mantar. A total of 5 Jantar Mantars was built by Maharaja Jai Singh between 1724 & 1735, of which only the one in Ujjain is still functional.

Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh is one the four places where famous Kumbh Mela is organized in every 12 years.

Jai Villas Palace in Madhya Pradesh houses two chandeliers, each weighing 3.5 tons. The two chandeliers are said to be one of the largest in the world. Ten elephants were used to stamp on the roof to test whether the roof of the museum can take the pressure of the chandeliers. The gold paint used in the room the chandeliers are in is estimated to weigh 58 kg.

Madhya Pradesh frontiers with six states of India - Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, Chhattisgarh to the southeast, Maharashtra to the south, Gujarat in the west, and Rajasthan to the north-west.

Madhya Pradesh is known as the 'heart of India' because of its geographical location in India and its rich heritage.

In the year 2015, Madhya Pradesh won the Safari India, South Asia Travel Award as the Best State for Pilgrimage Tourism.