The Heart of India - Madhya Pradesh
Why Go?
The vast state of Madhya Pradesh (MP) offers the promise of things majestic, beautiful and historic. Tigers, architectural beauties, temples, ruins, forts, Buddhist caves, its all there. Then why not head to the very heart of India?
Cities
Bhopal
Indore
Gwalior
Jabalpur
Ujjain
Heritage & Culture
Khajuraho Temples
Sanchi Stupa
Bhimbetka Caves
Gwalior Fort
Cenotaphs - Orchha
Jahaz Mahal - Mandu
wildlife
Panna National Park
Kanha Tiger Reserve
Bandhavgarh National Park
Pench National Park
nature
Panchmarhi
Bhedaghat Marble Rocks
Dhuandhar Falls
Satpura & Vindhya Hills
Pilgrim centers
Omkareshwar
Maheshwar
Amarantak
Mahakaleshwar Temple - Ujjain
Bawangaja Jain temples
Jama Masjid - Mandu
Possible Trips
Best Time to Visit
- Summer for wildlife sightings, Panchmarhi
- Monsoon for Chitrakoot falls, Hills of Satpura and Vindhya. Also the shoulder season.
- Winter for UNESCO World Heritage sites, wildlife safaris
Seasons
- Summer: From April till June
- Monsoon: from July till September
- Winters: From October till March
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- Area: 3.08 lakhs sq kms
- Capital: Bhopal
- Population: 72 million
- Primary Language: Hindi
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On account of its central position, all historical currents had apparently passed through Madhya Pradesh, leaving conspicuous marks on it.
The prehistoric period begins with the stone age, which the sites such as Bhimbetka, Adamgarh, Jaora, Raisen, Pachmarhi, etc. stand witness to.
However the dynastic history begins with the time of Ashoka, the great Buddhist emperor whose Mauryan empire was powerful in Malwa and Avanti. King Ashoka's wife is said to be from Vidisha, a town located north of today's Bhopal. The Maurya Empire declined after death of Ashoka and central India was contested among the Shungas, Kushanas, Satvahanas and local dynasties during 3rd to 1st centuries BC.
In the 1st century BC, Ujjain was the predominant commercial centre. This area became part of northern India during Gupta empire in 4th 6th centuries AD, the era known as classical age. Onslaughts of Huna brought about the collapse of Gupta Empire resulting in its disintegration into smaller states.
However, a king Yasodharman of Malwa defeated the Hunas in 528 AD ending their expansion.
Later Harsa of Thaneshwar reunited northern India till 647 AD before his death. In the medieval period Rajput, clans like Paramaras of Malwa and Chandelas of Bundelkhand dominated the region during 950-1060 AD. The paramara king Raja Bhoj, who gave the name to city of Bhopal, ruled over Indore and Dhar. Gond Kingdoms emerged in Gondwana and Mahakoshal.
In the 13th century, northern Madhya Pradesh was conquered by the Delhi Sultanate which collapsed in 14th century giving emergence to regional kingdoms like Tomars of Gwalior and Muslim Sultanate of Malwa with its capital at Mandu.
Content source: MP Madhyam (http://www.mp.gov.in/web/guest/home-history)
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Sanchi 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Situated on a hilltop in Sanchi town
- Commissioned by Emporer Asoka in the 3rd century BCE
- Buddhist architectural masterpieces
don't miss
- The Ashoka Pillar
- The ASI Museum
- Gupta Temple
- Nearby Udayagiri caves
TRAVEL TIPS
- Timings: Stupa - 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, Museum - 10 am to 5 pm
(Timings may change on public holidays)
- Suggested duration - 3 hours
- Hire a guide from the ASI
Bhimbetka 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Largest group of rock shelters in the World (over 700)
- Paintings depicting the life of prehistoric cave dwellers
TRAVEL TIPS
- Timing - 6.30 am to 5.30 pm (all days of the week)
- Fees - Entry (10 INR), Vehicle parking (50 INR)
- Suggested Duration - 2 to 3 hours
- It is advisable to carry sun protection, water, snacks.
Udaygiri
HIGHLIGHTS
- 29 rock cut caves
- Massive Varaha Avtar of Vishnu
- Mesmerising view of the town
- Sunset
TRAVEL TIPS
- Timing - 9 am to 6 pm (all days of the week)
- No entry fee
- Parking available
- Suggested Duration - 2 hours
- Best time to visit is 9 am to 10 am or 5 pm to 6 pm
- Involves a trek to reach the caves
Gwalior City
the city
Gwalior is one of the big cities of MP
BEST TIME TO VISIT
November to February would be good
Gateways
Airport
Main Railway Station - Gwalior Junction
ATTRACTIONS
Gwalior Fort 
HIGHLIGHTS
- In existence since the 6th century
- Imposing structure dominating city landscape of Gwalior
- Architectural marvels within the fort
- Jain sculptures
TRAVEL TIPS
Timings - 6.30 am to 9.15 pm (all days of the week)
Light and Sound Show (7.30 pm in Hindi and 8.30 pm in English)
Fees - Entry (128 INR)
Time needed to explore - 3 to 4 hours
Bateshwar 
HIGHLIGHTS
- 200 sandstone Hindu temples & their ruins
- Bateshwar’s rebirth is the story of labour of love of K. K Muhammad. He was the ASI man during that time.
- Nirbhay Singh Gujjar, one of the last dacoits of the Chambal, and his gang helped the ASI extensively in the restoration of these temples
TRAVEL TIPS
Timings - 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (all days of the week)
Fees - Entry (15 INR)
Time needed to explore - 2 to 3 hours
Indore 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Nagara style architecture
- Erotic Sculptures
- Hindu and Jain temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple being the most famous
TRAVEL TIPS
- Site Timing - 8 am to 6 pm (all days of the week), Fees - INR 10
- Sound and Light Show - Timing: 6.30 pm to 7.25 pm (Oct-Feb), 7.30 pm to 8.25 pm (Mar-Sep), Fees (INR 250)
- Museum Timings - 10 am to 5 om (Closed on Fridays), Fees - INR 10
Rajwada 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Mix of European, Maratha and Mughal architecture
- Displays the Royal grandeur of Indian history
- Was damaged during the 1984 riots
- Rebuilt using the 200-year old blue print, using the same materials that were used earlier
TRAVEL TIPS
- Timing - 11 am to 9 pm (closed on Monday), Fees - INR 10
- Suggested duration - 1 hour
Lal Bagh Palace
HIGHLIGHTS
- Built by Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar in the year 1886-1921
- The main gates, a replica of the Buckingham palace gates, were shipped from England
- Palace exhibits contemporary Indian & Italian paintings and sculptures
- The grand interiors, the furniture, chandeliers, carvings on the columns
DON'T MISS
- The Holkar State Emblem on the Entrance Gates
- The Ballroom
- The rose garden - considered one of the best in the country
TRAVEL TIPS
- Timing - 11 am to 5 pm (closed on Monday), Fees - Free
- Suggested duration - 1 hour
- Photography is strictly prohibited inside the palace
Khajuraho
HIGHLIGHTS
- Nagara style architecture
- Erotic Sculptures
- Hindu and Jain temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple being the most famous
TRAVEL TIPS
- Site Timing - 8 am to 6 pm (all days of the week), Fees - INR 10
- Sound and Light Show - Timing: 6.30 pm to 7.25 pm (Oct-Feb), 7.30 pm to 8.25 pm (Mar-Sep), Fees (INR 250)
- Museum Timings - 10 am to 5 om (Closed on Fridays), Fees - INR 10
BROCHURES
| Link | Description |
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Explore the destinations of Western MP |
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A guide for a thoughtful, immersive traveler |
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Wildlife in MP |
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Top historic destinations of Madhya Pradesh |
Click the above brochure/map links to view them below
Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India. It’s glorious past has been witness to all phases of India’s history.
- Area: 3,08,000 sq kms
- Capital: Bhopal
- Primary Language: Hindi
- Website: http://www.mptourism.com/
Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India. It’s glorious past has been witness to all phases of India’s history.
- Area: 3,08,000 sq kms
- Capital: Bhopal
- Primary Language: Hindi
- Website: http://www.mptourism.com/
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By Arun.arunb – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51888088
The vast state of Madhya Pradesh (MP) offers the promise of things majestic, beautiful and historic. Tigers, architectural beauties, temples, ruins, forts, Buddhist caves, its all there. Then why not head to the very heart of India?
- Summer: From April till June
- Monsoon: from July till September
- Winters: From October till March
- Khajuraho
- The national animal in its natural habitat
- Orchha
- Pachmarhi
- Omkareshwar
- Mandu
- Maheshwar
Three sites in Madhya Pradesh have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO:
- The Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
- Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
- The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
Links to brochures
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Articles from triparambh travel desk
The history of the Indian state Madhya Pradesh is divided into three periods. During the ancient period, the region was dominated by the Nanda, Maurya, and Gupta Empires.
The medieval period saw the rise of Rajput clans including the Paramara and Chandela clans, the latter known for constructing the temples of Khajuraho. The Malwa Sultanate also ruled during this period. The modern period in Madhya Pradesh saw the rise of the Mughal and Maratha empires, and later, the British Empire.
The British princely states of Gwalior, Indore, and Bhopal, were a part of modern Madhya Pradesh. The British rule continued until the middle of the 20th century, when India gained independence in 1947. The state of Madhya Pradesh was formed in 1956, and Chattisgarh was carved out from the state in 2000.
Madhya Pradesh literally means “Central Province”. It is located in the geographic heart of India in between the latitude of 21.2°N-26.87°N and longitude of 74°59’E-82°06’E. The state straddles the Narmada River, which runs east and west between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges; these ranges and the Narmada are the traditional boundaries between the north and south of India.
The highest point in Madhya Pradesh is Dhupgarh, with an elevation of 1,350 m (4,429 ft).
The state is bordered on the west by Gujarat, on the northwest by Rajasthan, on the northeast by Uttar Pradesh, on the east by Chhattisgarh, and on the south by Maharashtra.
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GETTING IN BY AIR
AIRPORTS
| Sl. No. | Location | ICAO | IATA | Airport | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Airports | |||||
| 1 | Bhopal | VOCL | BHO | Raja Bhoj Airport | International |
| 2 | Indore | VAID | IDR | Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport | International |
| Domestic / Regional Airports | |||||
| 3 | Gwalior | VIGR | GWL | Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Air Terminal | Domestic |
| 4 | Jabalpur | VAJB | JLR | Dumna Airport | Domestic |
| 5 | Khajuraho | VAKJ | HJR | Civil Aerodrome Khajuraho | Domestic |
STATIONS
Major railway stations in Madhya Pradesh are Bhopal
- Balaghat Junction
- Bhopal Junction
- Dewas Junction
- Gwalior Junction
- Indore Junction
- Jabalpur Junction
- Ratlam Junction
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The official language of the state is Hindi. In addition Marathi is spoken by a substantial number of the population since the state was home to several important and prestigious Maratha states. The state in fact has the highest concentration of Marathi people outside Maharashtra. Several regional variants are spoken, which are considered by stories be dialects of Hindi, and by others to be distinct but related languages. Among these dialects are Mallvi in Malwa, Nimadi in Nimar, Bundeli in Bundelkhand, and Bagheli in Bagelkhand and the southeast, and Rajashthani in the area near to Rajasthan. Each of these languages has dialects of its own. Other languages include Telugu, Bhilodi (Bhili), Gondi, Korku, Kalto (Nahali), and Nihali (Nahali), all spoken by Adivasis