Madhya Pradesh is the fondly dubbed ‘The Heart of India‘. This beautiful state provides the traveller with a multitude of travel options including tiger rich National Parks, prehistoric cave sites, ancient Hindu, Jain & Buddhist monuments, intricately carved temples & stupas, historic forts & palaces, lofty hills and prominent religious centers.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN MADHYA PRADESH
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.
When to go : November through March.
Our 2 cents :
- 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.
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.
When to go : October through March.
Our 2 cents :
- 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.
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.
When to go : The climate is very comfortable between November and February. May & June, although very warm months, are the best times for wildlife spotting.
Our 2 cents :
- 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.
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.
When to go : November through February.
Our 2 cents :
- 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.
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.
When to go : 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.
Our 2 cents :
- Bicycles are available for rent. This is an fun way to explore the city.
- Summers can be quite severe. Carry adequate sun protection.
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.
When to go : November to March has pleasant weather. April through June, although very warm months, are the best times for wildlife spotting.
Our 2 cents :
- 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).
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.
When to go : October through February.
Our 2 cents :
- 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.
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.
When to go : November through February.
Our 2 cents :
- 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.
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