Madhya Pradesh
Explore the heart of India by visiting the most amazing tourist places in Madhya Pradesh. Blessed with diverse wildlife and fascinating history, places to visit in Madhya Pradesh are a visual treat for tourists. The state is known for its vibrant culture and one can witness the splendour of heritage at various places. With so many famous places in Madhya Pradesh, tourists can gear up for an exciting vacation in the state. It doesn’t matter if you set adventure or a cultural extravaganza as your vacation goal, Madhya Pradesh will offer you numerous memories to cherish forever. From food to culture, heritage to traditional values, Madhya Pradesh is one such land that houses the best of India. 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. Many monuments are present in Madhya Pradesh that narrates the tales of the past. Innumerable monuments, intricately carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces are dotted all over the State. The natural beauty of the state is equally varied. Consisting largely of a plateau, the State has everything, from mighty mountain ranges to meandering rivers to miles of verdant forests. 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 of the Indian jungle. Water sports, caravan journeys, river cruise, sound and light shows, tribal life, Madhya Pradesh has everything for every travel thirsty soul. This state abodes three world heritage sites, lots of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, it is heaven for adventure lovers and truly gratifying destination in India which has something to offer for everyone. The best part about Madhya Pradesh is its accessibility. It is equally close to major tourist destinations from all over the country, being the ‘Heart of India’.
Khajuraho
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a collection of Hindu temples and Jain temples in Madhya Pradesh, India. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are notable for their nagara-style architecture and their beautiful carvings. The intricacy and detail of every sculpture is sharp and well-defined, making them some of the most well-preserved monuments from that era. While the temples are largely known for their erotic art, there is an arcane symbolism within every structure. The records of the Chandela dynasty that commissioned these temples indicates that the temples were laid out with a deep understanding of the Hindu scriptures, and represent the goals of an ideal life and the path to salvation. The temples of Khajuraho are India’s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman’s artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed. They show a celebration of love, life, and worship. These are thousand year old temples still standing strong as the foundation of India’s unique architecture.
Orchha
Orchha holds ancient and beautiful monuments dating back to one thousand years. It is renowned for its grand palaces, magnificently carved temples and fascinating forts, located on the banks of river Betwa, Orchha with a great historical significance. Orchha fort complex is a must visit attraction of town with a number of palaces within it portraying the stories of wonderful past. It is the only place in country where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king and not as a god.
Pachmarhi
Pachmarhi is the only hill station in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This place is popularly known as Satpura Ki Rani. Caves-shrines of Shiva, dense forests, and steep-sided valleys located here offer a rich experience to the escapist travellers. This hill station is an epitome of natural beauty and renders the tourists with utter quietude. Positioned isolated from the boisterous city crowd, this hill station is a heaven for serenity lovers. This is a perfect place to enjoy some memorable and romantic we-time with the partner. While exploring the extraordinary diversity of Madhya Pradesh, don’t miss out on this majestic landscape.
Pench National Park
The beautiful Pench National Park is set in a flourishing teak jungle, which is home to various deer species, tiger and leopard. There are more than 170 species of birds comprising various migratory ones like peafowl, crow pheasant, junglefowl, red-vented bulbul, crimson-breasted barbet, magpie robin, lesser whistling teal, racket-tailed drongo, egret, pintail, shoveler, herons to name a few. The area has always been rich in wildlife. A spectacular natural reserve, set among typical central Indian teak jungle, Pench National Park offers a quiet and secluded game viewing experience. The deep, dark jungles of Kanha inspired Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, and gave us a slew of immortal characters from Mowgli to Sher Khan, Bagheera to Baloo.
Kanha National Park
Kanha National park is a haven of a remarkably wide species of wild animals that include majestic beast tigers, jackals and wild pigs. It is rich in lush saal and bamboo forests, lakes, streams, and open grasslands. As well as tigers, the park abounds with barasingha (swamp deer) and an extensive variety of other animals and birds. Rather than offering one particular kind of animal, it provides an all-round nature experience. A mixed forest of grassy meadows and winding ravines, Kanha National Park was one of the first areas in India to fall under the Project Tiger conservation program to save the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Bandhavgarh National Park
Earlier it was a hunting area for the Maharajas of Rewa, now it is a world-famous tiger reserve. A vast biodiversity and highest number of tiger population in India is at Bandhavgarh. It also holds a large breeding population of leopards and several species of deer. The park features dense green valleys and rocky hill terrain, with an ancient fort. In addition to tigers, the park has a large array of wildlife including sloth bears, deer, leopards, jackals, and birds. If the thick bamboo forest and dense greenery with streams, rivers and waterfalls are not enchanting enough, the 1st Century fortress ruins and the rich biodiversity make Bandhavgarh a favourite for wildlifers and photographers alike.
Mahakaleshwar ( Ujjain)
Kedarnath temple is one of the sacred pilgrimage centre in Northern India, located on the bank of Mandakini river. It is one of the most sacred temples and the holiest Hindu pilgrimages in India. It is the most important among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector, and the destroyer, and it’s believed that a journey to Kedarnath provides one “Moksha” or salvation. During the winters from November to May, the diety is shifted from Kedarnath Temple to Ukhitmath and is worshipped there. It is not just temples and shrines that Kedarnath is famed for. This lovely land on the majestic backdrop of the lower Himalayas is naturally bestowed with some of the wonderful vistas of nature. The undulating landscapes of this snowy region offer delightful time of escapades.
Omkareshwar
Gangotri temple is located in Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand. The temple is nested amidst the beautiful surroundings of deodars and pine trees. The main origin of the river is Gaumukh which is a glacier located 19 km away from gangotri temple. The river Ganga originates from the Gangotri glacier. Just the perfect destination to breath in a serene and pious atmosphere, Gangotri has the charm to attract people from all over. The striking presence of the snow-clad mountains in the vicinity and the pure crystal clear water of the Ganges flowing around add to the sanctity of the place. One feels close to God in the high altitude of Gangotri. Non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are a strict no-no.
Maheshwar
Maheshwar, the Varanasi of central India, is a small holy town dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on the banks of the river Narmada, Maheshwar is an important pilgrimage center, with temples and colorful festival celebrations throughout the year. It was the former capital of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar’s region and is renowned for its temples and architecture. The temple town also finds its mention in epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. With a culture recorded in the ancient scriptures, Maheshwar’s legacy today is that of handlooms.
Mandu
Mandu was once known as the ‘City of Joy’ (an epithet later given to the city of Kolkata by the author Dominique Lapierre, in his novel of the same name). The architectural beauty in the land fight with the scenic landscape to draw your attention. This fabulous city is so deeply soaked into the ruins of the architectural wonders of the antique times that it is certainly going to take you back in time, it is a must-visit place for history fanatic.