Lying sprawled across the very heart
of India, occupying an area of 308144 sq. km, is Madhya Pradesh, the largest
state of Central India. It is a land of contrasts -rolling plains
interspersed with hills of Vindhya ranges running east to west across the
middle, river valleys, thick forests and black cotton soil covered Malwa
Plateau. While its central location made M.P the focus of human activity
through the ages, as seen in its many archaeological sites, its vastness has
allowed many areas to continue living in relative isolation. Thus, 23 out of
45 districts have predominantly tribal population. MP is famous throughout
the world for its erotic
temples at Khajuraho.
However, the state has much more than Khajuraho. There are 11 National Parks
and 31 wildlife Sanctuaries. Home to one sixth of the total tiger population
of India, it is little wonder that M.P wears the mantle of ''Tiger State''.
Major Cities in Madhya
Pradesh
With places like Khajuraho, Ujjain, Gwalior and Orchha, the state of Madhya
Pradesh keeps attracting visitors all the year round. Besides, there are
other attractions in terms of wildlife. Some major cities of Madhya Pradesh
are as follows.
Bhopal
Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is stretched out on seven gentle
hills and around two pretty lakes. It is an amalgamation of scenic beauty,
evocative monuments such as the Taj-ul-Masjid, one of the largest mosques in
the country, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid and plenty of other modern buildings.
Gwalior
Gwalior lies towards the north of MP and has had a strong tradition of
Hindustani classical music since medieval times. Tansen's Tomb in Gwalior is
the venue for an annual music festival. The city of Gwalior is dominated by
its massive hilltop Fort, apart from numerous other interesting monuments
including the beautiful Man Singh Palace, the Teli Mandir and the
exquisitely carved Sas Bahu Temple.
Indore
The commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, Indore happens to be the largest
city in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Rajwada, Lalbagh Palace, Kaanch
Mandire, Indore Zoo, Indore Museum, Sitlamata Falls and Thincha Falls are
popular attractions in the city.
Khajuraho
Khajuraho is famous worldwide for its
eroctic sculptures carved on the walls of its temples. Perfect in execution
and sublime in expression, these sculptures capture life and love in its
every form and mood. Built from 950 AD to 1050 AD, these temples present the
vision and architectural prowess of the Chandela Rajputs.
Ujjain
The holy city of Ujjian lies 188 km west of Bhopal on the banks of Shipra
River. According to legend, the gods and demons churned the oceans and found
the vessles of nectar for gaining immortality. During the Kumbh Mela,
millions of Hindu devotees come here for a purifying dip in the river. The
city abounds in temples, with the spire of the Mahakaleshewar Temple being
the most impressive which dominates the skyline of Ujjain.
Orchha
Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy
of the ages. The palaces and temples built by Bundela rulers during the 16th
and 17th centuries still retain much of their pristine perfection. The most
beautiful spot in Orcha is the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace
crowned by graceful chattris. Vibrant and colorful murals in Raj Mahal and
Laxminarayan temple bring the walls and cielings alive.
How to Reach Madhya Pradesh
The state has four domestic airports at Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi.
These airheads are connected to all the major cities in India by important
private and government airlines. There are a number of Airports in the state
located at Gwalior, Khajuraho, Jabalpur and Bhopal. Various flight carriers
provide services between Madhya Pradesh and other major metropolises of the
world. Bhopal is the main railway station of Madhya Pradesh which connects
the state with other major Indian cities through a number of express,
passenger and superfast trains. A strategical network of smooth roads, State
and National Highways connect different cities of Madhya Pradesh with other
neighbouring states. The tourist destinations inside the state are all
located at conveniently approachable distances.
Wildlife Parks in Madhya Pradesh
Kanha National Park and
Bandhavgarh
National Park are two much visited wildlife parks in Madhya Pradesh.
Explore 940 sq kms of forests and grasslands, 300 species of animals, 200
types of exotic birds and take back home the memories of a lifetime. Rudyard
Kipling was so captivated by the place that he chose Kanha as the scene of
action for his famous series the Jungle Book. Bandhavgarh National Park is
not just a sanctuary but also meant for other treasures as well including
the majestic fort, an ancient temple and the giant statue of Lord Vishnu,
lying deep in the sal forests.
Shopping in Madhya Pradesh
The shops of Madhya Pradesh are as famous as its tourist attractions. There
is a wide variety of products you can choose to buy from. Shopping for
handicrafts can be a captivating experience with the immense variety
available. Places like Bhopal and Indore specialize in jewellery, velvet
purses and zari border sarees. The famous Maheshwari Sarees, Chanderi
sarees, brocades and zari work are other famous buys at the place. Besides,
Indore offers you terracota and wood carved objects for making up perfect
curios and gift items. Gwalior, which is the oldest bazaar of Madhya Pradesh
is a famous area for picking up hand woven carpets and woollen material.
