10 Best Places to Visit in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, in central India, draws visitors with well-preserved remnants of its compelling history. Its many abandoned cities provide an intriguing window to the past, so different from the congested India of today. In further contrast, the national parks of Madhya Pradesh offer some of India's best jungle lodges and wildlife spotting opportunities. Here are the top Madhya Pradesh tourist places.

1- Khajuraho Erotic Temples

At a distance of 47 km from Chhatarpur, 118 km from Satna, 179 km from Jhansi, 223 km from Kanpur, 265 km from Jabalpur, 283 km from Gwalior, 283 km from Allahabad, 388 km from Bhopal and 624 km from Delhi, Khajuraho is a historical town located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho is one of the top places to visit in Madhya Pradesh and among the must include places in your Madhya Pradesh tour packages.

Earlier, Khajuraho was the cultural capital of Chandela Rajputs who ruled this part of India during 10th to 12th centuries AD. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela monarchs over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150 AD. After the fall of Chandela rulers, these temples were abandoned and long-forgotten until rediscovered by British Captain T.S. Burt, in 1838 AD. Known around the world for its stunning temples adorned by erotic carvings, the Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered to be one of the seven wonders of India.

The marvelous architecture and erotic carvings are the best and most notable aspects of Khajuraho temples. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about 8 square miles. The temples also have numerous other sculptures depicting the life of a common man in that era. Khajuraho ...

2- Gwalior

At a distance of 121 km from Agra, 174 km from Mathura, 268 km from Kanpur, 330 km from New Delhi, 334 km from Lucknow, 346 km from Jaipur, 448 km from Bhopal and 459 km from Allahabad, Gwalior is a historical city situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the important tourist places near Agra and also one of the top tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh.

One of the most beautiful cities of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior is very famous for its glorious history and rich cultural heritage. After being founded by Maharaja Suraj Sen in 8th century AD, Gwalior Fort was described as the pearl amongst fortresses in India. The city and its fortress have been ruled by several historic northern Indian kingdoms. From the Tomars in the 13th century, it was passed on to the Mughal Empire, then to the Maratha in 1754, followed by the Scindias in 18th century AD.

Well-known for its ancient temples, marvelous palaces and alluring monuments, Gwalior is the tourist capital of Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior is best known for being the birthplace of the great musician, Tansen. And apart from all this, Gwalior was also one among the five princely states that got the honor of 21 gun salute during the British rule. Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Mahal, Teli ka Mandir, Sun Temple, Gujari Mahal, Sas Bahu Temple, Man Mandir Palace are some of the popular places to visit in Gwalior. Gwalior ...

3- Orchha

Orchha, means a 'hidden place', is situated on the banks of Betwa River and is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. It is one of the popular heritage places to visit near Gwalior and Kanpur. Orchha was established in 1501 AD by Bundela king Rudra Pratap Singh, who became the first emperor of Orchha, (1501-1531) and also built the Orchha Fort, must visit places as part of Orchha packages.

Besides Orchha Fort, Chaturbhuj Temple, Chhatris, Lakshmi Narayan Temple and Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the famous tourist places in Orchha. It can be visited along with Jhansi tour packages.

4-Bandhavgarh National Park

Situated in Vindhya Hills, Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the renowned places of wildlife in India, and among the best tourist places in Madhya Pradesh. It is about 169 km from Jabalpur, and 452 km from Bhopal.

Covering over an area of about 1536 sq. km, Bandhavgarh is known to have the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers in the world and the frequent sightings of royal tigers make this national park a must-visit for all wildlife enthusiasts. One can spot more than 22 species of mammals including Common Langurs, Rhesus Macaque, the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Gray Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, and Leopard as part of Bandhavgarh holiday packages.

The park has three gates, namely Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli. Out of these three, Tala gate is the most popular as it has more chances of tiger spotting. These are closed for visitors during the monsoon months while the buffer zones Dhamokhar, Panpatha, and Johila are opened throughout the year. Jeep safaris are conducted in all zones while Canter Safari is available only in Maghadhi and Khitauli Zones.

5- Sanchi

Famous worldwide for its Buddhist monuments, Sanchi is one of the popular places of heritage in Madhya Pradesh. It is located about 21 km from Raisen, and 46 km from Bhopal.

Among the top places to visit near Bhopal, the town of Sanchi is the center of a region with innumerable age-old stupas, monasteries, temples, monolithic pillars, and other remnants of the rich Buddhist culture. The monuments of Sanchi are probably the best-preserved group of Buddhist monuments in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Sanchi holiday packages.

A renowned UNESCO World Heritage site, the Great Stupa is one of the oldest stone structures in India and was installed by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty in the 3rd century BC. This Greco-Buddhist-style monument is believed to hold the bones and beads of some of the closest disciples of Buddha. Besides, Ashoka Pillar, the Great Bowl, Sanchi Museum, Gupta Temple, and Udayagiri Caves are the other tourist places in Sanchi.

6- Pachmarhi

Situated at an altitude of 1,067 m in a valley of the Satpura Range, Pachmarhi is a stunning hill station located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, India. About 194 km from Bhopal, it is one of the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh, and among the best tourist places in Madhya Pradesh.

Treasured with ancient caves of the Buddhist era, and bewitching forests of the Satpuras with the streams and waterfalls, Pachmarhi is a perfect places to visit as part of Bhopal tour packages. Bee Falls, Jata Shankar Caves, Pandava Caves, Dhoopgarh, Handi Khoh, Mahadeo Hill, Duchess Falls, Priyadarshini Point (Forsyth Point), Chauragarh Temple, Gupt Mahadev, etc., are some of the top and major Pachmarhi tourist places.

Often called 'Satpura ki Rani' or the 'Queen of the Satpura Range', it is also a part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. One can also visit Satpura National park along with Pachmarhi holiday packages.

7-Kanha National Park

At a distance of 15 km from Mocha, 59 km from Mandla, 106 km from Balaghat, 146 km from Gondia, 184 km from Jabalpur, 224 km from Raipur, 264 km from Nagpur, and 421 km from Bhopal, Kanha National Park is nestled in the Maikal range of Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh. Located in Mandla and Balaghat districts, it is the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh and among the popular tourist places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

Positioned in the central region of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha was established as a sanctuary in the year 1933. It was declared as a National Park in 1955 and eventually made a Tiger Reserve in 1973. Kanha is one of the first Tiger Reserves to work for Project Tiger in India. Sprawling over an area of 2059.7 sq. km, it comprises of 940 sq. km core zone, 1009 sq. km of the buffer zone and 110.79 sq. km of neighbouring Phen Sanctuary. The park encompasses Banjar and Hallon valleys, Sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and winding streams.

Kanha got its name from the texture of the soil found in the park, which is locally called Kanhar. Kanha National Park is one of the most well managed, tourist-friendly & popular tiger reserves of India. Kanha has the highest density of tiger population in the state with around 80 big cats wandering aimlessly in the forest area. Besides its rich tiger population, there are also around 100 leopards, a huge population of deer and antelopes, including some 400 southern ...

9-Bhimbetka

The archaeological site of Bhimbetka is one of the popular places of heritage in Madhya Pradesh, and among the top tourist places in Madhya Pradesh. About 45 km from Bhopal, it is situated inside the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, embedded in sandstone rocks, in the foothills of the Vindhya Range.

The site consists of around 750 rock shelters distributed over 10 km (6.2 mi) which are the must-visit attractions of Bhimbetka holiday packages. The Bhimbetka group contains 243 of these, while the Lakha Juar group nearby has 178 shelters. The Bhimbetka site has the oldest-known rock art in India. Among all other caves, Auditorium Cave is one of the significant features of the site. Bhimbetka can also be visited along with Bhopal tour packages.

Out of the 750 rock shelters, 500 are adorned with interesting paintings and the earliest are about 30,000 years old. However, only 15 caves are opened for visitors. The paintings in the caves are completely diverse in nature as the caves have been around for millennia, and are executed with themes taken from the everyday events of the people who lived in the caves.

10-Malwa Region Golden Triangle: Mandu, Ujjain, Omkareshwar

The Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh is situated in the southwest portion of the state), with Indore as the point of entry. Ujjain, Mandu and Omkareshwar popularly make up its "Golden Triangle". Ujjain is one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities, and one of the four locations of the Kumbh Mela. Most importantly, it's home to the Mahakaleshwar Temple, which has one of India’s 12 sacred Jyotirlingams

The abandoned city of Mandu was once the lavish home of the Mughals, who indulged themselves by its many lakes and palaces. Mandu's crumbling buildings, encircled by a long 45 kilometer (28 miles) stretch of wall with 12 gateways, still hint of its grandiose past.

Omkareshwar, an island in the Narmada river, is said to appear like the symbol “Om” when viewed from above. It's another of the 12 Jyotirlingam sites, and this, added to the presence of the Holy Narmada, draws generations of devout pilgrims. It's popular with travelers too, as a place to chill out.

About Madhya Pradesh

: Madhya Pradesh: A Land of Natural Beauty

Madhya Pradesh, located in central India, is a state that boasts of natural beauty and diverse cultural heritage. The state is known for its rich history, architectural wonders, and stunning landscapes.

The state is home to numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Some of the popular national parks include Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, and Pench National Park. These parks are home to a variety of wildlife including tigers, leopards, elephants, and many other rare species. The national parks are also a great place for birdwatchers, with over 350 species of birds found in the state.

Apart from its wildlife, Madhya Pradesh is also known for its beautiful landscapes. The state is home to several hill stations such as Pachmarhi, which is surrounded by waterfalls, caves, and beautiful forested hills. Another popular hill station is Chanderi, which is known for its ancient forts and temples.

Madhya Pradesh is also famous for its rich cultural heritage. The state has numerous ancient temples and palaces that are architectural marvels. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its stunning and intricate sculptures. Other popular monuments include the Gwalior Fort, Sanchi Stupa, and Mandu.

The state is also known for its handicrafts, which are a reflection of its rich cultural heritage. The state is famous for its Chanderi and Maheshwari saris, which are made using traditional weaving techniques. The state is also famous for its leatherwork, metalwork, and woodwork.

In conclusion, Madhya Pradesh is a state of incredible beauty and cultural richness. It is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and history buffs. With its stunning landscapes, ancient monuments, and vibrant culture, Madhya Pradesh is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits it.