Bhopal
Known as the City of Lakes, Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh and is located in the central part of the Indian Subcontinent. The original name of Bhopal was Bhojpal, after the name of the King Bhoj of Paramara dynasty, who founded and ruled that region for a number of years as well as the dam or "pal" constructed during this period.
However, some people believe that the name was derived from the name of King Bhupal. The modern city of Bhopal was founded by an afghan soldier named Dost Mohammad who left Delhi after the death of Aurangzeb and after several battles, won the place from the queen of Gond. Bhopal remained under Islamic influence after him, especially during the reign of Nizams, before it was conquered by the Marathas in the 18th century. When it came under the British Empire, it was ruled by the Muslim women or begums. That gave the city many things like waterworks, postal system, railways and municipality. As India got its independence in 1947, Bhopal merged with the Indian Union and became a part of Madhya Pradesh as well as, eventually, its capital. During 2002, almost 5.30 crore domestic tourists and around 2.75 lakh international tourists visited the city.
History: Bhopal was founded by the King Bhojaof Paramara dynasty. The city was modernized by an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed Khan, a subordinate of the Mughals. In 1724, Nizam ul Malik, another Mughal nobleman invaded the city and with him, Bhopal came under the rule of the Nizams. Within a few years, the Nizams were defeated by the Marathas, who were defeated by the British in the Anglo-Maratha war. As Bhopal became one of the princely states, four female rulers were given the charge and they ruled for around 100 years through successive generations. Later Bhopal was taken over by the Indian government in the year 1949 and with the state reorganization act, the city came under the jurisdiction of Madhya Pradesh.
Indore
Indore is both traditional and modern. This largest city of the state of Madhya Pradesh in India bears testimony to both historical lineages and ultra-modern economic development. With a rich culture and heritage for its backbone, Indore has always been the forerunner when it came to city planning or progressive education. Today, Indore is one of the fastest growing economies of India with varied industrial sectors such as automobiles, IT, pharmaceuticals, textiles and universities. At the same time, Indore still finds a huge fan following for its heritage structures including palaces and temples.
Indore is located on the banks of the rivers Khan and Saraswati. It derives its name from the deity Indreshwar whose temple still exists at the point of convergence of these two rivers. Traditionally, Indore and its surrounding regions were ruled by the house of Holkars who took great efforts in creating a vibrant culture, a thriving economy and a solid foundation for both education and business in and around Indore.
malls indore If you plan to explore Indore on a personal trip or during abusiness visit, there are some places you cannot absolutely miss. Soak in the spirituality of the age-old temples in and around Indore including Ujjain, Omkareshewar and Mandu. Visit the beautiful palaces and architectural gems of the Lal Baag Palace, Rajwada and Kanch Mandir. Enjoy a truly Indian experience at Chokhi Dhani and pay a visit to the Chhatris for a lesson on Indian bravery. Don’t miss the Central Museum if you crave historical facts and artifacts!
Although visiting Indore the year round is never a hurdle, the best time to enjoy your outing there is from October to March. Indore’s Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport sees both international and domestic flight operations. Local transport includes buses, private vehicles, mini buses and auto rickshaws.
Gwalior
Gwalior is the northernmost city of MadhyaPradesh. The city of Gwalior was founded by the King Suraj Sen and named after the saint Gwalipa, who cured his leprosy. Gwalior’s history can be traced back to 8 AD when the chieftain Suraj Sen was stricken with leprosy. A great saint Gwalipa, lived on the hill-top where the Gwalior fort stands. King Suraj Sen who ruled over the region, approached the holy man for cure of his leprosy. The holy man gave him water from the Surajkund, a water tank and the king was cured. Suraj Kund is still in the fort. The king established a town here and in gratitude, named the town after the saint Gwalipa. Gwalior is known for its historic massive 15th century fort. The distinctive and colourful hill fort of Gwalior on the north-south corridor was the key to control of the Central Provinces. Hindi and English are the main languages which are spoken here. The best season to visit Gwalior is from October to March.
Gwalior was ruled by Suraj Sen. The saint Gwalipa gave the king a new name, Suhan Pal and directed him that so long as his descendants would retain the Pal name they would rule uninterruptedly. This lasted for 84 generations. The 85th descendant changed his name to Tej Karan and lost his throne. An inscription in the fort records that during the 5th century reign of Mihiragula the Hun, a temple of the sun was erected here. In more historical times, Gwalior came into limelight when Tomar Rajputs took power in 1398. Gwalior rulers became involved in wars with neighbouring kings. Man Singh Tomar who came to power in 1486 was the greatest of the Tomar Kings. He defeated the Lodhis of Delhi. When Sikandar Lodhi attacked again, Man Singh died but his son held the fort for one year.
Muslim invaders like Qutb-ud-din-Aibak also ruled Gwalior before it passed into through a succession of Tomar Rajputs, Mughal, Afghan and Marathas. During the Mughal period, Babur was defeated but Man Singh’s grandson continued to fight till Akbar became the Emperor. After the Mughals, the Marathas took over Gwalior and they were followed by the British. Maharaja Scindia sided with the British during the Mutiny but his forces did not. Gwalior was the scene of many bloody battles with the British in 1857. During the 1857 Mutiny, the Maharaja remained loyal to the British but his troops, 6500 of them, mutinied on Sunday June 14th. Next year, there was fierce fighting round Gwalior, the rebels being led by Tantia Tope and the Queen of jhansi. When the fort was taken by the British, the Rani was found dressed in men’s clothes among the slain. Although the Maharaja of Gwalior had remained loyal to the British they kept the fort for another thirty years.
Khajuraho
Khajuraho Temples History : Madhya Pradesh is land of great antiquity. Madhya Pradesh is the home of monuments representative of various periods of history. Among most popular world heritage sites ofCentral India like Rock paintings, Buddhist Stupas and Temples, Khajuraho is known for its ornate temples that are spectacular piece of human imagination, artistic creativity, magnificent architectural work and deriving spiritual peace through eroticism.
Khajuraho Temples are among the most beautiful medieval monuments in the country. These temples were built by the Chandella ruler between AD 900 and 1130. It was the golden period of Chandella rulers. It is presumed that it was every Chandella ruler has built atleast one temple in his lifetime. So all Khajuraho Temples are not constructed by any single Chandella ruler but Temple building was a tradition of Chandella rulers and followed by almost all rulers of Chandella dynasty.
The first recorded mention of the Khajuraho temples is in the accounts of Abu Rihan al Biruni in AD 1022 and the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta in AD 1335. Local tradition lists 85 temples in Khajuraho out of which only 25 temples are surviving after various stages of preservation and care. All these temples are scattered over an area of about 9 square miles.
Khajuraho is believed to be the religious capital of Chandellas. Chandella rulers had tried to discriminate politics from religious & cultural activities, so they established their political capital in Mahoba which is about 60km. away from Khajuraho and religious/cultural capital in Khajuraho. Whole Khajuraho was enclosed by a wall with about 8 gates used for entry/exit. It is believed that each gate is flanked by two date/palm trees. Due to these date trees present Khajuraho get its name Khajura-vahika. In hindi language, “Khajura” means ‘Date’ and “Vahika” means ‘Bearing’. In history Khajuraho is also described with the name of Jejakbhukti.
After fall of Chandella dynasty (after AD 1150), Khajuraho Temples suffered destruction & disfigurement by muslim invaders in this area which forced local people to leave Khajuraho. As muslim invaders had a ruling policy of intolerance for worship places of other religions so all the citizens of Khajuraho left the town with a hope that its solitude will not attract attention of muslim invaders into the temple area and in this way both temple and they themselves will remain unhurt. So from about 13th century to 18th century, Khajuraho temples remain in forest cover, away from popularity till it was re-discovered by British engineer T. S. Burt.
Ujjain
Ujjain is the quiet and relatively small provincial town. Ujjain is situated about 60 kms. from Indore. Ujjain is one of the greatest cities of ancient India and one of the seven sacred cities ofHindus in India. It is also one of the four towns where the Kumbh Mela is held and plays as a host up to a million pilgrims who gather on the place every twelve years. Various people came here to bath in the Shipra river and worship at the temples on its banks. According to Hindu astronomers, it is also the city from where the Tropic of Cancer pass. This explains the presence of the observatory (Vedha Shala) built by the Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1725. Even today, the Ephemeris tables (predicted positions of the planets) are published here. Ujjain is also known for industry and crafts. The best season to visit Ujjain is from October to March.
According to legend, the gods and the demons once churned the ocean for Kumbha (a pot of divine nectar). First emerged a pot of vish or poison. The Lord Shiva drank it down. The poison was so strong that his divine neck turned blue and he was known as the Nilkantha or the blue-necked one. It all happened at Ujjain and that is the reason for its sacredness. In the ancient times and in the great Hindu epics, the Upanishads and the Puranas Ujjain was known as Avantika. According to the legend, the Lord Siva commemorated his victory over the demon ruler of Tripuri by changing the name of his capital to Ujjaiyini. Ujjaiyini means one who conquers with pride. Various dynasties like the Sakas, Guptas, Paramaras, the governors of the Slave Dynasty of Delhi, Mughals and Marathas ruled over this prosperous city.
It is also said to have been the seat of the viceroyalty of Ashoka during the reign of his father at Pataliputra (Patna) in 275 BC. Chandragupta II also transferred his capital from Pataliputra to Ujjain. The emperor Asoka’s sons were born here, and it was from here that they set out to preach Buddhism. The poet Kalidasa, wrote some of his works here and even the god Krishna is believed to have studied here. Kalidas described the city as the “town fallenfrom Heaven to bring heaven to earth.” Ujjain was also situated on a trade route to Mesopotamia and Egypt and consequently trade flourished. Nowdays, it is little more than a provincial town.
Jabalpur
Jabalpur is one the biggest city of Madhya Pradesh State in Central India. It lies in Mahakoshal region of Madhya Pradesh, Central India. It is a district of Madhya Pradesh State. District Head quarter of Jabalpur is in Jabalpur city. It is considered one of the fastest growing cities of Central India. Despite of the pace of growth, it is believed to have maintained its natural beauty and resources.
It is on the bank of holy Narmada River. Jabalpur is also known for famous National Parks (Tiger reserves) around it and marble rocks on Narmada River. From Wildlife Tourism point of view also Jabalpur has its unique presence in Tourist Map of Madhya Pradesh. Important government offices like head quarters of West Central Zone, Madhya Pradesh High court, Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board etc are in Jabalpur city.
History of Jabalpur City : It is a historical city and has description in ancient Hindu’s religious books & Veda’s. The name of the Jabalpur City is derived from holy Hindu saint “Jabaali” who had his aashram in this area. Jabalpur is also known as “Gondwana Land”. Jabalpur was the capital of Gond kings during the 12th century. During the 16th century it became the powerful states of Gondwana. After 16th century, i.e. after defeat of Rani Durgawati, area lost its enamor and flourish-ness. Although it was ruled by Gonds but with limited rights & power under supremacy of Mughals, It was also beleaguered by the Mughals and later it was conquered by the Marathas in the end of 17th century.
Sanchi
One of the oldest stone structures in India, the Great Stupa at Sanchi is an important Buddhist monument. Built by EmperorAshoka to honor Lord Buddha, the stupa stands proud as an icon of Sanchi, though there are other architectural marvels in the vicinity. UNESCO has listed it among the world heritage sites.
A hemispherical brick structure, the Stupa is surrounded by four gateways called Toranas, each representing love, trust, courage and peace. These gateways are beautifully crafted and sculptured, some having its own dramatic narrations and tales associated with them. The Great Stupa is built over the relics of the Buddha and thus to honour these relics, the Stupa was crowned with chatra. It is around 37 meters in diameter and over 16 meters high.
There are other monuments in Sanchi that can be visited besides the Great Stupa. These include Ashoka Pillar, Chetiyagiri Vihara, Archaeological Museum, Buddhist monasteries, temples and viharas, Gupta Temple and others.
Lush gardens surround the stupa. One can plan for a family picnic and spending quality time there. The surroundings are clean and well maintained. Audio guides are also available to provide a detailed insight about the place.
Orchha
Orchha is a town in Madhya Pradesh near the banks of Betwa river. The medieval city of Orchha seems to have frozen in time, its palaces and temples still retaining their original grandeur. Orchha had the distinction of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of Central India. The Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, founded the city, located by the side of the beautiful Betwa River, in the 16th century. The word Orchha means 'hidden'. When the Tughlaqs, who were ruling Delhi in the 15th century, pushed the Bundelkhand rajas out of Garkhundar, they retreated to distant Orchha.
Orchha travel offers detailed information on the important touristdestinations, dinning and accommodation facilities and means of transportation of the town. Orchha is a small town in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, which is situated at a distance of 120 kilometers from Gwalior and 178 kilometers from Khajuraho. The best time to visit Orchha is between October and March.
Orchha was founded in 16th century by Rudra Pratap, a Bundela chieftain. The rich historical legacy of the town is preserved in the beautiful stone sculptors and the ancient forts and buildings of the town. The travel to Orchha provides the tourists with an opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of the town. One must tour Orchha to discover the rich architectural splendor of the town.
A travel to Orchha would take you to a scenic destination where austere hills rise in striking contrast with the lush green surrounding along the limpid flowing river Betwa. Tourist attractions in Orchha still retain much of their pristine charm.
