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Info
| Cities | Historical
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Bhopal
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Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh combines scenic beauty, historicity
and modern urban planning. It is situated on the site of an 11th
century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja. Bhopal today presents
a multi-faceted profile; the old city with its teeming market places
and fine old mosques and palaces still bear the aristocratic imprint
of its former rulers; among them the succession of powerful Begums
who ruled Bhopal from 1819 to 1926. Equally impressive is the new
city with its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad
avenues and streamlined modern edifices.
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Gwalior
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Gwalior is famous for its old and very large fort. Within the fort
walls are several interesting temples and ruined palaces. The dramatic
and colourful history of the great fort goes back to over 1000 years.
Gwalior is dominated by its fort which tops the long hill to the
north of Lashkar the new town. The old town is situated in the north
east of the fort.
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Indore
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Indore city which is 55 kms from Ujjain was built by Rani Ahilya
Bai, the brave Holkar queen. It is the centre of trade and textile
industry. Indore is situated on the Malwa plateau, on the banks
of two small streams- the Khan and the Saraswati, which unite at
the centre of the city where a small 18th century temple of Sangamnath
exists. The combined stream flows into the famed chambal river.
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Jabalpur
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About 295 k.m south-east of Bhopal, located is the large city of
Jabalpur. The city famous today for the gorge on the Narmada River
known as Marble Rocks. Today Jabalpur is a major administrative
and educational center and the army headquarters for the states
of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. Jabalpur's active Christian community
maintains a number of Christian schools, colleges and churches scattered
throughout the cantonment area. There are about 500 students from
East Africa studying at the University here.
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Mandu
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Mandu, a small town is 100 km. from Indore. It has seen a long history.
Founded as a fortress and a retreat in 10th century , became an
important centre by 13th century and today , stands like a ghost
city. It has seen it all . But the spirit of the city is still alive.
Rightly, it was called 'city of joy'.
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Khajuraho
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The modern village of Khajuraho is a cluster of hotels, restaurants,
shops and stalls, near the western group of temples. The government
of India tourist office is here. There are also offices at the
airport and the bus stand which can be helpful with booking accommodations
in the height of the season. The largest and most important temples
are in the attractively landscaped western enclosure in this area.
A km or so east of the bus stand is the old village of Khajuraho.
Around it are the temples of the eastern group and to the south
are two further groups of temples. During the tourist season,
dance displays are staged at the modern purpose-built Chandella
Cultural Center. Foreigners have to pay a rip-off US$ 5 for tickets.
The tourist office is said to reviewing its discriminatory pricing
policy.
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Pachmarhi
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Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's most verdant jewel, a place where
nature has found exquisite expression in myriad enchanting ways.Green
shades embrace the mountains, and everywhere is heard the gentle
murmur of flowing water. Bridle paths lead into tranquil forest
glades, groves of wild bamboo and jamun, dense sal forests and
delicate bamboo thickets. Complementing the magnificence of nature
are the works of man; Pachmarhi is also an archaeological treasure-house.
In cave shelters in the Mahadeo Hills is an astonishing richness
in rock paintings. Most of these have been placed in the period
500-800 AD, but the earliest paintings are an estimated 10,000
years old.
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Sanchi
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Sanchi is little more than a small village at the foot of the hill
on which the site is located. The site is open daily from dawn to
dusk and tickets are available from the kiosk outside the museum.
Entry costs Rs. 5 which covers both the site and the museum. It’s
worth buying a copy of the Sanchi guidebook, published by the Archaeological
Survey of India. There’s also a museum guidebook on sale here. At
the crossroads, the Mrignayni Emporium sells local handicrafts including
batik bed covers, pillow cases, bell-metal figures, and wall hangings.
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Ujjain
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The railway line divides the city : the old section, including the
bazzar and most of the temples and ghats, are to the north west
of the city, and the new section is on the south east side. The
majority of hotels are in front of the railway station. Tourist
information is available at the station and the Shipra Hotel. Modern
Ujjain is situated on the banks of the river Shipra, regarded since
times immemorial as sacred. The belief in the sacredness of Shipra,
has its origins in the ancient Hindu mythological tale of churning
of the Ocean by the Gods and the Demons, with Vasuki, the serpent
as the rope.
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