Places to Visit in Madhya Pradesh – Hindustan Ka Dil

Have you seen the MP Tourism ads that invite you to look into Hindustan ka Dil? That’s quite literally what Madhya Pradesh is, the centre of India. Hence, it sees lots of road trippers from all parts of the country. There are a fascinating assortment of places to visit in Madhya Pradesh, especially if you are planning a road trip. If you live a little far away from the state, fly/take a train to the state capital and check out these tourist places near Bhopal.

Kanha National Park

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The Kanha National Park is one of the finest wildlife reserves and an oft-visited tourist places near Bhopal. Located in the Maikal hills, the reserve is home to many flora & fauna in addition to the famed Bengal tigers. According to WWF, some 500 of the world’s estimated 6,000 tigers live in this region. This makes Kanha National Park a popular destination for wildlife and nature photographers and one of the must-visit places in Madhya Pradesh.

Pachmarhi

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Pachmarhi, the Queen of Satpura, is the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh and well-known tourist places near Bhopal. It is nestled in the mountains, surrounded by waterfalls and green valleys. The gorgeous Silver Falls, Duchess Falls, and Bees Falls are the major waterfalls in the areas. You must also visit the legendary Panch Pandav Caves. These are 5 caves that are believed to be more than 1000 years old. To take a soul satisfying trip to the Queen of Satpuras, check here. You can also visit Kukru, the crown jewel of the Satpuras from Bhopal.

Ujjain

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The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is one of the recommended places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. The 6^th Century temple devoted to the god Shiva has huge religious significance. Take a break from your fast-paced life and spend a day in the peaceful retreat. Ujjain is not just a highly regarded religious tourist places near Bhopal. It has a Jantar Mantar observatory like Jaipur and Delhi and many historical artifacts from Vikramaditya the Great’s reign. Also, you can spend time on the ghats of the river Shipra.

Temples of Khajuraho

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The temples of Khajuraho are a designated World Heritage Site, with beautiful architecture and inspiring sculptures. The cluster of Jain and Hindu temples dating back to the Chandela reign in 950-1050. As with most temples, it is located near water, close to the Shib Sagar, Khajur Sagar, and Khudar Nadi. All the temples, except the Chaturbhaja Temple, face the sunrise. The many engravings and sculptures reflect different gods and goddesses & their interdependence. Though it is primarily known as the tourist places in MP where you can see erotic sculpture, these statues just comprise 10% of the whole. You must check out the light & sound show when you visit. If planning a trip in winter, you can attend the famous Khajuraho Dance Festival in February.

Mandu

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Mandu is a gorgeous historical town and one of the intriguing places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. The city has been in existence since 6^th Century BC and has a rich heritage. The most significant place to see here is the Jahaaz Mahal. Built by Ghiyas-us-din Khilji for his 15000 odd consorts, the palace gives an illusion of floating on the lakes it is surrounded by. Standing tall on the banks of river Narmada is Roopmati Pavilion. It is an awe-inspiring structure built by Baaz Bahadur, the last sultan of Malwa for Rani Roopmati. The many gateways, forts, pavilions and scenic walkways of Mandu tell stories of a very interesting past.

Dhuadhar Falls, Bhedaghat

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One of the many reasons tourists come to Madhya Pradesh is the tranquility the places here can offer. One of the most serene places to visit in Madhya Pradesh is near Jabalpur, in the town of Bhedaghat. Due to the mist created by falling water on hard rock, it so appears that smoke is emanating from the river bed. Hence the waterfalls with breathtaking visuals it is called Dhuandhar or Smoke Cascade. Surrounded by lush green trees and marbled rocks, the roar of the cascades can be heard from afar. The most important experience here is the boat ride up to the base of the waterfalls. The marbled rocks appear shiny in the moonlight on full moon days and a glorious shade of gold during the day. If you like waterfalls, you must also check out the waterfalls in Karnataka

Sanchi

Sanchi, a Buddhist pilgrimage site, is one of the most important places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Home to the Sanchi Stupa, a World Heritage Site, makes it a must-visit tourist places near Bhopal. Due to the monasteries & other remains of the rich Buddhist culture, it is an important place for Buddhist pilgrimage.

Next time you hear Hindustan ka Dil, think of driving down to these amazing places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Our community of Scouts will be happy to help you plan your next road trip or you can do it yourself here.