Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh – The land of Lakes
Located on the Malwa plateau Bhopal the capital city of Madhya Pradesh combines both the scenic beauty and the modern urban planning. It is a city of lakes. The city also has rich historical heritage. It was founded by Raja Bhoj in 11th century and was originally known as Bhojpal. The city today has an all round development. Loaded with various market places and fine old mosques and palaces Bhopal still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers. Besides the broad avenues, the exquisite parks and gardens, and the modern edifice makes Bhopal a real urban city.
Places to see at Bhopal: A city of history Bhopal is dotted with numerous historical sites mostly. However there are also other sites of tourist attraction.
Jama Masjid
Gold spikes crown the minarets of this beautiful mosque built in 1837 by Kudsia Begum.
Taj-Ul-Masjid
The Taj-ul-Masjid is one of the largest mosques in Asia, built by Nawab Shahjehan Begum around a courtyard with a large tank in the centre and with an imposing double storey gate-way with 4 recessed archways and 9 imposing cusped multi-foiled openings in the main prayer hall. The Quibla wall in the prayer hall is carved with 11 recessed arches, while the mimber is made of black basalt.The structure is enlivened by the limpid expanse of water in the tank outside the northern wall. The monumentality of this structure was much greater originally when it faced the towering bastions of the Fatehgarh Fort. A three-day Ijtima congregation held here annually draws people from all over the country.
Moti Masjid
Architecturally akin to Delhi’s Jama Masjid, this imposing mosque was built by Sikander Jehan, daughter of Kudsia Begum, in 1860.
Shaukat Mahal And Sadar Manzil
Situated at the entrance to the Chowk area in the heart of the walled city, Shaukat Mahal is an architectural curiosity. Its mixture of styles in Occidental idioms sets it apart from the predominantly Islamic architecture of the area. It was designed by a Frenchman, said to be a descendent of an offshoot of the Bourbon Kings of France. Post Renaissance and Gothic styles are combined to charming effect here. Nearby is the elegant once-opulent Sadar Manzil, Hall of Public Audience, of the former rulers of Bhopal.
Gohar Mahal
Situated behind Shaukat Mahal on the banks of the Upper Lake is Gohar Mahal, which is an architectural gem dating back to the times of Kudsia Begum, also known as Gohar Begum, who built this sprawling palace in 1820. The Mahal is a magnificent expression of the fusion of Hindu and Mughal architecture.
Bharat Bhawan
One of the most unique national institutes in India, Bharat Bhawan is a centre for the performing and visual arts. Designed by renowned architect, Charles Correa, the contours of Bharat Bhawan merge in exquisite harmony with the landscape creating a visual impact of spacious and natural elegance. The centre houses a museum of the arts, an art gallery, a workshop for fine arts, a repertory theatre, indoor and outdoor auditorium, a rehearsal room and libraries of Indian poetry, classical and folk music. It remains open from 2 pm to 8 pm every day except Mondays.
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (A Post Colonial Museum)
The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind) is a unique Museum, spread over 200 acres of undulating land on the Shamla Hills on the Upper Lake front. It is situated in a prehistoric site and may be the only museum in the world strewn with numerous prehistoric painted rock shelters. It is a post-colonial museum of communities rather than objects, dedicated to in situ revitalisation of local knowledge systems and life enhancing traditions rather than ex situ display of objects. It is engaged in recollection rather than collection. The museum display has been curated directly by the folk and tribal communities, camping at site, to create a miniature presentation of Indian folk ways through display of eco-specific habitations & subsistence practices in the tribal, coastal, desert, and Himalayan habitats. The library, audio-visual archive, computerised documentation and the collection of ethnographic specimens in the Museum, though modest in size are among the best in the world.
Government Archaeological Museum
A fine collection of sculptures are on display here from various parts of Madhya Pradesh. Highlights of the collection are: paintings of various schools, copies of paintings from the Bagh caves near Mandu and the statues of Alakshmi and the Buddha. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Laxmi Narayan Temple and Museum
This beautiful temple on the Arera Hills has a Museum attached to it which houses a collection of sculptures from Raisen, Sehore, Mandsaur and Shahdol districts of Madhya Pradesh. The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day except Mondays.
Van Vihar
This safari-park is located on a hill adjacent to the Upper Lake, with an area of 445 hectares. In these natural surroundings, wildlife watchers can view a variety of herbivorous and carnivorous species. Open everyday, except Friday, (Timings: 1st April to 30 September, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and 01 October to 31 March, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Regional Science Centre
Basically a science museum, located on the picturesque Shamala Hills, Regional Science Centre houses about 300 participatory exhibits distributed equally in ‘Invention’ & ‘Fun Science’ galleries, and a ‘taramandal’ (Planetarium). The museum remains open from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm on all days except Mondays.
Chowk
In the heart of the city, the Chowk is lined with old mosques, havelis, reminds of a bygone era. The shops in its narrow alleys are treasure troves of traditional Bhopali crafts : silver jewellery, exquisitely fashioned bead work, embroidered and sequinned velvet fashioned purses and cushions.
Upper and Lower Lakes
The Upper Lake is divided from the Lower Lake by an over-bridge. M. P. Tourism’s Boat Club on the Upper Lake provides facilities for exciting trips by sail, paddle and motor boats.
Aquarium
Facing the Lower Lake, the fish-shaped aquarium houses a number of fascinating species of fish in all shapes and sizes.
Nearby Attractions from Bhopal: Tourist visiting Bhopal can arrange for some interesting trips to nearby destinations.
Islamnagar
Islamnagar is 11 km away from Bhopal. It was a palace of the Afgan rulers and built by Dost Mohammed Khan.
Kerwa
17 km from Bhopal, Kerwa is a dam and an ideal picnic spot.
Raisen
Another renowned nearby tourist destination from Bhopal is ancient fort of Raisen on the Bhopal-Sagar road. The fort was built in the early 6th century. It is situated on a high hill and once had 84 lakes and ponds, of which only 15 remain. The fort was under the famous Hindu king Rai Puran Mal before it was seized by Sher Shah and brought under Afghan control.
Ginnorgarh
The historical fort standing on an isolated hill about 1,127 metres long and 266 metres broad is situated 3 km away from Delawadi. Buses ply the route, but from Delawadi to the fort one has to travel on foot. The fort was once a stronghold of Gonds, but fell to Mohammad of the Bhopal State.
Delawadi
It is 62 km from Bhopal. Situated in a lovely forest glade, Delawadi is a picturesque picnic spot, rich in scenic splendour.
Things to do in Bhopal: In Bhopal you can enjoy a ride to a toy train look alike open bus. This trip is called Bhopal on wheels. It departs from a place called Palash Residency and winding through the hills stops at some definite destinations. The bus contains minimum five passengers.
The MP tourism boat club offers motorboat rides, pedal boats and even jet skiing.
Lake Princess one of the famous lakes of Bhopal also arrange a cruise trip for 45 min provided the water levels are high.
Best time to visit Bhopal: Throughout the year.
How to go ?
By air:
Regular flights connect Bhopal with Delhi, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Indore and Mumbai.
By bus:
Regular bus services connect Bhopal with Indore(186 km), Mandu(285 km), Ujjain(188 km), Khajuraho (383 km), Pachmarhi(195 km), Gwalior(423 km), Sanchi(46 km), Jabalpur(295 km) and Shivpuri(311 km).
By rail:
Bhopal is on the Delhi-Chennai main line. Major trains going from Mumbai to Delhi via Itarsi and Jhansi also go through Bhopal.
Where to stay ?
Bhopal being a celebrated tourist destination is dotted with a number of hotels.and lodges suited to all budgets.
Hotel Kamal Regency: + 91-755-4042400, + 91-755-4042401
Hotel Kasturi Continental: 0755-4277789
Hotel Reva Regency: 9993160487, 9425944802
Hotel Sarthak: 0755-4023200, 4023220
Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.
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