Bhopal Tourist Guide 2017-2018 - Places to Visit Bhopal

About Bhopal -"The Most Beautiful City in Central India"

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. Bhopal is rated undoubtedly as most beautiful destination of the Central India. It combines exceptional scenic beauty with many lakes, rich historical heritage and diverse cultural aspects.Bhopal is divided into two parts, The Old Bhopal & New Bhopal. The Old Bhopal has narrow bylanes, markets, souqs, fine old mosques, palaces bearing the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers, Equally impressive is the new Bhopal city with its green parks, gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern buildings.

Bhopal Site Seeing Tour Package - Itinerary - 3 Days

Bhopal Local Attractions Covered: Lower lake, Fish aquarium, Rajbhavan, Old Vidhan Sabha, Birla Mandir, Vallabha Bhawan, Vindhyachal , Satpura Bhawan, Chinar Park, Mayuar Park, Boat Club, State Museum, Bharat Bhawan, Man of Museum, Kamla Park, Moti Majid , Shokat Mahal, Sadar Manzil, Tajul Majid, Iqubal Maidam, VIP Road 
Bhopal Exursion Attractions Covered:  Islam Nagar, Sanchi Stupa, Vidisha, Udaigiri Caves,Kerwa dam, Bhojpur, Bhimbetka 
 
Day 1- Old Bhopal Attractions Tour + Sanchi Stupa + Vidisha + Udaigiri Caves
Today is you full-day tour of Old Bhopal Attractions and from Bhopal to Sanchi, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vidisha and Udayagiri Caves.Pick up from your hotel in Bhopal city at 9:00 am and proceed on a full-day tour of Old Bhopal attractions and next to Northeast Excursions of Islam Nagar, Sanchi, Udayagiri Caves.
The Magestic 'Great Stupa’ at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India dating back to 3rd century. It is located on a hill dotted with a group of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars. Later visit Udaigiri Caves - a historical Hindu ritual site. Udayagiri that  literally means the 'mountain of the sunrise' consists of a substantial U-shaped plateau immediately next to the River Bes.
 
Old Bhopal Tour - Morning Tour
Old Bhopal Attractions Tour :- Proceed on the half-day city tour old Bhopal, also known as the "Lakeside City", Visit historic mosques Jama Masjid , Moti Masjid , Taj ul Masajid , Then visit arts centre Bharat Bhawan followed by Lake views. 
Iqubal Maidan
Sadar Manjil
Tazul Masajid
Moti Masajid
Jama Masjid
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First visit the Jama Masjid made on the same style of Delhi's Jama masjid built by Qudsia Begum, admire its tall dark minarets and glittering golden spikes, then proceed to Taj-ul-Masjid, and admire its impressive main hall, inter-arched roof, broad facade, biggest courtyard with a shopping arcade - Taj market - around its boundary walls. 
After Taj Ul Masajid, Proceed to Bharat Bhavan, The best multi-arts centre in India designed by Charles Correa. Visit its beautiful galleries, open-air amphitheater, studio theatre, auditorium, museum of tribal and folk art etc.
 

Excursion Tour from Old Bhopal Side - Afternoon

Islam Nagar
Sanchi Stupa
Vidisha
Udaigiri Caves
 
Proceed to excursion to Udayagiri Caves and Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The journey will take 1 hour 30 minutes each way (35 miles/60 km).
 

 
Sanchi Visit : - First you will visit Sanchi located 45 km northeast of Bhopal and visit stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from 3rd century BC to 12th century AD. Sanchi is an ancient place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and its uniqueness lies in the fact that Buddha is not represented through figures, but through symbols. The lotus represents the Buddha's birth, the tree signifies his enlightenment and the wheel represents his attainment of nirvana (salvation). Buddha's presence is marked by the footprints and the throne. Sanchi was rediscovered by a British officer in 1818 and later in 1912 restoration work at the site was done in earnest.
 

 
Udayagiri Caves Visit :- After Sanchi, Proceed to the Udayagiri Caves (approx. 15 km from Sanchi). The Udayagiri Caves are an early Hindu ritual site located near Vidisha region. They were extensively carved and reworked under the command of Chandragupta II, Emperor of the Gupta Empire, in the late 4th and 5th century AD. These caves are currently a tourist site under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Udayagiri consists of a substantial U-shaped plateau immediately next to the River Bes. The caves here are a series of rock-cut sanctuaries and images excavated into hillside. The figure of Viṣṇu in his incarnation as the boar-headed Varaha i amongst the more impressive artistic sculptures. The site has important inscriptions of the Gupta dynasty. In addition to these remains, Udayagiri has a series of rock-shelters and petroglyphs, ruined buildings, inscriptions, water systems, fortifications and habitation mounds, all of which have been only partially excavated.
Drop back to your hotel in Bhopal city in Evening

Day -2 New Bhopal Attractions Tour - Full day Tour + Boating in Upper Lake
New Bhopal Tour - Morning Tour - 
New Market
Bidla Mandir
Vidhan Sabha
Balavh Bhavan
New Bhopal Tour - Afternoon Tour
Chinar Park
Gandhi Bhavan
Shamla Hills
Museum of Man
Bharat Bhavan
Van Vihaar

Day-3 - Bhopal Excursions Tour - Kerwa dam + Bhojpur + Bhimbetka
Kerwa dam Tour
Bhojpur Tour
Bhimbetka Tour
Proceed on a full-day tour and visit the famous Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka and Bhojeshwar Temple. Bhimbetka is the site of 700 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bhojpur is the site of a Sun Temple with the largest Shiv Lingams in India. Learn the history of Bhopal while being amazed by the ancient architecture and beautiful view.

On completion of the tour, you will be taken back to Bhopal city and dropped off at your hotel.

Bhopal - Local Attractions

Bharat Bhawan :- Bharat Bhavan is an autonomous multi-arts complex and museum in the state of capital Bhopal, established and funded by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. Opened in 1982, facing the Upper Lake, Bhopal, it houses an art gallery, a fine art workshops, an open-air amphitheatre, a studio theatre, an auditorium, a museum tribal and folk art, libraries of Indian poetry, classical music as well as folk music.

Details of the wings in Bharat Bhawan:

Roopankar - Museum of Fine Art: Gallery of contemporary folk and tribal art, and a modern art gallery. Graphic art Work Shop, and Ceramics art workshop

Rangmandal - theatre repertory

Vagarth - Center of Indian poetry, library, archive, and translation centre

Anhad - A library of Classical and Folk music, audio and video archives, organzes dance recitals and classical music series like, Parampara, Saptak

Chhavi - Center of Classical Cinema

Nirala Srijanpeeth - the chair for creative writing, founded by by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

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 storeyed gate-way with 4 recessed archways and 9 imposing cusped multifoiled 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 & world.

(Taj-ul-Masjid)

Jama Masjid Bhopal : Jama Masjid in Bhopal is a small &  impressive mosque, The Masjid was constructed by Qudisiya Begum in circa 1450 AD..This mosques has a spacious open court ( 31.42 x 24.38 m) with sanctuary on its west and arched cloisters (dalans) on its north and south, the one on the eastern side having been destroyed.

(Jama Masjid)

Moti Masjid Bhopal: Moti Masjid, a lovely shrine in Bhopal is a significant landmark in the history of muslim women in India. This marvelous shrine was constructed by the progressive muslim ruler Sikander Begum in the year 1860. The architectural design of the Moti Masjid has a close similitude to the famous Jama Masjid in Delhi.

(Moti Masjid)

Van Vihar National Park: Van Vihar in Bhopal is spread over a vast area of 4.45 square kms of land near Shymala Hills bhopal, the Van Vihar National Park is situated in the heart of Bhopal city. An oasis of greenery, this national park house a variety of herbivorous and carnivorous species in their natural habitat.

The animals such as tiger, panther, lion, bear, hyena, crocodiles, gharial, snakes, python etc., are kept in captivity in a system of kraal and enclosures in lines of modern concept of zoo management as per the norms of Central Zoo Authority.

(Van Vihar National Park)

Upper Lake ( Bada Talab - Bhopal): Upper Lake Bhopal is A beautiful water body of the 11th century, Upper Lake is the oldest man-made lake in India. Locally called as Bada Talab, it is a massive earthen bund constructed across the Kolans River. Legend says that King Bhoj constructed this gigantic lake, which is believed to have cured his skin disease.

(Upper Lake  Bada Talab)

Gohar Mahal Bhopal: Situated in the banks of the magnificient Upper Lake, Gohar Mahal is one of the beautiful palaces in Bhopal. It is built by Gohar begum, who was the first woman ruler of Bhopal. Constructed in the year 1820, Gohar Mahal is an architectural marvel, which presents a perfect blend of Hindu and Mughal Architecture.

Birla Mandir Bhopal: Laxmi Narayan Temple is also known as the Birla Mandir and is located to the south of the Lower Lake on the Arera Hills.Close to the temple is a museum that is the repository of sculptures from the districts of Raisen, Sehore, Mandsaur, and Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh. There are stone sculptures mostly of Shiva, Vishnu, and their respective consorts and incarnations. North of Birla Mandir, get a Picturesque view of Bhopal from where one can see The Bada Talab and chhota talab at the same time.

(Birla mandir)

Bhopal near By Places - Excursions

About Sanchi

The Sanchi hill goes up in shelves with Stupa 2 situated on a lower shelf, Stupa 1, Stupa 3, the 5th century Gupta Temple No.17 and the 7th century temple No. 18 are on the intermediate shelf and a later monastery is on the crowning shelf. The balustrade surrounding Stupa 2, carved with aniconic representations of the Buddha, was added in the late 2nd century BC under the Satavahanas.

About Maheshwar:

Maheshwar was a glorious city at the dawn of Indian civilization when it was Mahishmati, capital of king Kartivarjun. This temple town on the banks of the river Narmada finds mention in the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

About Khajuraho:

In the temple architecture of India, the Khajuraho complex remains unique. One thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic patronage of the Chandela Rajput kings of Central India, 85 temples, magnificent in form and richly carved, came up on one site, near the village of Khajuraho.

About Mandu:

Mandu is a celebration in stone, of life and joy, A tribute to the love shared between the poet-prince Baz Bahadur and his beautiful consort, Rani Roopmati. The balladeers of Malwa still sing of their euphoric romance.

About Gwalior:

Gwalior's tradition as a royal capital continued until the formation of present day India, with the Scindias having their dynastic seat here. The magnificent mementoes of a glorious past have been preserved with care, giving Gwalior an appeal unique and timeless.

About Bhimbetka:

Executed mainly in red and white with the occasional use of green and yellow, with themes taken from the every day events of aeons ago, the scenes usually depict hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animals fighting, honey collection, decoration of bodies, disguises, masking and household scenes.

About Ujjain:

The early history of Ujjain is lost in the midst of antiquity. As early as the time of the Aryan settlers, Ujjain seems to have acquired importance. By the 6th century B.C. Avanti with its capital at Ujjaini, is mentioned in Buddhist literature as one of the four great powers along with Vatsa, Kosala and Magadha.

About Omkareshwar:

Omkareshwar, the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. And here, as in so many of Madhya Pradesh's sacred shrines, the works of Nature complement those of man to provide a setting awe-inspiring in its magnificence.According to a legend, when Narad, the great seer, paid a visit to the deity of the Vindhya mountains, he was angry to find that there was no dwelling here suitable for Lord Shiva.

About Pachmarhi:

Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's most verdant gem. A lovely hill resort girdled by the Satpura ranges, it offers absolute tranquility. Bridle paths lead into placid forest groves of wild bamboo, jamun, dense sal forests and delicate bamboo thickets.

About Orchha:

Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris. From here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.

About Indore:

Indore is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh, and together with its satellite towns of Pithampur and Dewas, is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in India. Its proximity to the Gujarat - Mumbai grid is a major factor behind its huge economic potential.

National Parks Around Bhopal

About Kanha National Park:

It is Situated in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the picturesque Kanha National Park was the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling's unforgettable classic Jungle Book. The romance of the Kanha National Park has not reduced over time-it is still as beautiful.

About Bandhavgarh National Park:

Bandhavgarh National Park is spread at vindhya hills in Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh National Park consists of a core area of 105 sq km and a buffer area of approximately 400 sq km of topography varies between steep ridges, undulating, forest and open meadows.

About Pench National park:

Pench National park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the satpuda hills is named after Pench river, meandering through the park from north to south. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra, in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara.Pench National Park, comprising of 758 SQ Kms, out of which a core area of 299 sq km is the national park and and remaining 464 sq km is the buffer area.

When to visit Bhopal

Due to the influence of temperate climate, the weather here remains fairly tolerable throughout the year. However, to experience the best of the city, it is best advised to visit Bhopal during the winter months of November to February. Unlike summers, the chilling days of the season encourages you to step out and experience the authentic beauty of the region. Although the nights can get nipy at times, you will definitely enjoy the cool breeze of the season.

How to reach Bhopal

Reach Bhopal By Air

Bhopal Airport is well connected with rest of the major cities and towns such as Mumbai, Indore, Gwalior and Delhi. The airport is located at a distance of 15 km from the heart of the city. Tourists may hire a taxi or a cab from the airport to reach the place smoothly.

Reach Bhopal By Road

There are numbers of buses available for tourists such as public and private buses. The place is well connected from all major cities and towns through state bus service. Indore (190km), Ujjain (189km), Nagpur (354km) and Ratlam (297km) are connected to Bhopal via road.

Reach Bhopal By Train

The Bhopal Railway Station is well connected with all major railheads of the country. Tourists can easily get trains to various major destinations.