Madhya Pradesh lies at the heart of India and Bhopal is the tourism centre of the state. The city is embellished with old and modern architecture, devotional places, lakes, hills, museums, archeological wonders and many more. Bhopal is also known as the ‘City of Lakes’.
Here are a few places listed below that should not be missed on your trip to Bhopal.
1. Upper and Lower Lake - The upper lake and the lower lake are also known as ‘Bada Talab’ and ‘Chota Talab’ respectively, and both these lakes constitute the ‘Bhoj Wetlands’. Apart from being a perfect picnic spot, these lakes are attached to deep religious, historical, social, and cultural significance. The Bhojtal or the upper lake is the oldest manmade lake in Bhopal.
2. Van Vihar National Park - One of the unmissable tourist places in Bhopal. Serving as a significant attraction of the city, the park is well maintained under strict monitoring. It is the home of a wide array of wildlife like black buck, chital, sambar, white boar, hyena, porcupine, etc. Besides the exotic species, the national park is ideal for short treks, adventure activities and nature lovers.
3. Gohar Mahar - Gohar Mahal is situated on the banks of Upper Lake. This elegant mansion is an attestation of the cultural legacy of the city of Nawabs and a wonderful blend of Hindu and Mughal styles of architecture. Right after its construction in 1820, the palace became the administration and political centre of the city.
4. Bhimbetka Rock Shelters - These caves have bagged recognition as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO that were accidentally discovered by renowned archaeologist, Dr. Vishnu Wakankar in 1957-58 during his leisurely stroll in the region. There are more than 500 rock caves and shelters with several artworks inscribed on the interior walls, and the drawings were believed to be done during the Paleolithic and Medieval ages.
5. Sanchi Stupa - One of the most unbeatable places in Bhopal and possibly in entire India, the magnificence of the Sanchi Stupa remains unmatched to date. Believed to have originated in the 3rd century BC, the building was constructed under the reign of Emperor Ashoka, the great ruler of the Maurya Dynasty, and is one of the most remarkable Buddhist monuments in India. The huge dome of the stupa consists of a central vault where the relics of Lord Budhha have been kept.
6. Taj-ul-Masjid - It is the largest mosque in India as well as Asia. Situated in the suburban area of the city, the large minarets of the mosque are visible from the elevated parts of the city. It has a courtyard with a large tank in the centre.
7. Birla Museum - The museum is a part of the magnificent Birla Mandir complex, which also harbours the sacred shrine of Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Birla Museum successfully preserves the relics of the state’s prehistoric civilization. A perfect destination for history and archaeology lovers, the museum houses the artifacts of the Palaeolithic and Neolithic Ages, stunning stone carvings from the 7th-13th century BC, earthenware from the 2nd century BC, etc.
At a distance of 104 km from Bhopal, there is another tourism wonder, Satpura National Park. A treasure box of rich biodiversity nestled in the Satpura ranges in the Hoshangabad district.
