Welcome to Madhya Pradesh
the very heart of india
Bhopal
Bhopal is Capital of Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal is an ideal mix of the scenic grandeur, equable climate, history & deep rooted tradition and modern urban planning. Bhopal offers the wealthy forest, hills and lakes, valleys and mountains to the visitors. Bhopal today presents a versatile profile; the old city with its crowded bazaars and historic mosques and palaces, still bears the noble impression of its past rulers. The new city is also very imposing with its lush, elegantly laid-out parks and gardens, broad avenues and smooth modern structures.
Culturally, the Bhopal state gives the modern state of Madhya Pradesh, which came into being in 1956, legacy of the philosophy and art which are the special feature of Islamic culture. The imprint of all these are best seen in the mosques and tall minarets soaring high in the sky, lanes and by-lanes with Bazaars bearing an old world charm of the Middle East. In the texture of Bhopal have been woven the deeds, achievements, traditions and cultures of the dynasties gone by. Tour Enquiry
What to see in Bhopal : Taj-ul Masajid, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid, Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil, Gohar Mahal, Bharat Bhawan, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalya, State Museum, Van Vihar, Regional Science Centre, Upper and Lower Lakes, Aquarium and Chowk.
Jama Masjid : It’s a beautiful mosque which was built in 1837 by Qudsia Begum. It’s tall minarets are crowned by gold spikes and, like the cathedrals in the old towns of Europe, it dominates the maze of alleys and by lanes of the old bazaar of Bhopal.
Moti Masjid : Moti Masjid was built in 1860 by Sikander Jehan who was the daughter of Qudsia Begum. The architecture of Moti Masjid is quite similar to Jama Masjid of Delhi.
Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil : Shaukat Mahal is an architectural curiosity which is situated at the entrance to the Chowk area in the heart of the walled city. It’s mixture of styles sets it apart from the main Islamic architecture of the area. It was designed by a Frenchman, said to be a descendant of an offshoot of the Bourbon kings of France.
Sadar Manzil is an opulent hall of public audience of the former rulers of Bhopal.
Gohar Mahal : Gohar Mahal is situated behind Shaukat Mahal on the banks of the Upper Lake. It is an architectural jewel dating back to the times of Qudsia Begum who was also known as Gohar Begum who built the palace in 1820. The Mahal is a magnificent appearance of the fusion of Hindu and Mugal architecture.
Bharat Bhawan : One of the most unique national institutes in India, Bharat Bhawan is a centre for the performing and visual arts. The centre houses a museum of the arts, an art gallery, a workshop for fine arts, a repertory theatre, indoor and outdoor auditoria, rehearsal room, libraries of India poetry, classical and folk music. Open from 2p.m to 8p.m everyday except Mondays. Bharat Bhavan a multi-cultural center is a complex which blends effortlessly with hillside are galleries devoted to tribal art which has universal appeal; paintings by famous artists like M.F Hausain and areas where artists can express their creativity including those trained in the folk traditions of our villages. Tour Enquiry
Taj-ul Masajid
Bhopal’s Taj-ul Masajid is one of the biggest mosques in India and is magnificent assertion of a people’s involvement with their religion. Its octagonal minarets and onion-shaped domes have a quite and souring majesty. It’s cool interior is decorated with finely crafted carvings and stone grilles.
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya : Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is situated in 200 acres of picturesque site at Shamla Hills overlooking the Upper Lake. It is the largest open-air anthropological museum in India which was established in 1977. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya depicts the story of Humankind in time and space through its open air and indoor exhibitions, consisting of Tribal habitat, coastal village, desert villa, Himalayan village, mythological trail and traditions technology, constructed by the concerned ethnic groups using raw materials brought from their respective localities. Periodical exhibitions, performing art presentations, artist workshops and education programs are also a regular part of this museum. The museum is open everyday except Mondays and national holidays.
Van Vihar : The 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 Tuesday from 7 to 11 a.m and 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Chowk : The heart of the old city, the chowk is lined with old mosques and havelies, reminders of a bygone era. The shops in its narrow alleys are treasure troves of traditional Bhopali crafts, silver jewellery, exquisitely fashioned beadwork, embroidered and sequined velvet fashioned purses and cushions.
Upper and Lower Lake : The upper lake is divided from the lower by an over-bridge and is six sq meter in area. Madhya Pradesh tourism boat club on the Upper Lake provided facilities for exciting trips by cruise, sail, and paddle and motor boats. Tour Enquiry
How to reach Bhopal :
By Air : Being the Capital city Bhopal is connected with almost all big cities of India.
By Rail : Bhopal is on the main Delhi-Chennai mail line. Major trains going from Mumbai to Delhi via Itarsi and Jhansi also go through Bhopal.
By Road : Well connected with Indore (186 km), Mandu (210km), Ujjain (188 km) Khajuraho (383 km), Pachmarhi (210 km), Gwalior (423 km) , Sanchi (46 Kms), Jabalpur (295 km) and Shivpuri (311 km).
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Islamnagar
Fleeing from the Imperial Delhi during the chaos following Aurangzeb’s death, this Afgan adventure acquired a kingdom and established his capital in Islamnagar. The splashing fountains and in the double-storied Rani Mahal where silver anklets once tinkled, the silence of fading memories reigns.
State Museum : The state Museum have reproductions of some of the now destroyed Budhhist Bagh caves painting, 84 rare Jain sculptures of the 8th and 13th Centuries, Avalokatswara of Lamaism, Saivite sculptures and miniature paintings showing the graceful lifestyles of those days.
The Bhopal of today once formed part of the central portion of the ‘Bhojpal’ or ‘Bhopal’ region and was ruled by the greatest amongst the Parmars-Kings Bhoja. He ascended the throne around 1018 A.D and ruled gloriously for about forty years. He was as distinguished in the field of literature and the arts as he was on the battlefield. A gifted author himself, he was a great patron of the arts and learning, and his name lives as much in literature as in history. Tour Enquiry
It was not till the end of the 17th century the state of Bhopal came into existence, founded by that bold, intrepid Afgan Chief Dost Mohammad, who in the first half of the 18th century, wrested the area from a beautiful of the Gond tribe: Kamalawati. A charming legend relates how the queen would recline in a lotus barrage and drift across the lake on moonlit nights. The two lakes of Bhopal still dominates the city, and are indeed its nucleus. He established the character of the old city of Bhopal, much of its grace derives from the curious fact that from 1819 to 1926 Bhopal was ruled by succession of Begums-Islamic Queens who were active monarchs. Tour Enquiry
We at Indian Excursion (Tour Operator, approved by Govt. of India) design and customize tours for Bhopaland everywhere in India as per your needs, budget and requirements. You can directly email us at info@indianexcursion.in