Madhya Pradesh is a state in central India that is the second largest state in India by area and fifth largest by population. Sharing its borders with Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh holds high tourist values due to its geographic location.
Literally translating to the ‘Central Province’, Madhya Pradesh is located in the heart of India geographically. The state rests on either side of the Narmada river. Madhya Pradesh is an all around the year tourist location and enjoys a pleasant climate throughout. Home to over 10 national parks, the state is rich in its biodiversity.
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Another aspect of Madhya Pradesh is its role in India’s rich history. Madhya Pradesh was ruled by various dynasties over the course of years. The same has left the state dotted with architectural marvels and historic temples and monuments.
Renowned cities like Ujjain, Bhopal, Indore, Sagar and many others are in the state of Madhya Pradesh. A well-planned trip is very much essential to visit this massive state. In this article, find the places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
10 Places to Visit in Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal
Bhopal — the capital city of Madhya Pradesh has a lot to offer from a tourism perspective. Nicknamed the ‘City of Lakes’, in Bhopal one can find numerous natural and artificial lakes. The Bhojtal or the Upper Lake is the most popular lake among them. Bhopal was founded by noble Hindu king Raja Bhoj.
Visit Bhopal to learn more about the city’s deep-rooted cultural heritage and also about its rulers. It is also the only city in India to have had generation after generation of female rulers known as Begums of Bhopal. Bhopal is one of the greenest and cleanest cities in India and was voted the cleanest capital in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. One cannot simply miss out on having a planned itinerary of places to visit in Bhopal.
Best time to visit: October to February
Major Attractions: Bhojtal, Van Vihar National Park
Ideal duration to explore: 3 to 4 days
Things to do: Boating, Visit historic locations
Indore
Indore’s fame is spread far and wide throughout the country. The educational capital of the state has also been ranked as the cleanest city of the country for four years in a row as per the Swachh Survekshan for the years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Being a trade hub between the Deccan and Delhi regions under the control of Peshwa Baji Rao I during the 16th century, Indore holds the reputation to date.
The city is the commercial capital of the state and is nicknamed ‘Mini Mumbai’. Indore is also the largest and the most populous city in Madhya Pradesh. Visit this city to witness some of the best architectural marvels in India. From Kaanch Mandir, Annapurna Temple to Khajrana Ganesh Mandir and many more, devotees would find their answers in Indore.
Indore was the residence of the Holkar dynasty. Hence, history buffs can take a deep dive into the Holkar and the Maratha empires by visiting any of the countless palaces and museums around the city. A popular tourist spot in Madhya Pradesh, there are a lot of unavoidable places to visit in Indore.
Best time to visit: October to March
Major Attractions: Kaanch Mandir, Rajwada Palace
Ideal duration to explore: 3 to 4 days
Things to do: Visit palaces, temples and learn about Holkar and Maratha dynasties
Gwalior
Known for its deep Hindustani classical music roots, Gwalior is arguably the most famous city in Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior was the birthplace of legendary singer Tansen and people from all around the world visit Gwalior to see his tomb. The city of Gwalior is also famous for its Gharana and the Tansen Music Festival.
Home to the Mughals and the Marathas, one can find history and cultural diversity brimming in every nook and corner of this city. Gwalior also houses countless memorabilia and monuments from the Rajput era. If you are a history buff then you should certainly have a list of places to visit in Gwalior handy.
Best time to visit: All around the year
Major Attractions: Tansen Tomb, Gwalior Gharana
Ideal duration to explore: 3 to 4 days
Things to do: Attend the Tansen Music Festival
Khajuraho
Head to the Chhatarpur district to enter the Khajuraho city where one can find the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Khajuraho Group of Monuments. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments, are a group of Hindu and Jain temples built in the nagara-style of architecture. The monument is known for its erotic sculptures. The city was once known as ‘Kharjuravahaka’, meaning ‘date palm’ in Sanskrit.
Khajuraho must be included in your list of places to visit in Madhya Pradesh if you are keen on historic monuments. The city stands as a symbol of the acceptance of diverse religious views among Hindus and Jains. The city was a prominent part of numerous dynasties in India and flourished the most under the Gupta dynasty.
Best time to visit: All around the year
Major Attractions: Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Ideal duration to explore: 1 to 2 days
Things to do: Explore the temple/castle ruins
Ujjain
Ujjain is an ancient city in India that has held its significance for centuries. Once the political capital of India, Ujjain is one of the most popular cities in India. Especially for devotees. Ujjain is the venue for the world-famous pilgrim festival that is held once every 12 years — Kumbh Mela. Bound in history, Ujjain is one of the top tourist spots in Madhya Pradesh.
Over the course of years, excavators have found pieces of evidence and artefacts dating as far back as the 3rd and 4th centuries BCE in Ujjain. The same emphasizes the prominent role of Ujjain in ancient India. Do not miss out on visiting the famous Jantar Mantar and the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple. There are many places to visit in Ujjain that will help you revisit the old era.
Best time to visit: October to March
Major Attractions: Jantar Mantar and the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple
Ideal duration to explore: 3 to 4 days
Things to do: Explore ancient temples
Pachmarhi
Dotted with greenery, Pachmarhi is a hill station in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. Famously known as Satpura ki Rani, Panchmari is one of the renowned attractions in Madhya Pradesh. Pachmarhi is a tourist retreat and welcomes visitors all around the year. Despite having many well-maintained hotels in the vicinity, tourists often prefer staying in the cottages or resorts on the hill station.
From the sunset point to various forest trails and waterfalls, one can feel closer to nature in Pachmarhi. The place is rich in its biodiversity and is home to wild beasts like tiger, leopard, wild board, the Indian wolf among the others. Make sure you do not miss out on visiting the Jatashankar and Mahadev Caves.
Best time to visit: All around the year
Major Attractions: Jatashankar and Mahadev Caves
Ideal duration to explore: 1 to 2 days
Things to do: Camping, Trekking
Jabalpur
Jabalpur is nestled on the banks of the holy Narmada river. The city reflects the essence of Madhya Pradesh and falls among the popular tourist spots in Madhya Pradesh. Known for its historical importance and ever-growing industrialisation, Jabalpur boasts visitors from all parts of the country. A visit to Jabalpur is highly recommended for tourists travelling from metro cities.
Slow down and take a moment to enjoy the gift of life by taking a dip in the holy Narmada or experiencing a thrilling boat ride at Bhedaghat. The spirit of Jabalpur can be experienced throughout the year. The marble rocks on the Narmada river at Bhedaghat is a popular destination over here. Jabalpur is a confluence of ancient and modern Indian cities.
Best time to visit: March to May
Major Attractions: Bhedaghat
Ideal duration to explore: 2 to 3 days
Things to do: Boating
Sanchi
Turning through the pages of the history book, one can find Sanchi’s name etched deeply on them. The ancient city has been a prominent part of India’s wealthy past and is the location of numerous Buddhist monuments. Sanchi is a famous Buddhist pilgrimage spot but is visited by all sorts of travellers. The town earns worldwide recognition for being home to the great Sanchi Stupa.
Sanchi town is also the place where one can learn a lot about the great ruler from the Maurya dynasty, Ashoka. Ashoka had an important role in spreading Buddhism across ancient India. Many of the stupas in Sanchi could not survive the test of time. However, due to its historic and religious significance, many of these stupas underwent restoration. Sanchi is one of the many popular places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
Best time to visit: November to March
Major Attractions: Sanchi Stupa
Ideal duration to explore: 2 to 3 days
Things to do: Learn in-depth about Buddhism and Maurya King Ashoka
Orchha
Home to famous Indian king Rudra Pratap Singh, Orchha is a small but famous town located in the Bundelkhand region, Madhya Pradesh. Founded in 1531 by Rudra Pratap Singh, Orchha acted as the capital during his reign. The same paved the way for many architectural wonders to be built in and around the city. The Fort of Orchha is one of the most visited attractions in Madhya Pradesh within the town.
Orchha, also known as Urchha, is nestled on the banks of the Betwa River. Tourists can find countless temples, palaces and historic buildings in this town. Even though many of these monuments are in ruins, their significance makes them popular among visitors. Orchha can be easily accessed from the nearby state of Uttar Pradesh.
Best time to visit: October to March
Major Attractions: Fort of Orchha
Ideal duration to explore: 1 day
Things to do: Explore palace/temple ruins
Mandu
Mandu or Mandavgad is an ancient city in India. Dubbed the Fortress Town, Mandu is greatly admired for its architecture. The city flourished the most under the reign of the Paramaras dynasty. Due to its strategic position, Mandu was a military outpost. Walk among the fortress and castle ruins and you can feel the war-cries echo into your ears.
Mandu is home to many places of interest like Roopmati’s Pavilion, Rewa Kund, Darya Khan’s Tomb complex among others. Mandu has a rich collection of Mughal style architecture and acts as a haven for history buffs. Make sure you visit Sunset Point and the Sagar Talab. Located in the western regions of the state, Mandu comes under one of the must-visit places in Madhya Pradesh.
Best time to visit: October to March
Major Attractions: Roopmati’s Pavilion, Rewa Kund
Ideal duration to explore: 1 to 2 days
Things to do: Know more about one of the oldest military outposts in India
In conclusion, a trip to Madhya Pradesh would help you quench your wanderlust and learn many things about ancient India. Being the cultural, political and financial hub of various dynasties, the state is dotted with beautifully carved temples, formidable forts and grand palaces.
Walk into the Heart of India by visiting Madhya Pradesh. With countless places to choose from, a proper itinerary would help you make the most of your trip to this state. In this article, we compiled a list of the best and unavoidable places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
FAQ
What is very famous in Madhya Pradesh?
Madhya Pradesh is home to numerous famous monuments and festivals. Some of them are Khajuraho Temples, Sanchi Stupa, Tansen’s Tomb, Gwalior Gharana etc. Apart from tourism, Madhya Pradesh is also famous for its delicious local food. Poha Jalebi, Dal Bafla, Bhopali Gosht Korma, Rogan Josh and Biryani Pilaf etc. are a must-try.
What is Madhya Pradesh famous for?
Madhya Pradesh is known as the Heart of India for its geographical location and its tourism significance. The state is best known for majestic monuments, imposing forts and centuries-old temples.
What is the best time to visit Madhya Pradesh?
Madhya Pradesh can be visited any time of the year. However, the best time to visit is during the winter, between October to March.