About Bhopal

Bhopal the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, a proud heritage and modern urban planning. It is situated on the site of an  11th century city, Bhojpal, founded by Raja Bhoj.

Bhopal today represents harmonic symphony of the old and new. The old city with its teeming market place, fine old mosques and the place still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers. The new city is equally impressive with verdant, exquistely laid out parks and gardens broad avenues and streamlined modern edifices.

There are some of the famous land marks of Bhopal : - Taj-ul-Masjid, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid, Shuakat Mahal, Sadar Manzil, Gohar Mahal, Bharat Bhawan, Museum, Gandhi Bhawan, Van Vihar, Chowk, Upper & Lower Lakes and its Aquarium.

Surrounding Tourist Places

• Sanchi World Renouned Heritage Site (60 km South of Bhopal) : - Sanchi is famous for its stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD. The Sanchi Stupa, the best known was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, Buddhism's most famous convert, who built the first stupas here in 3rd century BC. Stupas Carved with stories of Buddha's past and present and incidents from Buddhist history, the gateways are the finest specimens of early classical art.

• Udaygiri (80 km from Bhopal) : - Sculptures and the Lohangi Hill monuments nearby, the 2nd century BC. Heliodorous pillar and the 5the century AD Udaygiri Caves are well worth a visit.

• Bhojpur (30 km from Bhopal) : - Bhojpur is famous for its exquisite 11th century Shiva temple and lake built by Raja Bhoj Paramara.. known as the Somnath of North India, the temple has many Shiva Images engraved on its walls. It also houses an enormous shivalingam carved out of a single stone.

• Bhimbetka (50 km from Bhopal) : - The village of Bhimbetka is surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhya mountains. The range is covered by huge rocks, Recent discoveries of over 600 racks shelters (the largest group in the world) have revealed paintings that date back to the early Stone Age.

• Pachmarhi (210 km from Bhopal) : - Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's most verdant jewel. Each dawn at this lovely hill resort gridled by the Satpura ranges ushars in a day of tranquil beauty. The green shades that embrace the mountains flow quietly into ravines, and every where one can hear the gentle murmur of flowing waters. Bridle paths lead into placid forest glades; groves of wild bamboo and jamun, dense sal forest and delicate bamboo thickets. The fruit bearing mahua, aonls and gular trees, lend their distinctive colour tones to the valley, raviness and the maze of gorges. Sculpted in red sandstone by wind and weather ages ago add to this natural palette. Cascading waterfalls flash in silver streaks down the slopes. Deep azure pools emerge like hidden delights beckoning swimmers and paddlers. Wildlife enthusiasts are rewarded by glimpses of the animal and bird kingdoms.