Tourism in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is not called the "Heart of India" only because of its location in the centre of the country. It has been home to the cultural heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces are dotted all over the State.

The natural beauty

The natural beauty of Madhya Pradesh is equally varied. Consisting largely of a plateau streaked with the hill ranges of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras, the State has everything. The hills give rise to the main river system - Narmada and the Tapti, running from east to west, and the Chambal, Sone, Betwa, Mahanadi west to east. Spectacular mountain ranges, meandering rivers dotted with hills and lakes and miles and miles of dense forests offering a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife in sylvan surroundings.

One third of the state is forested and offers a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife. In the National Parks of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Shivpuri and many others one has the rare opportunity to see the tiger, the bison and a wide variety of deer and antelope in sylvan surroundings.

World heritage sites

Although the modern state of Madhya Pradsh came into being in 1956, its cultural heritage is ancient and chequered. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces on hilltops, raise in the visitors mind visions of empires and kingdoms, of the great warriors and builders, poets and musicians, saints and philosophers; of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. India's immoral poet-dramatist Kalidasa and the great musician of the Mughal court, Tansen, were from Madhya Pradesh.

Several cities in Madhya Pradesh are extraordinary for their architecture and or scenic beauty.
Four sites in Madhya Pradesh have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO:
*The Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
*The Devi Jagadambi temple (1986)
*Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
*The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)

ignificant sites

Other architecturally significant or scenic sites include:
* Amarkantak
* Asirgarh
* Bawangaja
* Bhopal
* Chanderi
* Chitrakuta
* Deorkothar
* Dhar
* Gwalior
* Indore
* Maheshwar
* Mandleshwar
* Mandu
* Omkareshwar
* Orchha
* Shivpuri
* Sonagiri and Ujjain. Madhya Pradesh being very large geographically, and the history being spread over several millennia, a developing a comprehensive picture of heritage and architecture is a monumental task.

National Parks

Madhya Pradesh is home to several National Parks, including:
* Bandhavgarh National Park
* Kanha National Park
* Satpura National Park
* Sanjay National Park
* Madhav National Park
* Van Vihar National Park
* Mandla Plant Fossils National Park
* Panna National Park
* Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh.

Nature reserves

There are also a number of nature preserves, including:
* Amarkantak
* Bagh Caves
* Bhedaghat
* Bori Nature Reserve
* Ken Gharial
* Ghatigaon
* Kuno Palpur
* Narwar
* Chambal
* Kukdeshwar
* Narsinghgarh
* Nora Dehi
* Pachmarhi
* Panpatha, Shikarganj

Fairs and festivals

Customs and beliefs in each area in Madhya Pradesh have added colour to the fairs and festivals. Shivratri in Khajuraho, Bhojpur, Pachmarhi and Ujjain; Ramanavami in Chitrakoot and Orchha, Bhagoriya dance in Jhabua and the annual festival of dances at Khajuraho are events for the tourists to remember. The Malwa festival in Indore, Mandu and Ujjain, and the Pachmarhi festival bring alive the rich folk and tribal culture of the state in colourful celebrations.

Gallery

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External links