Top 8 Places to Visit in Madhya Pradesh, India

Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India has some of the most incredible places you can visit.

This central Indian state is renowned for captivating visitors with a range of attractions.

Madhya Pradesh is a retreat for all kinds of travelers, drawing in a significant number of visitors from all over the world.

The state will impress you in unexpected ways, whether you are looking forward to the thrill of spending time in nature’s lap or you are eager to know more about the royal, spiritual and cultural splendors.

In this article, you will get to know about the following places to visit in Madhya Pradesh,

Khajuraho
Amarkantak
Ujjain
Sanchi
Omkareshwar
Bandhavgarh National Park
Pachmarhi
Gwalior

Let’s see each of these places in detail…

List of some of the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh

Some of the top attractions you can visit in Madhya Pradesh are,

1. Khajuraho

Khajuraho is a stunning example of the Indian architecture and culture of the medieval period.

Categorized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khajuraho is special for the extraordinarily beautiful temples with aesthetic and sensuous carvings.

The stone carvings depict passionate forms of love.

The word “Khajuraho” is derived from “Khajur,” which stands for the date palms that originally encircled the complex of temples.

It is built between 950 and 1050 AD by the Chandela Rulers.

The temple complex of Khajuraho is categorized into two groups of temples based on their orientation – the Western Group of temples and the Eastern group of temples.

The western group includes the largest temple of Lord shiva known as the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple.

Other temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganeshas, the Sun God, and Jain Tirthankaras.

These temples have intricate designs and distinct sculptures.

The Eastern Ghat primarily has Jain temples revered by the Jain Tirthankaras.

2. Amarkantak

Amarkantak also known as Teertharaj or the ‘King of pilgrimages’ is located amidst the Satpura and Vindhyan ranges in Madhya Pradesh.

This hill station is situated at a height of 1065 meters and has a myriad of temples that impresses all its visitors.

The holy river of Narmada is said to have originated from Amarakantak making this place more special and sacred.

It also serves the confluence of the Sone, Narmada, and Johils rivers.

Additionally, it is known for its rich cultural legacies and is also surrounded by dense foliage with numerous medicinal herbs.

The great mystic poet Sant Kabir is said to have meditated here on Kabir Chabutra.

3. Ujjain

The ancient city of Ujjain sits in Madhya Pradesh’s Malwa area, on the eastern bank of the Shipra River.

It is regarded as one of the holiest places in India.

The Kumbh Mela, which is regarded as the world’s greatest gathering of devotees is held in four locations, with Ujjain being one of them.

As a result, Ujjain is a significant site for Hindu pilgrimage.

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Shiva shrines known as Jyotirlingas, is also located here.

Ujjain is a top tourist destination for both Indian and foreign visitors because of its enormous wealth in terms of religion, architecture, and educational values.

4. Sanchi

Sanchi is a renowned world heritage site.

The Buddhist monument of Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest structures in India built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd Century BC.

It sits on the hilltop of Sanchi.

The stone structure is indispensably associated with the history of the Mauryan Dynasty and the development of Buddist art, culture, and architecture in Madhya Pradesh.

The Stupa was built over the burial ground of Lord Buddha and has a large hemispherical dome that is more than 50 ft high and has a diameter of more than 30 meters.

It was constructed to honour Lord Buddha and hence preserves many important Buddist relics.

The ancient monasteries, stupas, and Ashoka Pillar with rich ornate and intricate carvings are the other main attractions of Sanchi.

5. Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar houses one of the 12 jyotirlingas of India. It nestles on the confluence of River Kaveri and Narmada.

The city of Omkareshwar has a unique shape of “Om” resembling an island. It is due to the coalescence of two valleys and the central pool of the two prominent rivers.

Om is a very spiritual symbol of the Hindus and Omkara is another name for Lord Shiva.

The holy town also features many pilgrimage sites, scenic beauty, and architectural wonders,

It also houses two ancient shrines of Lord Shiva Amarkareshwar and Omkareshwar.

Another prominent shrine is the Kedareshwar Temple.

The distinct pilgrimage site is also bounded by marvellous views of the mountain which deliver a peaceful ambiance altogether.

6. Bandhavgarh National Park

The Bandhavgarh National Park, which formerly was a hunting ground of the maharajas of Rewa, now serves as the renowned tiger reserve sheltering the highest population of Bengal Tigers.

You can spot Royal Bengal tigers frequently in this national Park and therefore it is a favorite spot for wildlife enthusiasts.

Apart from tigers, there are more than 250 species of avifauna and more than 22 species of mammals.

You can enjoy jeep safaris to have a glimpse of these animals.

The park derived its name from the Bandhavgarh Fort situated at a height of 800-meter high cliffs.

Although the fort is in ruins now, you can trek to the top of the cliff to have a breathtaking 360-degree view of the surroundings.

7. Pachmarhi

Pachmarhi is a beautiful hill station in Madhya Pradesh.

The tranquil and picturesque hill station is the highest point in the state.

The charming hilly village, which is a part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is located at an elevation of 1,067 meters.

The “Queen of the Satpura Range” or “Satpura ki Rani” are other names for Pachmarhi. It is home to leopards and bison.

On the hilltop of Pachmarhi, 5 sandstone cut caves are believed to be the place for the respite of Pandavas during exile.

Now it has become a popular religious spot for tourists.

Pachmarhi is also a perfect weekend getaway from the nearby cities of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

YOu can have sweeping views of the surging waterfalls and forests from the hilltop.

There are also many colonial-style churches here since this small hill town was discovered by the Captain James Forsyth of the British Army.

8. Gwalior

Gwalior is a historic city that is filled with glorious palaces, forts, and temples.

The majestic charm of the hilltop fort of Gwalior was founded by King Surahjesam with a regal and eminent background.

Gwalior has a rich legacy of bearing rich culture and holds a very significant position in the history of Indian classical music.

There are various monuments and museums which you can see here too.

The Tomb of Tansen is a popular cultural heritage located here.

During November and December, a four-day Tansen Music festival is celebrated and renowned classical musicians perform on the stage near the tomb.

Jai Vilas Palais is an extravagant palace that has the largest carpet in the world which took almost 12 years to weave.

The two most massive chandeliers weighing 3.5 tonnes are also the main attraction of Jai Vilas.

These are some of the popular places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

With so many well-known locations, Madhya Pradesh offers visitors a fascinating vacation destination.

No matter if your vacation objectives are related to adventure or cultural interests, Madhya Pradesh will provide you with wonderful moments to cherish forever.

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