A glimpse  into some of the virgin, lesser known and popular attractions of Madhya Pradesh epitomising the ethereal beauty of the state By Rituparna Chatterjee

From innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, forts, stupas and palaces to spectacular mountain ranges, meandering rivers dotted with hills and lakes, and dense forests offering an exciting panorama of wildlife, ‘The heart of Incredible India’ is an extraordinaire destination steeped as much in history and culture as in scenic beauty. Be it wildlife, nature, heritage or pilgrimage, Madhya Pradesh has a diverse range of tourism offerings. For instance, the state boasts of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Khajuraho group of monuments, the Buddhist monuments at Sanchi and the rock shelters of Bhimbetka. Madhya Pradesh also has several other architecturally significant sites like  Amarkantak, Asirgarh, Bawangaja, Bhopal, Chanderi, Dhar, Gwalior, Indore just to name a few. It is also home to several national parks including Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Satpura National Park, Sanjay National Park, Madhav National Park, among others. This state also boasts of some of the largest and popular festivals in the country like the Khajuraho Dance Festival, Akhil Bhartiya Kalidasa Samaroha in Ujjain, Tansen Sangeet Samaroh in Gwalior, etc.

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Adventure galore

Though Madhya Pradesh has always attracted tourists for its heritage and culture, it is also endowed with majestic terrains and pristine water bodies that serve as a gateway for adventure lovers to get an adrenaline rush. From wildlife safaris at national parks to offbeat activities like hot air ballooning, parasailing, etc, there is something for everyone here. For instance, to celebrate the river Narmada, popularly known as the lifeline of the state, Madhya Pradesh Tourism has initiated a mega annual event from this year called Jal Mahotsav. The primary objective of this event is to position Madhya Pradesh as one of the most sought after travel and leisure destinations in India. This year, Jal Mahotsav was held from February 12-21 at the virgin location of Hanuwantiya in the Khandwa District. The event enabled visitors to experience the customs and traditions of the tribes living on the banks of the river by showcasing the local art, craft, folk music, dance and cuisine. For adventure enthusiasts, several activities were organised including beach volleyball, cycling, trekking, cruise boating, banana rides, parasailing, island overnight camping, stargazing, hot air ballooning, among others. Madhya Pradesh Tourism is looking at positioning Hanuwantiya as a water and adventure tourism destination and a resort has been opened there.

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Apart from showcasing the adventure tourism potential of a new destination – Hanuwantiya, Madhya Pradesh also boasts of several popular adventure hotspots like the Flying Fox twin racing zip lines over Kerwa Lake in Bhopal, the cable car ride over the marble rocks of Bhedaghat over river Narmada, river rafting at Orchha, rock climbing in Pachmarhi, boat ride in Upper Lake, jungle camping in Delawadi, water sports at Bargi Dam, wildlife safari at Kanha National Park, among others.

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A confluence of religions

Madhya Pradesh is famous for its historic Hindu and Buddhist temples, and mosques. For instance, the Omkareshwar Temple, located on Mandhata or Shivapuri island in the river Narmada, is considered to be a very holy Hindu site owing to the existence of a jyotirlinga, which is one of the 12 to be found in the country.  The word Omkareshwar has been derived from the word Om, which is the holiest Hindu symbol. The lingam embodies Lord Shiva. An unique aspect of the Omkareshwar Temple is that it is built entirely out of a locally available soft stone. Located near Omkareshwar Temple is the Mamleshwar Jyotirlinga, also known as the Amreshwar Temple. It is a protected ancient monument with beautiful architectural stone work. The wall of the temple contains the inscription of Mahimna Stotra dating back to 1063 AD. Other notable temples include the Chaturbhuj Temple in Orchha, Chintaman Ganesh Temple in Ujjain, Devi Jagadambi Temple in Khajuraho, Gajanan Maharaj Temple in Indore, just to name a few.

Apart from temples, the state houses several mosques like the Dhai Seedi Ki Masjid and Taj-ul-Masajid in Bhopal. One of the most notable mosques is the Taj-ul-Masajid which is famous for its Mughal architecture featuring three domes and two minarets and a pink facade. For those into Buddhism, the Buddhist temples of Dharmrajeshwar, Deur Kothar and Sanchi are a must visit.

Historical splendour

The beautiful state of Madhya Pradesh known for its rich history, culture and tradition, owes much of this diversity to the reign of different dynasties over a long period of time. Perched along the Vindhya ranges at an altitude of 2,000 feet, Mandu, was originally the fort capital of the Parmar rulers of Malwa. Towards the end of the 13th century, it came under the power of the Sultans of Malwa, the first of whom named it Shadiabad – ‘city of joy’. Each of Mandu’s historical structure is an architectural marvel. Some of these are Jami Masjid, Hoshang Shah’s Tomb, etc. Considered the biggest fort in India, the Mandu Fort was founded as a fortress retreat by Raja Bhoj in the 10th century and contains the ruins of palaces, canals, baths, pavilions, etc. Closer to the Mandu Fort is the Jahaz Mahal or the Ship Palace. Standing lengthwise on a narrow strip of land between the waters of the Munja and Kapur tanks, this palace resembles a ship and was built by the pleasure-seeking Sultan Ghiyathud-Din for his large harem. Another historical site worth visiting at Mandu is Baz Bahadur’s Palace. Built by Baz Bahadur in the early 16th century, the palace’s unique features are its spacious courtyards surrounded by halls and high terraces which offer a picturesque view of the surrounding countryside.

A visit to ‘The heart of Incredible India’ is incomplete without visiting Orchha, which is known for its chhatris (cenotaphs) designed in the memory of the late rulers and noblemen. Unlike other cenotaphs, which are in the form of temples, the ones in Orchha are an exception. There are 15 cenotaphs of the Bundela rulers and members of their family on the southern bank of the Betwa river. The chhatris rise on a square platform with the sanctum having a similar shape. The sanctum holds the ashes of the cremated princes and princesses. One can take a raft down the Betwa river to get a better view of the chhatris.

Madhya Pradesh boasts of several museums to give a glimpse into the history and culture of the state. The ASI Museum in Khajuraho has some exquisite sculptures which are well displayed. In the foyer is the beautiful dancing Ganesh. There are also three stone images taken from the Chausath Yogini Temple of Khajuraho – Brahmani, Maheshwari and Mahishasuramardini. Chanderi, located 40 km from Lalitpur on the Delhi-Bhopal rail line, is a well-known medieval town. The Archeological Museum in Chanderi was opened for public on April 3, 1999 and is a notable attraction. Other museums worth a visit are ASI Museum in Mandu, Central Museum in Indore and Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum in Gwalior.