Madhya Pradesh, located at the centre of the Indian subcontinent, is often referred to as the “heart of India”. One of India’s largest states, it is rich in history, culture, and heritage, and is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. Magnificent forts, royal palaces, and ancient temples dot the entire region, while dense forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and plateaus add breathtaking variety to its terrain. Interestingly, Madhya Pradesh has a total of 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely the Bhimbetka Rock Caves, Sanchi Stupa, Khajuraho temples, Bhedaghat Marble Rocks, and the Satpura Tiger Reserve.

The Best Places to Visit in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal, the “City of Lakes”

Bhopal is known as the “City of Lakes” and is dotted with both natural and man-made lakes. The natural beauty, mosques, havelis, temples, and museums displaying local artifacts and heritage together make it the best city to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal is renowned for its amazing lakes, the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake. The Upper Lake is marked with the statue of Raja Bhoja, a ruler of the 11th Century. The lake has been the favourite shooting location for many Indian cinemas and has a mythical Dargah (prayer site) of Shah Ali Shah, a local Sufi saint. Many water sports activities such as paddling and motorboat rides are done here. The Lower Lake houses an aquarium with a large variety of fish and aquatic flora.

Van Vihar National Park

Located along the Upper Lake is the Van Vihar National Park, one of the many best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Combining elements of a zoo and a national park, where wild animals are not confined to cages but allowed to roam in large enclosures similar to their natural habitat, makes it a must-see destination.

Gauhar Mahal

The Gauhar Mahal, built by the first woman ruler of Bhopal, Qudisiya Begum, is located beside the Upper Lake. The structure of the Mahal combines Hindu and Mughal architecture and also provides a lot of insights about the Mughal rule in India.

Next is the Shaukat Mahal with its distinctive Indo-European architecture that brings Gothic, Mughal, and post-Renaissance elements together.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

The Bhimbetka World Heritage Site, about an hour’s drive from Bhopal, is renowned for its ancient rock shelters and cave paintings that provide a fascinating glimpse into early human life and culture.

The Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

The Sanchi Stupa, an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists around the world, is also a popular tourist destination. Its origins go back to Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty, who built the stupa to enshrine the relics of Buddha.

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments

The ancient city of Khajuraho, known for its temples and sculptures is found in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Now, the surviving 25 temples and structures spread over a wide open area represent the spiritual teachings, meditations, and historical tales of the era.

Bhedaghat-Lametaghat in Narmada Valley

The marble rocks of Bhedaghat are another natural wonder, where people come to enjoy boat rides with the majestic marble rocks on all sides. The towns of Orchha and Ujjian are also very popular destinations for their ancient murals and temples respectively.

Satpura Tiger Reserve

A wildlife haven, Madhya Pradesh houses the famous Satpura Tiger Reserve. With highly rugged terrain, deep valleys, sandstone gorges, dense forests of teak, and sparkling brooks and waterfalls, the tiger reserve has the most amazing flora and fauna.

The Best Time to Visit Madhya Pradesh

As the Tropic of Cancer passes through Madhya Pradesh, the summers here can be extreme and not ideal for traveling. However, from October to February/March, the temperature here is very pleasant and this is the best time to visit Madhya Pradesh.

The Best Resorts in Madhya Pradesh

A select few luxury accommodations in Madhya Pradesh offer impeccable service with world-class facilities that truly accentuate the traveling experience of visitors.

The Taj Lakefront

The Taj Lakefront, overlooking the Upper Lake in Bhopal, is one of the best resorts to stay in Madhya Pradesh. One of its highlights is the incorporation of local food items and dishes in its fine dining menu, offering a truly authentic culinary experience for the guests.

The Jehan Numa Hotels

The Jehan Numa Hotels, situated in the Shyamala hills, incorporates British Colonial, Italian Renaissance, and Classical Greek architecture to give its guests a royal retreat. The hotel also offers a host of body and skin therapies in its in-house spa.

The Lalit Temple View

The Lalit Temple View is another excellent five-star accommodation in Khajuraho, offering panoramic views of the heritage site. It provides tours for its guests to different parts of the ancient city.