Bhopal

Rhapsody of Beauty

An ancient Turkish bath. An impressive temple ruin. A vast man-made lake. Have we piqued your curiosity? A plate of hot jalebis. A cup of tea with a generous dollop of cream. A spicy mutton samosa. Is your mouth watering? A parchment of poetry. A rare tribal painting. An intricately carved idol. Are you ready to feast your eyes? Bhopal tourism is the beginning of an enriching adventure. Go forth and satiate your travel appetite.

Highlights of Bhopal:

Bhopal Religion: 

Taj-ul-Masjid roughly translates to ‘Crown among Mosques’. And for good reason too! The mosque consists of 18-storey high octagonal minarets with gorgeous marble domes. The entire edifice is in a blush pink colour. The ceilings are embellished with ornate petal designs, while the floors glisten with Mughal influences. This is one of the best places to visit in Bhopal, as it is India’s largest mosque and one among the largest in Asia. Take your time to marvel at the magnificent architecture.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple is special for several reasons. For one, it is dedicated to the sacred Goddess Lakshmi and her husband Vishnu. But it also consists of a shrine that commemorates Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. Set atop a hill, the temple offers an untarnished and spectacular views of the city. Bathed in beauty and tranquillity, it calls out to weary travellers.

Bhopal Nature:

Bhojtal, previously referred to as Upper Lake, is situated in the western region of the city. It is surrounded by Van Vihar National Park, a zoological oasis. The lake serves 40% of Bhopal’s population with a consistent supply of water. During festivals, idols are often bathed in its ripples. Tourists can enjoy a plethora of activities such as kayaking, canoeing, rafting, water skiing and parasailing. Tourism in Bhopal will always emphasise this one!

Ekpant Park fosters a unique atmosphere of ancient enchantment, perfect for individuals seeking a break from the bustle of sightseeing. A thick forested area laden with medicinal plants, a wide variety of flowers and birds. You will encounter a jumble of pathways, streams and nooks. Stroll or jog, the choice is yours.

Bhopal History: 

State Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of historic wonder, reflecting the rich heritage and legacy of Madhya Pradesh. The list of Bhopal famous places ranks this one extremely high. You can gain deep insight into prehistoric man by gazing at the well-preserved fossils and rocks. Gape at the impressive collection of paintings that were excavated from the Bagh Caves. Peruse through the tribal artefacts such as costume, jewellery and musical instruments! You will even find exquisite statues of the Hindu Trinity Gods.

Shaukat Mahal is a 180-year old architectural gem, built during the reign of Sikandar Begum. A fusion of Indo-Islamic and European styles, the palace once broke the monotony of standard structures during its time. Conceptualised and executed by a French designer, it perfectly encapsulates remnants of Renaissance and gothic influences.

Bhopal Culture:

Bharat Bhavan is indeed the cultural epicentre of Bhopal. It is an autonomous multi-art complex and museum, sponsored by the government of Madhya Pradesh. Facing Bhopal’s Upper Lake, the establishment consists of an art gallery, fine art workshop, open air amphitheatre, studio theatre, auditorium, tribal folk-art museum and libraries of Indian poetry.

Kalyan Singh’s Swad Bandhar is famous for its Bhopali Poha. With equal amounts of spiciness and sweetness, this light-hot poha will makes its way right into your heart. The garnish of crunchy sev on top, makes it simply scrumptious. Combine this with gooey-glistening jalebis and you’ve got yourself the finest breakfast. 

Interesting facts about Bhopal: 

• Bhopal tourism is renowned for its places of worship. Taj-ul-Masjid is the largest mosque in India and one of the largest in Asia. 
• Bhopal is home to the 300-year-old Qadimi Hammam, India’s only functional Turkish bath.
• Bhopal on Wheels is a guided tour on a bus that resembles a toy train.
• The pinnacle of art, architecture and public work was during the rule of the Begum Queens.
• The city houses approximately 150 prestigious engineering institutions.

Location Of Bhopal: 

Bhopal is situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It serves as the capital of this region as well as the headquarters of the Bhopal District and Bhopal division, respectively. The city is perched at a height of 500 metres, just north of the Vindhya Mountains. An uneven elevation, its topography consists of small hills within its boundaries. Bhopal is flanked by the districts of Guna in the north, Vidisha in the north east, Rajgarh in the northwest and Sehore in the southwest.

Click here to view Bhopal on Google Map

Best time to visit Bhopal:

The best time to visit Bhopal would be during the winter. November to February experiences a cool and crisp temperature of 12 to 29 degrees. During this time, one can explore Bhopal and its rich flavours. Bhopal in the monsoon is lush and beautiful. Between July and September, the rain soaks the foliage to new heights of green. The 24-31 C weather is provided with instant relief by the showers. When it comes to summer, the region is sultry, scorching and sun-kissed. April to June witnesses a 29-41 C climate, which makes this a particularly uncomfortable period to traverse. However, if you do have to visit the city at this time, make sure your attire is light, and your body is hydrated.

How to get to Bhopal: Exciting Excursion 

By Road – Bhopal is endowed with an extremely efficient road network, should you choose to hire a taxi or self-drive. National Highway 12 connects the city with Jabalpur and Jaipur, National Highway 86 with Sagar and Dewas, while National Highway 17 connects it with Indore. You can even avail of the bus service which consists of long distance as well as nearby routes. 

By Rail – Bhopal is situated in the West Central Railway Zone. In terms of north-south and east-west railway routes, Bhopal is one of the most well connected cities in the country. Bhopal Junction Railway Station is the largest and busiest station in the city, offering 150 daily train journeys. However, it is does not connect to Northeast Indian states. 

By Air – The Raja Bhoj International Airport offers a host of domestic flights to places such as Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad. Upon arrival, you can hire a taxi to take you to your place of accommodation. 

History Of Bhopal:

Folklore suggests that Bhopal was founded in the 11th century by Paramara King Bhoja. Yet another theory states that the city was named after King Bhupala. During the early 18th century, Bhopal was a little village in the Kingdom of Gond. The modern city of Bhopal was established by a Mughal soldier – Dost Mohammad Khan. In the year 1818, Bhopal was incorporated as a princely state by the British East India Company. Under the sovereignty of the British, the region was ruled by 4 women Begums namely, Qudsia Begum, Shah Jahan, Sikandar and Kaikhusrau Jahan. Bhopal was the second largest Muslim ruled princely state. It was only in the year of 1949 that Bhopal merged into Union of India.