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BHOPAL ATTRACTIONS |
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| CITY ATTRACTIONS |
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| BHOPAL EXCURSIONS |
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| RELIGIOUS PLACES |
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BHOPAL CITY ATTRACTIONS |
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| Chowk (Bazaar) |
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A visit to the Chowk (Bazaar), in the heart of the Old City, can be a wonderful way to gain insight into the daily lives of Bhopal's warm, friendly citizens. Its ramshackle streets are lined with old havelis and atmospheric stalls; it's impossible not to get involved in the village vibe, where shopping, hard-core haggling, and gossiping occupy one's time. Shop around for embroidered velvet cushions, tussar silk, silver jewelry, and intricate beadwork.
Its a must to visit this old city market and walk around the narrow lanes to see how the old city functions and also to get some great bargains on the special arts of Bhopal like the bead work and the hand embroidery that Bhopal is known for. |
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| The Lakes |
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These lakes highly contribute towards beautifying the landscape of Bhopal and are credited as the artwork of Raja Bhoj. The Upper Lake is 6 sq. km. in area and is divided from the Lower Lake by an over bridge. MP Tourism's Yacht Club provides facilities and warrants exciting trips by sail, paddle and motor boats at the Upper Lake. 'Van Vihar' (safari park) and the fish-shaped aquarium near the place also contribute towards its popularity amongst the locals and tourists. |
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| Shaukat Mahal |
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Shaukat Mahal exhibits Gothic and post-Renaissance architectural patterns and is a beautiful amalgamation of both oriental and occidental architectural styles. Thought to be designed by a Frenchman, it is strikingly different from the other Muslim monuments in its vicinity, especially with the triangular arches that adorn its roof. The white exterior of the building, carved with exquisite floral patterns, makes it stand out amongst all the antique monuments of Bhopal. Situated at the entrance to the chowk area in the heart of the walled city, Shaukat Mahal is an architectural curiosity. Nearby is the elegant, once-opulent Sadar Manzil, Hall of Public Audience of the former rulers of Bhopal. |
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| Bharat Bhavan |
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Designed by the preeminent Indian architect, Charles Correa, the breezy, modern Bharat Bhavan, overlooking Upper Lake, is one of the best cultural centers in the country, showcasing some wonderful contemporary and tribal art exhibitions. The centre houses a museum of arts, an art gallery, a workshop for fine arts, a repertory theatre, indoor and outdoor auditoria, rehearsal room, and libraries of Indian poetry, classical and folk music. |
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| Van Vihar National Park |
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Van Vihar is situated on the fringe of upper lake, which is a 'RAMSAR SITE' and the lifeline of capital city of Madhya Pradesh. It is a special area, which enjoys the status of a National park as well as "Large zoo", as per the standard fixed by the Central Zoo Authority of India. Rare combination of thrills of jungle and learning experience of Zoo can be visualized here in the heart of the city. Nature has tremendous capacity to resurrect itself and Van Vihar National Park is a live example that reflects its valuable capacity to rejuvenate itself. An area of 445.21 hectares of degraded, denuded and heavily excavated hillock in the city was provided legal protection after it was declared as a National Park way back on 18th of January 1983. The area has now been transformed into an island of natural wilderness due to continuous strict protection and sincere scientific management.
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| Bhimbetka Caves |
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The invaluable Indian treasures, in the form of Bhimbetka Caves, are surrounded by the craggy terrains of the Vindhya mountainous ranges. Located 46 km south of Bhopal, these Neolithic caves preserve prehistoric paintings and murals that are almost 12,000 years old. These ancient cave paintings vividly portray the lives and everyday activities of primitive cave dwellers and also exhibit their narrative skills. More than 200 caves form a part of this cave-sanctuary and enchant many visitors with their prehistoric significance. A trip to Bhopal provides the perfect opportunity to drive down to Bhimbetka to explore its amazing rock shelters in the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains. Deep in these great sandstone spurs, high above the forest cover are five clusters of caves, which were used as shelters for centuries by aboriginal settlements. The walls of these are embellished with paintings dating from the Mesolithic Period onwards. There are about 21 villages located in close proximity to the shelters and their inhabitants reflect the lifestyle of those depicted on these ancient caves. The Bhimbetka rock shelters are a World Heritage Site. |
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| Sanchi |
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The stupa at Sanchi is considered India's finest and most evocative example of ancient Buddhist architecture. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka -- famous for converting to Buddhism during a personal spiritual crisis after massacring thousands during his military campaigns in Orissa -- was responsible for laying the foundations in the 3rd century B.C. Set upon a squat hill affording lovely views of the surrounding countryside, the complex of stupas (fat, domelike monuments housing Buddhist relics), monasteries, and temples probably owes its location as much to the serenity of the site as it does to its proximity to the once-prosperous city of Vidisha, where Ashoka's devoted Buddhist wife, Mahadevi, lived. Located at the confluence of the Bes and the Betwa rivers and two important trade routes, the Buddhist complex elicited the patronage of Vidisha's wealthy merchant communities. Even during the invasions of the Hun, life at Sanchi appears to have gone undisturbed, and is believed to have continued until the 13th century A.D., when a resurgence of Hinduism and an increasingly militant Islamic movement led to a decline of Buddhism in India. The site was deserted for more than 500 years before its rediscovery -- again by a British military adventurer-type -- in 1818. Today, aside from the attractive complex of ruins, Sanchi is little more than a railway station, a few guesthouses, snack stands, a museum, a restaurant, and a shop. |
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| Bhojpur |
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Founded by the legendary Parmar King of Dhar, Raja Bhoj (1010-1053), and named after him, Bhojpur, 28 km from Bhopal, is renowned for the remains of its magnificent Shiva temple and Cyclopean dam. The temple which has earned the nomenclature of the Somnath of the east, is known as the Bhojeshwar Temple. The temple was never completed and the earthen ramp used to raise it to dome-level still stands. Had it been completed, it would have had very few rivals. As it is, even with the ravages of time, it remains one of the best examples of temple architecture of the 11th - 13th centuries. The lingam in the sanctum rises to an awe-inspiring height of 7.5 feet with a circumference of 17.8 feet. Set upon a massive platform 21.5 feet square, and composed of three superimposed limestone blocks, the architectural harmony of lingam and platform creates a superb synthesis of solidity and lightness. The temple was never completed, and the earthern ramp used to raise it to dome-level still stands. Had it been completed, it would have had very few rivals. As it is, even with the ravages of time, it remains one of the best examples of temple architecture of the 12th and 13th centuries. |
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| Udaigiri |
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Udaigiri caves is a archaeological site of antiquities and is located at 6 km from Vidisha between Beas and Betwa river.This site is mainly known for its ancient rock cut temples excavated in an isolated stand stone hill, which extends to a km long and 11o m high.There are 20 gupta cave shrine dated back to the period from 4th to 5th centuries A.D. Eighteen caves are of Hindu and 2 are of Jain.The caves are mostly small chambers , enshrining idols or images of various dynasties carved in to the rock of hill. The caves and other remains found at the site shows that the site has passed through the influence of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism those days.An inscription in one of these, states that it was produced during the reign of Chandragupta-2 (382-401 A.D), thus dating these caves to 4-5 A.D. The caves have been numbered according to the sequence in which they were excavated, particularly spectecural is cave 1 , which has a fontage adapted out of a natural ledge rock ,thus forming both the roof of the cella and its portico.Cave 5 in which lord Vishnu is depicted in his Varaha (Boar) incarnation holding aloft an one tusk the earth goddesses Prithvi. There is another sculpture of lord Vishnu in the reclining postures. Cave 9 has 2.5 m high pillars, long portico and pillared halls.Cave 7 was build for the personal use of king Chandragupta-2.Cave 20 has detailed Jain carving .All these caves have been cut in to a sandstone hill and have all the distinctive features that gave Gupta art its unique place.
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| Pachmarhi |
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Pachmarhi offers a spectacular view of nature in its full blossom. A place that has got a perfect blend of History, Religion and Nature. From the highs of 'Chaura Garh Temple' to the depths of 'Rajat Prapat', it offers a reason for everybody to visit here. According to mythological belief the 'Pandavas' stayed in these five caves, carved out of a single hillock during their exile. The name Pachmarhi is derived from the word ‘Pachmathi’ which means ‘five huts’. But Archaeologically these caves are said to be carved by Buddhists in the 9th or 10th century A.D. In front of the caves there is a beautiful garden.
The hill resort of Pachmarhi lies in the Satpura ranges, at an altitude of 1,100m. At Pachmarhi there are tranquil forests along with deep ponds and lava hills. Formed of red sandstone, the valley, ravines and the maze of gorges at Pachmarhi are attractive. Captain Forsyth of Bengal Lancers discovered the hill resort of Pachmarhi in 1857. The hill resort had a colonial past. The churches and cemeteries of Pachmarhi reveal the same. Besides being a hill resort Pachmarhi was a military sanatorium of the British.
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RELIGIOUS PLACES IN BHOPAL |
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| Taj Ul Masjid |
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Taj-ul Masjid flaunts being one of the largest in India and occupies an important place among the various places of tourist interest in Bhopal. The erection of this mosque was started by Shah Jahan Begum that took place during her reign from 1868 A.D. to 1901 A.D., but it was never accomplished in her lifetime. Construction of the mosque was completed in the year 1971 by the efforts of the Government of India. These days, this huge pink mosque featuring two stupendous white-domed minarets is used as a school for religious teachings. The religious ceremony called Ijtima is held here each and every year that attracts numerous tourists from all parts of India. |
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| Laxmi Narayan Temple |
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Laxmi Narayan Temple is also known as the Birla Mandir and is located to the south of the Lower Lake on the Arera Hills. Close to the temple is a museum that is the repository of sculptures from the districts of Raisen, Sehore, Mandsaur, and Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh. There are stone sculptures mostly of Shiva, Vishnu, and their respective consorts and incarnations. |
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| Moti Masjid |
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The Moti Masjid was an important landmark of Bhopal, and was built in 1860 by Sikandar Jehan Begum, Qudisiya Begum?s daughter. Sikandar Begum was fairly unconventional compared to Muslim women of her time ? she usually dressed like a man and went out riding without a veil, often with a dagger tucked under her belt. Bhopal came to be known as the domain of the relatively liberated, even progressive women, and it was Sikandar Begum who set the trend. The Begum was an enthusiastic reformer, open to modern ideas. She abolished slavery and built roads, bridges and beautiful monuments like the Moti Masjid. One of the most important mosques in Bhopal, the Moti Masjid, has a very modern appearance and is very well preserved, just like most others in Bhopal. The mosque has a marble-white facade with two small cupolas atop it, and it has two huge black minarets on either side of it. |
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| Jama Masjid |
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This is a beautiful mosque with gold spikes crowning the minarets. It is said that centuries earlier, a queen of King Upayadita Paramara (1059-80 AD), grandson of Raja Bhoja, founded a temple here known as Sabha Mandala in 1184 A. D. Compared to the Taj-ul-Masjid, the Jama Masjid is the much smaller mosque, and was built by Qudisiya Begum in 1837.
The mosque stands tall in the centre of the main bazaar of Bhopal and has beautiful gold minarets topped by golden spikes.
Not as grand as the Taj-ul-Masjid, the Jama Masjid is nevertheless a well-preserved monument, and its two huge minarets can be sighted from a great distance. The mosque also has three bulbous cupolas, but the main feature of the Jama Masjid is its interior - a splendid example of Islamic architecture. The mosque contains a series of alabaster-white columned arches that present a very pretty sight, and the inner sanctum of the mosque is built out of marble. The Jama Masjid complex also contains a small pond, and was extensively renovated after Independence. |
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| Manua Bhan Ki Tekri |
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Near seven kilometer away from Bhopal on Gwalior road on the top of a hill is situated Manua Bhan Ki Tekri, the Jain temple, a pilgrimage and faith of jain devotees. On the tekri the Jain saint Maharaj Shri Vijay Suriji, Shri Jindutta Sureshwarji and Acharya Manutung’s footwears are kept and also a idol of Shri Man Bhadarji has been installed. On the Simha Gate of the temple is an old manuscript carved on the stone, the language in which it has been written is still to be deciphered. It is also said to be the Sadhana Sthali of Oswal Dynasty. A big fare is also held every year here on Kartik Purnima. |
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