29 Best Historical Places & Heritage sites near Bhopal (2024)

Historical & Heritage

Ajanta Caves are one of the oldest UNESCO World heritage sites in Maharashtra, and among the most prominent Maharashtra tourist places. One of the most visited ancient monuments in India, these caves are situated about 98 km from Aurangabad, 326 km from Pune, and 443 km from Mumbai.

Carved between 2nd Century BC and 6th Century AD, Ajanta Caves are excavated in a horseshoe-shaped bend of rock surface nearly 76 m in height overlooking the Waghur River. The complex consists of 29 rock-cut cave monuments built during the Satavahana period and the Vakataka period. The caves at Ajanta are famous for beautiful mural paintings and sculptures that depict tales of Jatakas. The world-famous paintings at Ajanta also fall into two broad phases. The earliest is noticed in the form of fragmentary specimens in Cave 9 & 10, which are among the must-visit places as part of Ajanta holiday packages. The second phase of paintings started around the 5th - 6th centuries and the specimen of these exemplary paintings could be noticed in Cave 1, 2, 16, and 17.

Various incidents from the life of Gautama Buddha and the Jataka Tales are represented and recreated on the walls of these caves. It can be visited along with Aurangabad tour packages.

Distance from Bhopal: 494 Kms

Historical & Heritage

Chittorgarh or Chittaurgarh is a historical city and municipality located on the banks of river Gambhiri and Berach in Rajasthan, India. About 117 km from Udaipur, and 620 km from Delhi, it is one of the top heritage places in Rajasthan, and among the must include places in Rajasthan tour packages.

Chittorgarh is the former capital of the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar, and this fascinating destination can be visited along with Udaipur packages. Chittorgarh is mainly known for its beautiful forts and temples. The Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India and among the prime places to visit as part of Chittorgarh packages.

Kirti Stambh, Padmini's Palace, Rana Kumbha Palace, Vijaya Stambh, Gaumukh Reservoir, Kalika Mata Temple, Meera Temple, Shyam Temple are some of the prominent tourist places in Chittorgarh. Gangur and Jauhar are the popular festivals celebrated in Chittorgarh, followed by other festivals like Diwali and Holi.

Distance from Bhopal: 469 Kms

Historical & Heritage

Jhansi is a historical city lies in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. About 102 km from Gwalior, 235 from Kanpur, and 314 from Lucknow, it is one of the top places to visit in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Uttar Pradesh tour packages.

Situated between Betwa and Pahunch Rivers, Jhansi is one of the top places to visit near Gwalior. Earlier known as Balwant Nagar, Jhansi was the seat of the Chandela dynasty and flourished under their rule. The region got its name from the fort built by Raja Bir Singh Deo, in 1613 CE, one of the must-include places in Jhansi packages.

The artistic grandeur of the Chandela rulers is still evident in the monuments and other ancient structures standing in the city. Jhansi Fort, Rani Jhansi Museum, Parichha Dam, Rani Lakshmi Bai Park, Barua Sagar, Rani Mahal, and Cenotaphs of Gangadhar Rao are the top tourist places in Jhansi.

Distance from Bhopal: 335 Kms

Historical & Heritage

The archaeological site of Bhimbetka is one of the popular places of heritage in Madhya Pradesh, and among the top tourist places in Madhya Pradesh. About 45 km from Bhopal, it is situated inside the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, embedded in sandstone rocks, in the foothills of the Vindhya Range.

The site consists of around 750 rock shelters distributed over 10 km (6.2 mi) which are the must-visit attractions of Bhimbetka holiday packages. The Bhimbetka group contains 243 of these, while the Lakha Juar group nearby has 178 shelters. The Bhimbetka site has the oldest-known rock art in India. Among all other caves, Auditorium Cave is one of the significant features of the site. Bhimbetka can also be visited along with Bhopal tour packages.

Out of the 750 rock shelters, 500 are adorned with interesting paintings and the earliest are about 30,000 years old. However, only 15 caves are opened for visitors. The paintings in the caves are completely diverse in nature as the caves have been around for millennia, and are executed with themes taken from the everyday events of the people who lived in the caves.

Distance from Bhopal: 45 Kms

Historical & Heritage

Famous worldwide for its Buddhist monuments, Sanchi is one of the popular places of heritage in Madhya Pradesh. It is located about 21 km from Raisen, and 46 km from Bhopal.

Among the top places to visit near Bhopal, the town of Sanchi is the center of a region with innumerable age-old stupas, monasteries, temples, monolithic pillars, and other remnants of the rich Buddhist culture. The monuments of Sanchi are probably the best-preserved group of Buddhist monuments in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Sanchi holiday packages.

A renowned UNESCO World Heritage site, the Great Stupa is one of the oldest stone structures in India and was installed by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty in the 3rd century BC. This Greco-Buddhist-style monument is believed to hold the bones and beads of some of the closest disciples of Buddha. Besides, Ashoka Pillar, the Great Bowl, Sanchi Museum, Gupta Temple, and Udayagiri Caves are the other tourist places in Sanchi.

Distance from Bhopal: 46 Kms

Historical & Heritage

Chanderi is a historical town positioned beautifully along the River Betwa in Madhya Pradesh. About 207 km from Gwalior, and 218 km from Bhopal, it is one of the popular places to visit in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must-include places in India tour packages.

Surrounded by magnificent hills, forests, and beautiful lakes, Chanderi boasts of a kind of scenic beauty that should be experienced by travellers of all sorts as part of Chanderi packages. This small town is located along the Betwa river, further, making it an amazing option to explore. Chanderi is also famous for its vibrant weaving industry and one can find a variety of weaves right from Chanderi cotton-silk to pure Chanderi silk here and every weave is exemplary in itself. It is one of the top places to visit near Bhopal.

Tourism in Chanderi consists of a mix of forts, monuments, lakes, and temples. Chanderi Fort, Koshak Mahal, Badal Mahal Gate, Kati Ghati Gateway, Chanderi Museum, Rajghat Dam, Jauhar Monument, etc. are some of the prominent tourist places in Chanderi.

Distance from Bhopal: 219 Kms

Historical & Heritage

Mandu is an ancient fort city located in the present-day Mandav area of the Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. Also called Mandavgad, it is one of the popular places to visit in Madhya Pradesh and among the must-include places in India tour packages. It is about 98 km from Indore, and 286 km from Bhopal.

Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Mandu or Mandavgad , the epitome of architectural excellence,is one of the prominent places to visit near Indore. The city sits over a plateau and is surrounded by walls of stones and dotted with 12 gateways. The beauty of Mandu is visible in its palaces, monuments, and widespread lawns, among the prime attractions of Mandu packages.

Dotted with palaces, mosques, tombs, and gardens, Mandu was a pleasure resort under the Mughal empire and is a testament to the romance between Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati. Jahaz Mahal, Rani Roopmati Pavillion, Hindola Mahal, Hoshang Shah's Tomb, Baz Bahadur's Palace, Hathi Mahal, Bagh Caves, Jami Masjid, Rewa Kund, etc., are some of the major and top tourist places in Mandu.

Distance from Bhopal: 285 Kms

Historical & Heritage | Pilgrimage

Maheshwar is a temple town located in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh. About 90 km from Indore, and 279 km from Bhopal, it is one of the popular places to visit near Indore and among the must-include places in India tour packages.

Maheshwar is largely referred to as the temple town of Madhya Pradesh,and one of the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. The town is famous as the place ruled by the legendary Maratha Malwa queen Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar. Situated on the banks of river Narmada, the town possesses a treasure trove of beautiful temples, gorgeous ghats, and forts. Rajeshwar temple is the main. Narmada Ghat, Kaleshwara Temple, Rajarajeshwara Temple, Ahalyeshwar Temple, and Maheshwar Fort are some of the top tourist places in Maheshwar. Besides, the town is famous for Maheshwari Sarees, and locally manufactured brass utensils.

Nimar Utsav is one of the major events held every year at Maheshwar around Kartik Purnima (November). Apart, Maha Shivratri is also an important festival where thousands of people spend the night on the Ghats and worship the multitude of Shivalinga's as part of Maheshwar packages.

Distance from Bhopal: 287 Kms

Historical & Heritage

Orchha or Urchha is a small ancient town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, India. About 123 km from Gwalior, 237 km from Kanpur, and 352 km from Bhopal, it is one of the popular tourist places in India, and among the must include places in Madhya Pradesh tour packages.

Orchha, means a 'hidden place', is situated on the banks of Betwa River and is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. It is one of the popular heritage places to visit near Gwalior and Kanpur. Orchha was established in 1501 AD by Bundela king Rudra Pratap Singh, who became the first emperor of Orchha, (1501-1531) and also built the Orchha Fort, must visit places as part of Orchha packages.

Besides Orchha Fort, Chaturbhuj Temple, Chhatris, Lakshmi Narayan Temple and Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the famous tourist places in Orchha. It can be visited along with Jhansi tour packages.

Distance from Bhopal: 352 Kms

Historical & Heritage | Pilgrimage

At a distance of 47 km from Chhatarpur, 118 km from Satna, 179 km from Jhansi, 223 km from Kanpur, 265 km from Jabalpur, 283 km from Gwalior, 283 km from Allahabad, 388 km from Bhopal and 624 km from Delhi, Khajuraho is a historical town located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho is one of the top places to visit in Madhya Pradesh and among the must include places in your Madhya Pradesh tour packages.

Earlier, Khajuraho was the cultural capital of Chandela Rajputs who ruled this part of India during 10th to 12th centuries AD. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela monarchs over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150 AD. After the fall of Chandela rulers, these temples were abandoned and long-forgotten until rediscovered by British Captain T.S. Burt, in 1838 AD. Known around the world for its stunning temples adorned by erotic carvings, the Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered to be one of the seven wonders of India.

The marvelous architecture and erotic carvings are the best and most notable aspects of Khajuraho temples. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about 8 square miles. The temples also have numerous other sculptures depicting the life of a common man in that era. Khajuraho ...

Distance from Bhopal: 372 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 121 km from Agra, 174 km from Mathura, 268 km from Kanpur, 330 km from New Delhi, 334 km from Lucknow, 346 km from Jaipur, 448 km from Bhopal and 459 km from Allahabad, Gwalior is a historical city situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the important tourist places near Agra and also one of the top tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh.

One of the most beautiful cities of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior is very famous for its glorious history and rich cultural heritage. After being founded by Maharaja Suraj Sen in 8th century AD, Gwalior Fort was described as the pearl amongst fortresses in India. The city and its fortress have been ruled by several historic northern Indian kingdoms. From the Tomars in the 13th century, it was passed on to the Mughal Empire, then to the Maratha in 1754, followed by the Scindias in 18th century AD.

Well-known for its ancient temples, marvelous palaces and alluring monuments, Gwalior is the tourist capital of Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior is best known for being the birthplace of the great musician, Tansen. And apart from all this, Gwalior was also one among the five princely states that got the honor of 21 gun salute during the British rule. Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Mahal, Teli ka Mandir, Sun Temple, Gujari Mahal, Sas Bahu Temple, Man Mandir Palace are some of the popular places to visit in Gwalior. Gwalior ...

Distance from Bhopal: 448 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 24 km from Sanchi, and 44 km from Bhopal Junction, Raisen Fort is a historical edifice located in the town of Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. Situated atop a hill, it is one of the ancient forts in Madhya Pradesh, and among the popular places to visit near Bhopal.

Built-in 11th Century AD, Raisen Fort was an important center of administration from the period of its foundation from Hindu times. In the 15th century CE, this fort was ruled by the Sultans of Mandu, from whom it passed to the Rajputs. In 1543, Shershah Suri captured th fort from Puranmal. In Akbar's time, Raisen was the headquarter of a Sarkar in the Subah of Ujjain in Malwa. Fiaz Mohammad Khan, the third Nawab of Bhopal State occupied the fort in about 1760, later got himself recognized as Faujdar of Raisen by Emperor Alamgir II. Now, this fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Raisen Fort is spread over ten sq. km on a hill of more than 1500 high. The fort has a massive stone wall pierced with nine gateways. Adorned with a large courtyard and a beautiful pool in the middle, the Raisen Fort has four palaces namely Badal Mahal, Rohini Mahal, Itradaan Mahal & Hawa Mahal within its boundaries. The ancient fort also houses a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and a shrine dedicated to Muslim saint Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba. The doors of the temple open every year on the occasion of Shivratri. The fort also had ...

Distance from Bhopal: 44 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 35 km from Gwalior Junction and 28 km from Morena, Bateshwar Temples are a group of historical temples situated in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. Bateshwar is one of best heritage place in Madhya Pradesh and also one of the prominent places to visit in Gwalior. It is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.

Bateshwar complex is home to about 200 sandstone temples. Spread over an area of 25 acres in the ravines of Chambal, Bateshwar Temples were constructed during 8th to 11th century CE by the Kings of Gurjara - Pratihara dynasty. Most temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva while some are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple complex was ruined due to the earthquake in the area.

The Archaeological Survey has begun the restoration work in 2005. More than 100 temples have been restored till now. Bateshwar Temple Complex is wonderful with its stone architectures, intricate sculptures and overall design shows their passion towards art. It is more amazing to see so many temples spread in one place.

Padhavali temple is another historical temple situated about 2 km from famous Bateshwar temple complex. Located inside an old fort, this magnificent temple is known purely for its classic architecture and exquisite stonework. The temple, particularly its roof, depicts ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Ram Leela, Krishna Leela, marriage of Lord Shiva, samudra manthan ...

Distance from Bhopal: 475 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 8 km from Maheshwar Bus Station, Mandleshwar is a town and Nagar panchayat in the Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the Narmada River, it is one of the popular heritage places in Madhya Pradesh, and among the top places to visit near Indore.

Mandleshwar is a 'Pavitra Nagri' as termed by the government of Madhya Pradesh, as it is an ancient town. It is the education center as well as the political center of Maheshwar block, the location of the district court and district jail of Khargone. The 8th-century philosopher Mandana Misra reportedly lived in the town and debated with Aadya Guru Shankaracharya at the Gupteshwar Mahadev Temple. Mandleshwar was the headquarters for the Nimar Agency and cantonment from 1819 to 1864.

The town is well-known for its temples, fort complex, and bathing Ghats. The temples and fort of Mandleshwar have a remarkable charm due to the grandeur of its wonderful architecture that attracts many tourists. Shree Gupteshwar Mahadev Mandir, Chhappan-Dev, Shree Ram Temple, Shree Datta Temple, Ganga-Zira, and Kaashi Vishweshwar Temple are the popular temples situated in Mandleshwar. Dhawal-kunda and Hathani (islands), Sahastradhara, and Ram Kund are other places of historical significance. A flight of 123 steps leads down to the river and expands into the Ram Ghat, where the Ram, Hanuman, Dattatraya, and Ratneshwar Temples are located.

Besides, ...

Distance from Bhopal: 271 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 33 km from Panna and 65 km from Khajuraho, Ajaygarh Fort is an ancient fort situated at Ajaygarh in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh. Ajaygarh Fort is listed among the top attractions of the region.

Built at a height of 688 meters, Ajaigarh or Ajaygarh Fort stands on a flat-topped projection of Vindhya ranges. It was the capital of the Chandelas in their declining years. The fort is bordered by beautiful Vindhya Hills and provides absolutely stunning views of the Ken River. This grand fort is noted for its rich historical past and architectural beauty, which speaks volumes about the Chandela dynasty.

There is plenty to explore in the fort, which makes it a treat for history lovers. Ajaigarh Fort originally had five gates, but now only two gates are survived. There are two temples and two rock-cut tanks present inside the fort. These tanks have been named as Ganga and Yamuna. Close to it is a ruined Chandela temple, dedicated to Raja Parmardi deva. Three ruined Jain temples built in Khajuraho style have been traced here. The fort walls have been constructed with large, dressed, stones and no visible mortar.

One has to climb 500 steep steps to reach the fort entrance. There are no signboards, maps, info sources, human habitation at the top. It is not a well-developed place so one needs to carry water and food.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Distance from Bhopal: 418 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 58 km from Panna and 104 km from Khajuraho, Kalinjar Fort is a historical fort situated at Kalinjar in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the ancient forts in Madhya Pradesh and also one of the popular attraction not to miss in a Khajuraho tour Packages.

Kalinjar Fort is located on an isolated flat-topped hill in the Vindhya Range, with a height of 244 m above the plains. It is one of the eight famous forts built by Chandela kings. It served many ruling dynasties in the region, from Guptas to Solankis to the Chandela dynasty. Although many rulers fought fierce battles to win this fort, the Chandelas managed to control it for a long time. Mughal invader Babur was the only commander in history to have captured the fort in 1526 CE. It was also the place where Sher Shah Suri met his death in 1545 CE. Kalinjar played a prominent part in history down to the time of the Revolt of 1857, when it was held by a small British garrison.

Kalinjar Fort is a treasure trove for history lovers with its rich collection of monuments, temples and artefacts. The main body of the fort lies from east to west, oblong in form, being nearly a mile in length by half a mile in breadth. The fort has a height of 30-35 meter and 8 meter wide. Big sand stone and granite pieces are used to build the fort. The name of the fort was coined by using Kalinjar, which is related to the incident of Lord Shiva consuming the ...

Distance from Bhopal: 450 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 24 km from Maheshwar, Navdatoli is an archaeological site located in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the opposite side of the shores of River Narmada, it is one of the important places of heritage near Indore, and among the top places of sightseeing in Maheshwar.

Discovered in 1950, it is regarded as a pre-historic site, which used to be the home for the various cultures starting from the Paleolithic period till the 18th century. The third period of occupation has been dated between 1500 BC and 1200 BC. Artifacts such as painted pottery of a forgotten age as well as many microliths were found on this site during the excavation. The site was excavated between 1957 and 1959 over two seasons.

The ruins of the ancient houses found here were either rectangle in shape or circular of around 3 m in circumference. These houses had bamboo walls and the roof was made of mud. Most houses had a fireplace and a stone slab that was used for grinding and mashing grain. Pottery of varying styles including Malwa, Jorwe, Black and Red Ware, Cream-Slipped Ware, and Grey-Ware were also commonly found within the houses. Similarities between Navdatoli pottery and certain Iranian ceramics have led some to believe the area was colonized by immigrants from the Northwest. It is estimated that on average roughly 150 individuals lived in the village in its earliest stage. Evidence of domestic ...

Distance from Bhopal: 287 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 36 km from Mandu, and 65 km from Indore, Dhar Fort is a historical fort situated in the Dhar city of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the top heritage sites near Indore, and among the must-visit places as part of Mandu holiday packages.

Dhar is an important medieval town and the erstwhile capital of Malwa Kingdom ruled by the Parmar dynasty from 800 - 1327 AD. Raja Bhoj, the most illustrious of the Parmaras shifted his capital from Ujjain to Dhar, where he established a university for Sanskrit studies, known as the Bhoja Shala. During the time of King Bhojdev (1010-1055), this fort was known as Dhar Giri Lilodyan. When Alauddin Khalji ascended the throne of Delhi, Islamic influence began to spread in Dhar, as a result of which in 1305 Ainul Mulk Multani, the general of Alauddin Khalji, attacked Malwa and killed the Parmara ruler Mahalakdev and ended the Parmar dynasty. Captured later, he renovated the fort and completed the work of fortification. In 1346, Muhammad bin Tughlaq also stayed for some time in this fort while going to Devgiri.

The Pawar dynasty captured this fort in 1732 AD and used it as a royal palace. During the Maratha struggle, Raghunath Rao's wife Anandi Bai took shelter here, and she gave birth to Peshwa Bajirao II at this place. Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan, also took refuge in this fort during the war with Aurangzeb. During the Revolt of 1857, Dhar ...

Distance from Bhopal: 262 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 19 km from Chanderi, Budhi Chanderi is a historical site located at Nidanpur near Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the most popular places of heritage in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must-visit tourist places near Chanderi.

Situated on the right bank of the Urr River, Boodhi Chanderi was a large settlement of the Gurjara Pratiharas and possibly their capital. Earlier called Chandrapuri, it was first discovered in 1865 by Alexander Cunningham, the first director of the Archaeological Survey of India. Later, the German traveler Claus Boone also visited the place. The ASI Museum of Chanderi was associated with the place of Budhi Chanderi.

The site consists of the ruins of around 55 Jain temples, most of which are in ruins. The temples here are believed to have been built between the 9th - 11th centuries by the Pratihara kings. The architecture is similar to that of the Badoh Pathari Jain temple. Surprisingly, some of the structures possibly saw restoration during the Bundela period as some of the superstructures have features of the Bundela architectural style. One inscription, dated to the beginning of the 16th century, has been found carved on a sati pillar which mentions the name of the place as Nasirabad, after the ruler Nasiruddin Khilji. This implies that a small settlement might have existed even during the Muslim rule and it might not have been as abandoned as it is today.

The ASI has collected more than 2500 artifacts from Budhi ...

Distance from Bhopal: 238 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 21 km from Jabalpur, Chausath Yogini Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Bhedagaht near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near Dhuandhar Falls, it is one of the oldest heritage sites in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Jabalpur packages.

Mainly dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Chausath Yogini Temple was built in the 10th century by the Kalachuris kings and it still stands tall atop a hill, enticing tourists and devotees from different parts of India. As the name ('Chausath' meaning sixty-four) suggests, the temple has 64 shrines built along the walls of its circular premises, each containing a carved figure of a Yogini, and a central shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

The Kalachuri-built structure had only the Yoginis while the central shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati was built around two years later. According to the inscriptions, Queen Alhanadevi, the widowed wife of Kalachuri King Gayakarna built the Gauri-Shankara temple in 1155 CE during the rule of her son Narasimhadeva. However, in the later centuries, with the advent of Islamic rulers, like many other Hindu temples of India, the Chausath Yogini Temple also went through partial destruction and disfiguration of idols. However, the central shrine remains unblemished.

The architecture of the temple is simple and bears a similar ...

Distance from Bhopal: 300 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 27 km from Burhanpur, Asirgarh Fort is a historical fort situated at Asirgarh village near Burhanpur. Located on Asha Devi Road, it is one of the major places of heritage near Indore, and among the prime places to visit as part of Burhanpur packages.

Stands impregnable in the Satpura Ranges, Asirgarh Fort is said to have been built by a king named Asa Ahir in the early 15th century. He was murdered by Nasir Khan of Khandesh. Nasir Khan's descendant Miran Bahadur Khan (1596-1600) declared independence and refused to pay homage to Mughal emperor Akbar. Enraged, Akbar marched Burhanpur in 1599 and captured the entire city. He then also besieged the fort and captured it in 1601. The fortress was later held by the Marathas, and it was twice captured, in 1803 and 1819, by the British. This fort has been deserted following the departure of the British.

This is the fort where Mughal Emperor Jahangir imprisoned his eldest son, the rebellious Prince Khusraw after blinding him, and he was allegedly murdered by Prince Khurram, the third son of Emperor Jahangir. History came haunting back when Shah Jahan's beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal died here while giving birth to her fourteenth child. Mumtaz Mahal was first buried in Burhanpur, before ultimately finding a place to rest at the inimitable Taj Mahal. Asirgarh was also the seat of Emperor ...

Distance from Bhopal: 300 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 6 km from Asirgarh Fort, and 25 km from Burhanpur, Moti Mahal is an ancient structure located in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near Asirgarh Fort, it is one of the must-visit places as part of Burhanpur holiday packages.

Moti Mahal is located on the bank of Pondhari river to the south-east of village Moti Mahal. This beautiful two-storeyed monument was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Moti Begum. The architecture of the palace represents an amalgamation of Mughal-Rajput styles. The lower portion of the palace was made of stones while the second story was made of bricks and lime with a flight of steps to reach there.

There are four large rooms with balconies on the first floor of the building. Two huge domes on top of two rooms gave it the shape of a mahal. Chhajjas are built-in north-south portion on the second storey. There is a courtyard in the center with rooms built on both sides. One of the lawns has the grave of Shahjehan's lover Moti Begum. Due to environmental factors, many portions of the palace had been badly damaged especially wall plaster and flooring. To arrest further damage or deterioration the department took up a restoration drive. Moti Mahal can be visited along with Asirgarh fort and is located around 3.5 Km away from the highway on the other side of the Asirgarh fort.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 13 km from Burhanpur Railway Station, Ahukhana is an ancient monument located in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the banks of River Tapti, it is one of the best sightseeing places in Burhanpur.

The grandeur of the Taj Mahal and the love of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and empress Mumtaz Mahal are well-known throughout the world. This white marble mausoleum attracts seven to eight million people each year. However, barely any tourist knows that it is not the original place where the mortal remains of Mumtaz Mahal, the most beloved queen of Emperor Shah Jahan, were kept. History has it that towards the south-west of Agra, in the slow-paced town of Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, is located the original mausoleum of Mumtaz, the beloved wife of Shah Jahan.

During the Deccan campaign, Shah Jahan had shifted base from Delhi to Burhanpur. He settled down at the Shahi Quila close to the Tapti River in Burhanpur sometime in the late 1620s. The Ahukhana was built in the 16th century as a deer park for Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The garden sprawled over six miles, with two main structures, a small palace adorned with traceries, and a pillared pavilion known as the baradari. On the north, there is a tank in which a raised platform was constructed. The area is enclosed by a compound wall and a big garden.

As per the historians, on her deathbed, after giving birth to ...

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 30 km from Bhopal Junction, and 34 km from Bhimbetka, Bhojpur Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located at Bhojpur in Madhya Pradesh. Also known as Bhojeshwar Temple, it is one of the beautiful shrines located near Bhimbetka and among the popular places to visit as part of Bhopal Tour Packages.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Bhojeshwar Temple is an incomplete Hindu temple believed to have started in the 11th century CE, during the reign of the Paramara king Bhoja. The Jain writer Merutunga, in his Prabandha-Chintamani, states that Bhoja constructed 104 temples in his capital city of Dhara alone. However, the Bhojpur temple is the only surviving shrine that can be attributed to Bhoja with some certainty. The construction was abandoned for unknown reasons, with the architectural plans engraved on the surrounding rocks. The temple has been protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Bhojpur Mandir is a simple square with an outside portion of 66 feet. Although the temple is incomplete, it has a magnificent soaring strength of line and is supported by four pillars. The doorway is richly carved and, has two exquisitely sculpted figures on either side. The other three sides are balconies each supported by massive brackets and four intricately carved pillars.

Also known as the 'Somnath of North India', the Bhojpur Temple houses a 7.5 feet (2.3 m) high Shivalingam, carved out of a single rock. Set upon a massive platform of ...

Distance from Bhopal: 30 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 7 km from Vidisha, and 10 km from Sanchi Railway Station, Udayagiri Caves or Udaigiri Caves are a group of rock-cut caves located at Udaigiri village in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in India, and among the must include places in Sanchi Tour Packages.

Udayagiri, literally means the 'sunrise mountain', was a Buddhist and Hindu site by the 2nd century BCE. The place is also referred to as Visnupadagiri which means the hill at 'the feet of Vishnu'. The Udayagiri Caves are a group of 20 rock-cut caves near Vidisha from the early years of the 5th century CE. They contain some of the oldest surviving Hindu temples and iconography in India. Besides, these caves have rock-cut water tanks, and some have shrines and monuments on top.

Out of 20 caves, one is dedicated to Jainism, while others to Hinduism including Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Shaivism. The Jain Cave is notable for one of the oldest known Jaina inscriptions from 425 CE, while the Hindu caves feature inscriptions from 401 CE. Cave 1 is the southernmost cave which is also considered to be a false cave since the side and the front were added later on. There are four pillars and the back wall has a deity carved onto it. Cave 2 is located north of Cave 1 but is still in the southern group and has traces of two pilasters. And there is also evidence of a structural mandapa underneath its roof.

Cave 3, also known as Skanda Temple, is the first one of the ...

Distance from Bhopal: 57 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 11 km from Sanchi, Sonari is an archaeological site of an ancient monastic complex of Buddhist stupas in Madhya Pradesh. Positioned on a hill, it is one of the must include places in the Buddhist Circuit of Central India, and among the top places to visit near Sanchi.

Like Sanchi, Sonari is again a complex of Buddhist stupas comprising two large and five smaller stupas. The stupas were excavated around 1850 by Alexander Cunningham, who discovered two boxes containing relics. One of the reliquaries, which is very ornate, is visible nowadays at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The date of construction of Stupa 1 and Stupa 2 must therefore be equivalent to those of Sanchi Stupa No.2, i.e. 125-100 BCE. About 15 meters in diameter, Stupa No.1 is a solid hemisphere of dry masonry and is the largest stupa in the complex. It is made over a cylindrical plinth of about four feet high with fragments indicating traces of railings. The stupa contained a miniature soapstone reliquary.

Alexander Cunningham and FC Maisey searched Stupa No.2 in 1851. The stupa contained three miniature reliquaries, two in soapstone and one in rock crystal, as well as a certain amount of bone ash and a piece of wood. The main reliquary is shaped to resemble a lotus bud, with incised petals decorating the lower half of the reliquary. It was turned on a lathe and then carved in bas-relief. The reliquary of Stupa No.2 presents has inscriptions in Brahmi mentioning the ...

Distance from Bhopal: 40 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 14 km from Sanchi, Satdahara is an archaeological site of an ancient monastic complex of Buddhist stupas in Madhya Pradesh. Overlooking Halali River, it is one of the must include places in the Buddhist Circuit of Central India, and among the top places to visit near Sanchi.

As the Buddhist community flourished around Sanchi, new settlements of worshippers appeared in the region. Although these settlements had a physical and spiritual link to Sanchi, they also built their stupas and monasteries. There are four groups of stupas surrounding Sanchi within a radius of 20 km - Bhojpur and Andher to the southeast, Sonari to the southwest, and Satdhara in the west. Further south, about 100 km away, is Saru Maru.

There are 8 stupas spread across 28 acres of land on the banks of Halali River. The main stupa is almost as large as the Great Stupa of Sanchi and would have also been built during Emperor Ashoka's reign. The main Stupa of the site is similar to that of Sanchi having remains of railings. It is 13.65 m high excluding the platform with a diameter of 32.80 m. Recent excavations have revealed brick pradakshinapatha & staircase of the Stupa.

There are some ruins near the stupa comprising a monastery and temple remains which are collectively called siddh ka makaan which is indicative of Satdhara's most enlightened monks once having lived there.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free

Distance from Bhopal: 42 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 19 km from Sanchi, Murel Khurd is an archaeological site of an ancient monastic complex of Buddhist stupas in Madhya Pradesh. Also known as Bhojpur Stupas, it is one of the must include places in Buddhist Circuit in Madhya Pradesh, and among the top places to visit near Sanchi.

As the Buddhist community flourished around Sanchi, new settlements of worshippers appeared in the region. Although these settlements had a physical and spiritual link to Sanchi, they also built their own stupas and monasteries. There are four groups of stupas surrounding Sanchi within a radius of 20 km - Bhojpur / Murel Khurd and Andher to the southeast, Sonari to the southwest, and Satdhara in the west. Further south, about 100 km away, is Saru Maru.

The Bhojpur Stupas, also called Murelkhurd Stupas are a group of about 37 stupas located at Bhojpur (Pipalia) near Murelkhurd on the top of a hill. All these stupas were discovered in the 19th century by Major Cunningham. The biggest stupa at the site has a 2.3 m hemisphere. The center of the stupas was hollow to accommodate small relics, and the stupa would have been wearing an umbrella. These stupas probably date from the 1st century BCE.

The stupas have had adorned relic caskets with relics of Buddhist educators and senior disciples. One of the reliquaries is made of rock crystal and comes in the form of a Buddhist stupa. Rock crystal, a material of extreme purity, was often used to make containers for sacred relics. ...

Distance from Bhopal: 62 Kms

Historical & Heritage

At a distance of 13 km from Murel Khurd, and 30 km from Sanchi, Andher is an archaeological site of an ancient monastic complex of Buddhist stupas in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the must include places in Buddhist Circuit in Madhya Pradesh, and among the top places to visit near Sanchi.

As the Buddhist community flourished around Sanchi, new settlements of worshippers appeared in the region. Although these settlements had a physical and spiritual link to Sanchi, they also built their own stupas and monasteries. There are four groups of stupas surrounding Sanchi within a radius of 20 km - Bhojpur / Murel Khurd and Andher to the southeast, Sonari to the southwest, and Satdhara in the west. Further south, about 100 km away, is Saru Maru.

The Andher Stupas are a group of three stupas perched atop a hill near Karhod village in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, India. The site overlooks the magnificent Murel Khurd Stupas or Bhojpur Stupas. The Stupa No. 1 is dated to about 150 BCE and is the largest of the 3 stupas. This stupa has a railing that now has the remains of a barrier of stone surrounding it. Stupas No. 2 and No. 3 have inscriptions in the Brahmi script with the names of the same monks whose relics were found in Sanchi Stupa No. 2 and Sonari. Just like other Buddhist sites, stupas here also revealed the inscribed relic caskets but surprisingly all were empty.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free

Distance from Bhopal: 70 Kms

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