Located in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh is the perfect blend of art and architecture, awe-inspiring shrines, picturesque beauty, rich history and many more. To simplify, right from nature and wildlife to heritage and spirituality, Madhya Pradesh holds an all-inclusive tourism package. Wildlife is a significant part of Madhya Pradesh tourism and the state houses popular national parks like Bandhavgarh National Park, Pench National Park, Kanha National Park, Satpura National Park, Panna National Park, Kuno National Park and a few more and these wildlife destinations record a considerable footfall of the tourists. Rudyard Kipling’s most popular novel ‘Jungle Book’, penned about the young protagonist Mowgli and his animal friends Baghira, Sher Khan and others, was inspired by the wilderness of Pench and Kanha National Park. Housing the highest population of tigers, ‘Tiger State’ is the sobriquet for Madhya Pradesh. Tiger spotting is comparatively frequent in the national parks of Madhya Pradesh in contrast to other states. An experience of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Tour must be included in the itinerary of the Madhya Pradesh tour.
Apart from the wildlife tour and the popular destinations, there are some other hidden gems that are proportionately less explored and are awaiting admiration.
1. Burhanpur
Burhanpur is a mid-sized historical city of Madhya Pradesh, settled on the banks of the Tapti River. It used to be an economic town during the Mughal Period and is also known as the Gateway to Deccan. Presently, in the city of Burhanpur, mosques, palaces and tombs contribute to the cultural heritage. Some of the popular tourist attractions include Jama Masjid, Asirgarh Fort, Shahi Qila, Zenana Hammam, Mahal Gulara, Ichhadevi Temple, etc.
2. Bhimbetka
The ancient caves and rock shelters are the prime attractions of Bhimbetka. There are around 243 rock shelters and they are beautifully adorned with medieval paintings. The colours of the paintings are extracted from natural sources and have been very tastefully painted. The unique and amazing rock shelters of Bhimbetka have a resemblance with the rock shelters of Australia’s Kakadu National Park and have earned the label of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other attractions include Bhojpur Temple, Turtle Rock, Boar Rock, Zoo Rock and Auditorium Rock Shelter.
3. Maheshwar
Formerly known as MAhismati, the quaint small town in Khargone district finds its mention in the epic of The Mahabharata and The Ramayana. Settled on the banks of Narmada, this lesser-known city of Maheshwar is the home to both tourist sightseeing and spiritual destination. Since the 5th century, Maheshwar has been the centre for weaving Maheshwari sarees. Chief attractions of Maheshwar include Ahilyabai Fort and Palace, Ahileshwar Temple, Narmada Ghat, Rajwada, etc.
4. Chanderi
Chanderi is a small town in the Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh and is indeed a hidden gem, untouched by regular exploration. The popularity of the place is primarily due to the love for the gorgeous Chanderi Silk Sarees. There are several places to visit in Chanderi, the treasure trove of history, culture, nature, handicrafts, religion, etc. some of the popular sightseeing spots at Chanderi are Chanderi Fort, Badal Mahal Gate, Johar Smarak, Baiju Bawra Memorial, Jama Masjid, Kati Darwaza, Handloom Park and many more.
