places to visit madhya pradesh Archives

Visit Bhopal and Witness the Magnificence of its Museums

Museums are an interesting place to visit for many travellers. Whenever one visits any domestic or international destination, museums always top the bucket list. If one is a history lover, he or she can go back to the past eras and revisit them. The only available way to do so is to immediately visit a museum of the city. Museums are important as they collect, conserve and exhibit items of artistic, cultural and scientific significance for the education of the public by throwing light on the significance of the past events, personalities, culture and customs of the respective geographical area. Visiting a museum is always a great idea to have a brush with the past.

Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh is popular for its numerous museums. Recently TripAdvisor revealed the winners of its 2018 Traveler’s Choice Awards for museums that were based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for museum worldwide for the past 1 year.

Let us look at the specialty of these museums in Bhopal:

1. Yodhasthal- Amidst the natural beauty lies this beautiful army themed museum. It is an Indian Army dedicated museum to commemorate the lost lives of the soldiers and the war scenarios. There are all sorts of machines and guns which are kept in separate six sections that comprise Preksha Grah, Parichay, Avishkar, Astra Shatra, Alpahar and Swagat Kaksh. This place is a must-visit to explore the finery of the Indian Army and to know about the machines that were used in the wars.

2. Birla Museum- This Museum houses a small but selective display of fine stone sculpture, with explanatory panels in English in the main galleries, most of them are seventh to twelveth century statues. The sculptures show Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti. Especially impressive is the Varaha Avatar in the Vishnu Gallery which has good works showing Lord Vishnu and his avatars while the Devi gallery has various goddesses including a superb Chamunda, finely carved voluptuous apsaras, and fertility figures and the Shiva Gallery contains some beautifully carved reliefs of Uma-Maheshwar on Mount Kailash. It also has a good selection of archaeological finds from excavations.

3. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya(National Museum of Humankind)- This museum showcase the evolution of man and culture with special emphasis on India. The museum is divided into three permanent exhibitions- open-exhibitions, indoor galleries, and periodical/temporary exhibitions. Other exhibitions are also present like Online exhibitions, travelling exhibitions, Special exhibitions, and Ongoing exhibitions.

4. State Museum of Madhya Pradesh- This museum is of great interest as it contains excellent art pieces and rare antiquities. Altogether, there are seventeen galleries in this building that comprises of a thematic gallery, pre-history and fossils, excavated materials, metal images, inscriptions, sculptures, rare musical instruments and many more.

5. Bhopal’s Tribal Museum- What is the most attractive feature of this museum is its well-planned and themed galleries where every visitor is able to connect through motifs and artefacts that represent the tribal lifestyle. The museum has an unconventional appeal because of the way it celebrates the ways of life practices by seven major tribes in the state through their crafts-Gond, Bhil, Korku, Baiga, Sahariya, Kol and Bhariya. This museum is literally a home that is well preserving the state’s rich art and culture bestowed in various tribes. The folklores, lifestyle, rituals and social customs of all seven indigenous tribes of MP are showcased in the museum through a repository of traditional art.

Conclusion- With such an amazing display of fine arts, army essentials, culture and heritage, Bhopal’s museums are definitely worth the visit.

5 Reasons that Make Madhya Pradesh a Must-Visit Place

Madhya Pradesh is also known as the second largest state in India. Popularly, it is also called “The Heart of Incredible India” due to its geographical location. The state abundantly thrives in the tourism sector, with people from diverse cultures & countries, visiting the state all throughout the year. The state is blessed with a … Continue reading “5 Reasons that Make Madhya Pradesh a Must-Visit Place”

Madhya Pradesh is also known as the second largest state in India. Popularly, it is also called “The Heart of Incredible India” due to its geographical location. The state abundantly thrives in the tourism sector, with people from diverse cultures & countries, visiting the state all throughout the year. The state is blessed with a plethora of flora & fauna as well as a rich history that is expressed in terms of historical monuments & architecture. The tourists are exposed to wildlife, heritage, spiritual & also leisure dimensions.

On visiting Madhya Pradesh, you can feel your adrenaline rushing at the moment when the tiger comes & stands in front of you when you are on a wild safari trip or you can sense the panic when you hear the alarm calls of spotted deer & monkeys. On the other hand, you can relive the glorious past when you witness the glory & magnificence of Khajuraho & Orchha & there many more reasons to plan for a trip to this beautiful state by selecting the appropriate Madhya Pradesh tourism packages.

Let us look into some of the popular reasons why Madhya Pradesh is a must-visit state in India:

1. A land of tigers- Madhya Pradesh is undoubtedly known for its numerous national parks that house all kinds of endangered species, starting from tigers. If you plan for a safari trip in the Satpura Tiger Reserve, you can see these mighty creatures in abundance, roaming here & there. Here you can find more than 40 tigers but unfortunately, not always can you see them. The Tigers come out into the open mostly during the summer months when they love to stay in close contact with water. Tiger sighting is definitely the number one reason to visit the state.

2. Rich in natural beauty- Madhya Pradesh has many natural attractions that are simply spectacular. The Pachmarhi reserve is listed as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, only because of its rich flora & fauna. After Panchmarhi, there are the Rajat Prapat waterfalls that are also known as one of the highest waterfalls in India. From Dhoopgarh, you can view the surrounding Satpura & Maikal ranges that will surely be a treat for your eyes; and last but not the least, the sunrise at Madhai, is simply amazing. You can see the sun rising above the forest & painting the sky with bright colours gradually.

3. The sculptures of Khajuraho- In Khajuraho, this group of temples that were built during the Chandela dynasty is bound to make you appreciate the fantastic sculpture work. This place is also called the epitome of Indian art, it consists of 22 temples made up of intricate carvings & fine erotic sculpture art. The temples are further categorised into western, southern & eastern groups. Popular tourist attractions over here include Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Lakshman Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Parsvanath Temple & many more.

4. Orchha- If there is anything that can enhance the beauty of Madhya Pradesh, it is Orchha, a royal town in the state. It is a miniature & beautiful town with intricate structures & reminds of the Bundela era. The town is also far away from the hubbub of the city as it is less populated. Some of the popular tourist attractions here are Orchha Fort, Jahangir Mahal, Chaturbhuj Temple, Raja Ram Temple, Raja Mahal & many more.

5. Kanha National Park- One of the major tourist attractions, this wildlife reserve houses rich flora & fauna. It mainly preserves Barasingas(Swamp Deer) from becoming extinct. Also, you can frequently sight tigers, Black bucks & peacocks.

Conclusion- Visiting Madhya Pradesh is surely a dream come true for any individual & truly defines India as the land of wonders.

Revisit The Spiritual Past That Khajuraho Has To Offer

Khajuraho, recognised far and wide as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a land where art merges with history seamlessly. Located in the Chhatarpur district, the place has been the home of Chandela Rajput kings who are instrumental in building a total of 85 temples of breathtaking beauty around a thousand years ago. The Heart … Continue reading “Revisit The Spiritual Past That Khajuraho Has To Offer”

The Heart of Incredible India has much to offer in terms of vast stretches of lush green grasslands which make for a safe haven for the wildlife, historical sites that are sure to take you back to a revered past, temple towns and much more. There indeed is a colourful vibrancy in the air of the state of Madhya Pradesh that makes it all the more endearing for travellers from all over the world.

Khajuraho is one such offering of MP that display the grandeur of glorious centuries along with the necessities of the modern period. The intricately carved and brilliantly constructed temples that have stood the ravages of time are a testament to the incredible craftsmanship. The temples are a backdrop to the beautiful carvings and are the reasons that attract a multitude of travellers. These temples are segregated into three wings, the Eastern, Western and Southern, of which the western group stands out the most.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Built in the years 1025 and 1050, it is the largest amongst the Western group of temples. With 872 statues, each a metre high, this Shiva Temple presents the perfect picture of grandiose.

Devi Jagadambe Temple

Located north of the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The intricate designs of the erotic carvings and paintings are a sight to behold for globe trotters.

Chaunsat Yogini

Surrounded by an open courtyard along the banks of Shivsagar Lake, the granite temple houses the 64 manifestations of the Mother Goddess.

Chitragupta Temple

The temple is a place for offering prayers to the Sun God and Lord Vishnu. The pieces of work that stand out apart from the carvings depicting dances and hunts are the ten-headed Vishu idol and a huge chariot of the Sun God.

The Light And Sound Show

Another popular tourist attraction of Khajuraho is undeniably The Light And Sound Show. The show is amongst one of the many efforts taken by Madhya Pradesh tourism to promote the legendary tales of the royal dynasty that the lands were once a home to. The show which is a spectacle of light and sound, spans 55 minutes and takes place every day on the gardens of the Western Wing. What makes this show about the historical instances of the state’s past and the events that led to the construction of the temples, the most sought after amongst the tourists is the narrator of the show, veteran actor, Amitabh Bachhan.

Places To Visit Near Khajuraho

Orchha

While you are on your way to the hallowed town of Khajuraho, do stop by and pay a visit to Orchha. The place too has its share of exquisite temples and monuments, among which the Phool Bagh, Raj Mahal, Chhatris (cenotaphs), Raj Parveen Mahal, Dinman Hardaul’s Palace are some of the most eminent sites that demand a visit.

Panna And Bandhavgarh National Park

There is no dearth of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in and around Madhya Pradesh. One of the reasons that the Madhya Pradesh tourism is such a booming industry is due to the abundance of these reserves. These provide for a safe and sustainable environments for tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer, Asiatic jackals, numerous species of birds to roam around freely. Appoint a day to spend amongst the creatures of Nature and from the safe confines of a Safari Jeep.

Reach The Place With Considerable Ease

Khajuraho is well connected and can be reached with ease no matter the mode of transport. The Khajuraho Airport is nearly a couple kilometres away from the main city square and is well connected to all the metropolitan cities. The nearest railway stations are Jhansi and Satna while it can also be reached by road from Jhansi, Orchha, Jabalpur, Panna And Satna.

The trains that can be availed are Khajuraho-Kanpur Passenger, Khajuraho-Jhansi Passenger, Khajuraho-Udaipur Passenger, Khajuraho-Bhopal Passenger, Khajuraho-Mahoba Passenger amongst the many others.

Jet Airways and Air India are amongst the popular airlines that provide flights at frequent intervals to reach Khajuraho and these are HJR-AGR(Agra), HJR-AMD(Ahmedabad), HJR-LKO(Lucknow), HJR-VNS(Varanasi), HJR-DEL(Delhi).

Inspired to get moving? Get flight, train and bus tickets, hotel bookings and a tailor made travel itinerary along with pick-ups and drop-offs through the exclusive services provided by i4uTravels.

Come, have yourself a trip of a lifetime.

An Overview Into The Exclusive Escapades Of Jal Mahotsav

Spent blissful, luxurious times creating havocs at water parks? Or are you more into admiring the forces of water from afar, cocooned within the comforts of canopied boats? Whatever might be your preference, the thrill of Jal Mahotsav is sure to get to you. Initiated during the month of February in the year 2016, Jal … Continue reading “An Overview Into The Exclusive Escapades Of Jal Mahotsav”

Initiated during the month of February in the year 2016, Jal Mahostsav has become quite a phenomenon. Jal Mahotsav, started as Honourable Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s vision who aimed to establish Madhya Pradesh as the epicentre of the biggest water sports carnival the country has ever seen. Spanning days, the festival is every adventure enthusiast’s dream come true. Needless to mention, “Jal Mahotsav” was felicitated with the “Most Innovative and Unique Tourism Award” in the recently concluded National Tourism Awards 2015 – 2016.

The stage has been set to welcome the festival back this year on the 15^th of October which would be culminating on the 2^nd of January of the coming year. It is estimated that the second year would garner a higher footfall from every parts of the country as well as would see a greater presence of the global clientele. The festival is largely appreciated and backed by the government of Madhya Pradesh as it is an endeavour to promote the thrilling activities that the heart of India has to offer.

The central state of India is renowned for its national parks that offer a safe abode for some of the most exotic species of flora and fauna. Jungle safari rides, resorts amidst the lush forests, historical sites that are sure to transport the visitors to a glorious era of the past, spiritual rejuvenation or sites which offer utter tranquillity, there is no dearth of places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Travellers from all over the world make a beeline for the state to revel in the colourful brilliance that the place has to offer. Jal Mahotsav upholds the cultural melting pot that is Madhya Pradesh through its various enthralling events and attempts to bring people together under a single roof.

MP Tourism is sure to scale newer heights through this innovative venture that not only promotes business all around but also provides ample opportunities to showcase the expansive beauty of the place. Travel packages are exclusively designed for travellers to partake in the adventure. These packages offer a safe, hassle-free and a cost effective way to enjoy the festival to the fullest.

Convinced already? Well, take a look below and see which of the following activities will surely seal the deal for you:

Island Camping

Yes, you read that right. The festival offers opportunities for you to literally spend your days amidst the bountiful nature. Sprawled under the vast, starry sky with only a thin tent roof acting as a barrier, feel yourself be one with nature. These tents though not as luxurious as the suites you are used to, are sure to provide a novel experience without compromising on any of the basic comforts.

Air Activities

In addition to river rafting, boating, dining on mini cruises and speeding through the waters on speed boats, Jal Mahotsav also offers the opportunities to soar through the skies. Hot air balloons and paragliding are amongst the hottest sports at every sporting venue and Jal Mahotsav is no different. Indulge in a sudden adrenaline rush by strapping on your harness and explore the world from a bird’s eye view.

Health Centres

Amidst all that Jal Mahotsav has to offer, health and spa centres too draw a fair amount of loyalists who swear by their health. After a hectic day embroiled in activities that test your nerves and stamina a restful massage, aromatherapy and even yoga sessions are a welcome treat. Steal a few moments and reinvigorate yourself in anticipation for the next few days.

Craft Market

Get a glimpse of the exclusive craftsmanship that is one of the highlights of MP tourism and be assured to be swept by the sheer creativity and innovations of the artisans. From clothes, accessories, paintings, artefacts to decorate your homes with, the place promises to bedazzle with its quality products. The craft markets are organised to pay a tribute to the spirit of the artists from the districts of Madhya Pradesh. Do visit. You sure won’t be able to return empty-handed.

Food

Food is undoubtedly one of the most sought after attractions at the venue. With a plethora of options displayed at every nook and corner representing the multitude of cuisines that MP has to offer, travellers would be hard pressed to try only some of them. The food items presented at the festival is also a conglomeration celebrating the predominant reign of the Mughals, the Rajputs as well as that of the contemporary times.

i4u Travels offer exclusively customised packages that incorporate your needs and requirements guaranteeing you with some of the most memorable experiences.

The land of Madhya Pradesh is what travellers dream of far off places to look like. Step foot in the place for this magnificent festival and witness the rich heritage unfold.

International Tiger Day, Significance & An Invite To Celebrate This Exciting Affair In The Tiger Reserves of Madhya Pradesh

International Tiger Day is an annual extravaganza to raise awareness for tiger conservation as well as its implications. This is held on the 29th of July each year as was decided in 2010 at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit. The first & foremost query to be addressed is why so much hype on Tigers & … Continue reading “International Tiger Day, Significance & An Invite To Celebrate This Exciting Affair In The Tiger Reserves of Madhya Pradesh”

The first & foremost query to be addressed is why so much hype on Tigers & its conservation.

In 1900, approximately 100,000 tigers were estimated to be living in the wild.

In the last 100 years,Tigers were almost on the brink of extinction as we lost more than 97% of them due to habitat loss, poaching as well as other reasons.

Out of the 3891 tigers worldwide, India is home to 2,226 wild tigers which is ⅔ of the world population followed by Russia & Indonasia.

Apart from the aesthetic beauty of the species itself, there are very crucial social economic reasons too demanding its active & responsible conservation.

A Tiger reserve is just not earmarked for the Tiger itself. They house many other animals such as the elephant, rhino, langur, barasingha, mongoose, river dolphin, olive ridley turtle, crocodile — not to speak of the millions of herbs, plants and trees.
Tigers are what conservationists scientifically term as the “UMBRELLA” species. By attempting to conserve them, we save everything beneath their ecological umbrella – everything connected to them – including the world’s last great forests, whose carbon storage mitigates climate changes.

For the benefit of the commercially inclined, a tiger reserve offers the following :

Employment
Generation Agriculture (incidentally the famous IR-8 rice was discovered from the wild rice plants found in one such reserve)
Fishing fuel Wood
Fodder and Grazing
Timber
Pollination of Plants
Tendu Leaves
Carbon Storage and Sequestration (vital for climate protection against global warming)
Water and its Purification by Filtering Organic Wastes
Soil Conservation
Nutrient Cycling and moderation of Extreme events such as Cyclone Storms, Flash Floods.
The other important verticals are cultural ones like tourism, education, research and development, and spiritual ones (like visiting temples within some of them).
There was a recent article where Tigers were compared with Mangalyan ( India’s Mars Orbiter Mission ). The comparison may seem to be very bizarre but the new bio-economic analysis threw up interesting statistics, stating saving two big cats gives more value than the cost of India’s much-hyped maiden mission to Mars. The one-of-its kind analysis by a group of Indo-Australian team of scientists had published a paper titled ‘Making the hidden visible: Economic valuation of tiger reserves in India‘ in the journal Ecosystem Services. The team analysed the economic benefits accruing to the country from 6 Tiger reserves namely Corbett, Kanha, Kaziranga, Periyar, Ranthambore & Sundarbans. It says saving two tigers yields a capital benefit of about Rs 520 crore; in comparison ISRO’s maiden mission to mars Mangalyaan cost the country Rs 450 crore.According to the last estimate, India is home to 2,226 adult tigers which would mean a capital benefit of about Rs 5.7 lakh crore — almost equivalent to a third of the total currency that was demonetised by the government!

So conservationists say saving tigers makes a very good economic sense!

With only a few hundreds of tigers that still roam freely, the onus is on us to ensure that they continue to do so and also help in increasing their population to turn them into a thriving race yet again.

Madhya Pradesh, affectionately called as the “Tiger State of India” is abode to a significant population of India’s Tigers. Tourists & wildlife enthusiasts are drawn to Madhya Pradesh as it figures in the list of “Places to see Tigers in India”. With its expansive and dense forests and grasslands, the Heartland of India provides the perfect haven and sustenance for tigers. The state has also gained International acclaim when it was featured in the list of places from around the world that can be visited for tiger sightings.

A Trip to the National Parks of Madhya Pradesh Namely

Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna & Satpura will quench your thirst & portray a beautifully drawn picture of flora & fauna.

We at i4u Travels ensure that you can get your fill of tiger sighting leisurely, anytime of the year. Kanha National Park, Pench National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park are some of the more popular places that travelers keep on their radar while visiting Madhya Pradesh. Travel itineraries are designed enabling exclusive visits to the parks and the tour packages too allow a primary focus on these locations.

Bandhavgarh National Park with its dense flora provides an excellent atmosphere for tigers to reside. Spanning over an area of 446 sq kms, Bandhavgarh was awarded the status of a National Park in 1968. It is renowned for its high density of tigers and is frequented by tigers all the year round. The Park is divided into three zones (Magadhi, Tala, Khitauli) for tourists to experience the area in an enhanced manner.

Kanha National Park was officially known as a Tiger Reserve in the year 1973 and was ranked among the “Top 10 Famous Places For Tourists To Visit In India”. The area is vast and covers around 940 sq kms. Similar to Bandhavgarh Park, the area too is divided into four zones (Kanha, Kisli, Sarhi, Mukki) that allow visitors to take in the magnitude of the varieties of wildlife that have found a home in the dense deciduous forests.

Pench National Park, the final pit stop for Tiger Sighting was declared a sanctuary in 1977 and a national reserve in 1983. Though it comes later in the list of must-visit places to see tigers, it is an important place to travel to see the exclusive and nearly extinct Royal Bengal Tigers. The Park is divided into three zones (Touria, Karmajhiri, Jhamtara) and spans an area of 758 sq kms.

Safari Rides are one of the exciting ways to get around these parks and take in the exotic views that these parks have to offer. These can be pre booked and the services tailored to meet the specific demands of the clients and are the highlights of the entire trip.

i4u Travel Services is proud to be a part of TOFT – ( Travel Operators for Tigers ) and advocates & supports responsible tourism.

Come, visit Madhya Pradesh to celebrate this auspicious day and reward yourself with an experience of a lifetime amidst these mighty beasts.

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