10

Most Iconic Places in Madhya Pradesh

Gwalior Fort stands on a rocky hilltop which offers a panoramic view of the Gwalior town. The fort was built in 8th century by Prince Suraj Sen. The Mughal Emperor Babur referred it to as “the pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind.”

The fort embraces a defensive structure, strategic location and grandiose beauty due to which many rulers were attracted to this fort. Many dynasties like Mughals, the Marathas, and the British ruled this fort and their influence can be seen in many royal structures present here.

The unique and rich heritage of this fort will surely astonish you. Also, every evening a Sound and Light show is held at the fort which takes you to a musical journey of the glorious past of the fort which you should not miss.

What makes it Iconic: The rich history and heritage of the fort, the monuments, temples, palaces, inscriptions, and unique archaeological museum make this fort one of the most iconic places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

Timings:  8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Note:  The Sound and Light show starts at 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM for Hindi and English show respectively.

What to see in Gwalior: Apart from Gwalior Fort, there are other iconic places to visit in Gwalior which you should not miss.

What to do in Gwalior: Best activities and things to do in Gwalior.

Looking for places to Stay in Gwalior: Best resorts and places to stay in Gwalior.

The Western Group of Temples houses the most significant temples present in Khajuraho. As you walk through the gate you will see the dewy freshly mowed green grass, flowering shrubs, and eye-catching trees framed with towering temples.

You can also hear the soothing sound of bells coming from the temples. These temples were built almost 1000 years ago with fine-grained pink or pale yellow sandstone and granite. The temples showcase unique architecture and erotic sculptures.

At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Surya, and Goddess Kali can be visited. The Sound and Light show is also organized here every evening which showcase the facts and history of the temples.

What makes it Iconic: Ancient temples that depict some of the finest art in the world.

Timings: From sunrise to sunset.

Note: The Sound and Light show starts from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

There are various other places to visit in Khajuraho which you should not miss. Click to know about them.

What to do in Khajuraho: Best activities and things to do in Khajuraho.

Sanchi is renowned for the Buddhist Stupas it houses. The Stupas of Sanchi were commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great of Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE. Ashoka wanted to preserve and spread the Buddhist philosophy.

Mahastupa is a hemispherical dome containing relics of the Buddha in the centre You can visit various stupas, monasteries, temples and an Ashokan pillar in Sanchi and get to know more about the rich cultural heritage of India.

What makes it Iconic: The Great Stupa or Mahastupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest structures present in India. It also enjoys the status of ‘World Heritage Site’ given by UNESCO.

Timings: From Sunrise to Sunset.

The medieval city of Orchha has many monuments that will make your visit to this place memorable for a lifetime. Orchha Fort Complex comprises of three major palaces -

Raj Mahal: Raj Mahal or King’s Palace is where the king and queen used to reside. The exterior of the palace is rather simple but the interior is grandeur and has impressive architecture. You will find vibrant murals with religious and social themes of gods, mythical animals and people. Traces of mirrors in the ceilings can be seen in the upper floor. A part of the palace was transformed to a temple named Raja Rama Temple dedicated to Lord Rama. Rama is worshipped as a king here which makes this a unique place to visit.

Sheesh Mahal: Sheesh Mahal was built for the royal accommodation of Raja Udait Singh, and has now been developed into a heritage hotel. It is a perfect amalgam of royal ambience and modern amenities. A stay experience here will certainly make you feel the royalty of this place.

Jahangir Mahal: Jahangir Mahal is a citadel built by Vir Singh Deo. It was built as a symbol of demonstrative reception of Jahangir who came to visit Orchha for one night only. It is a perfect blend of Mughal architecture with Rajput architecture. The Mahal faces the Betwa River and is a site to behold.

What makes it Iconic: Its unique blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.

Timings: From sunrise to sunsets.

Other then Orchha Fort, there are other very scenic places to visit in Orchha which you should not miss.

Patalpani waterfall is a picturesque 300 feet high waterfall surrounded by thriving forest, imposing hills and pleasing landscape. The water plunges on to the rocks and comes tumbling down from the heightened cliff.

The soothing sound of the gushing water will help you relax. The pit at the bottom of the waterfall is varnish clear. The legend has it that the pit goes as deep as the underworld (Patal) and that is why the name, Patalpani.

A visit to this iconic waterfall will leave you spellbound and is a must. 

What makes it Iconic: The scenic beauty of the waterfall makes it a perfect spot for nature photography and to enjoy a picnic.

Timings: Open 24 hours.

There are various other scenic waterfalls in Indore apart from Patalpani waterfall. Follow the link to know more.

Pachmarhi, also popularly known as ‘Satputra Ki Rani’ is positioned magnificently amidst Satpura Range. It is believed that the Pandavas came here during their exile. They built panch (five) marhi (caves) here, hence the name.

From scenic waterfalls, ancient caves, a temple to trekking trails, Pachmarhi has a lot to offer. Popular places to visit in Pachmarhi are Rajat Prapat waterfall, Bee Falls, Dhupgarh, Chauragarh and Handi Khoh. 

What makes it Iconic: Prominent religious sites, especially for Shiva devotees, ancient caves with 30,000 years old paintings and the picturesque beauty of this place make it one of the most iconic places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

Timings: Open 24 hours.

What to do in Pachmarhi: Best activities and things to do in Pachmarhi.

Upper Lake, also known as Bhojtal was built by Paramara Raja Bhoj. The legend says that he built it to cure his skin disease. This charming lake is the hub of water activities and you can enjoy plethoras of water sports like boat cruise, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boating and motor boating here.

Within the surrounding of the lake, a lush green garden called Kamla Park is also located which enhances the beauty of the lake. It also has a dargah of a maulvi named as Shah Ali Shah.

What makes it Iconic: It is the oldest manmade lake in India built in the 11th century.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Click here to know more about other water sports in Bhopal.

Taj-Ul-Masjid means “Crown among Mosques” and the glorious architecture and setup of the mosque signify the same. The construction of the masjid was started by Bhopal’s third female ruler Shah Jahan Begum in the 19th century and was later completed in 1985.

The mosque sits marvellously by the lake named the Motia Talab. The masjid stands tall with its pink facade and is crowned with two enormous white domed minarets.

The masjid has a striking main hall with gorgeous pillars, a courtyard with a tank in between, smooth marble flooring and three gigantic spherical domes. The architecture of the mosque is top notch.

What makes it Iconic: It is the largest mosque in India and the second largest mosque present in Asia.

Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Looking for places to visit in Bhopal? We have compiled a list of best tourist places in Bhopal. Click to know more.

What to do in Bhopal: Best activities and things to do in Bhopal.

Looking for places to Stay in Bhopal: Best resorts and places to stay in Bhopal.

Sirpur Lake is a heritage lake with gorgeous landscape, vibrant fauna and flora. It is a paradise for birding as it is home to more than 150 species of resident and migratory birds.

The lake and its surrounding is a protected area spread over 800 acres. The visit to this lake will surely make you feel closer to nature.

What makes it Iconic:  It is one of the biggest natural habitats for birds in India.

Bhojpur or Bhojeshwar Temple, popularly known as the Somnath of the East, is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was founded by Raja Bhoj (1010-53) of Parmar dynasty. It stands on the banks of River Betwa and is located atop a hill. The legend has it that the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata built this temple during their exile.

Some say that Kunti (mother of Pandava brothers) left Karan here on the bank of River Betwa. The construction of this temple was left incomplete for some unknown reasons. The exquisite temple has four enormous pillars which support the incomplete roof of the spectrum.

The temple’s façade, pillars and dome are adorned by numerous stone sculptures. Get drenched in the colours of spirituality while at this temple and enjoy its unique architecture.

What makes it Iconic: The temple houses the largest and tallest Shiva Linga with its Yoni Patta rising to a height of 22 feet. It is crafted out of a single rock which is astonishing. This temple is surely one of the most iconic places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

Timings: Open all days from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM except Monday.