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With a mix of traditional splendour and modern opulence, Bhopal is a city that greets everyone with historical monuments and architecture within the city and outside its geographical limits.
Ujjain, an ancient city in the Malwa region of central India, is renowned for being one of the seven sacred cities which are called Sapta Puri of the Hindus. The city is also famous for hosting the Kumbh Mela and is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve shrines of Lord Shiva.
Perched on a secluded hill and located at a distance of 46 km from Bhopal, Sanchi, offers a cluster of chaityas, stupas and monasteries. The stupas is a place of historical and religious importance as Buddhists gather here during Buddha Purnima to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Lord Buddha.
13 km from Sanchi is Udaigiri, famous for its Hindu and Jain cave sanctuaries. Built during the reign of Chandragupta II, these ancient caves along with the Gupta temple give a glimpse into the Gupta artwork and architecture.
Pachmarhi, situated at an elevation of 1067 metres atop the Satpura Hills, is about 195 km away from Bhopal. The hill station offers a panoramic view of dense forests, jamun groves, deep ravines, waterfalls and canopies, and also houses cave shelters in the Mahadeo Hills that depict ancient rock paintings. Among the less explored places around the City of Lakes is Islamnagar. Located at a distance of 11 km from Bhopal, it is surrounded by gardens and presents a rich mix of Hindu and Islamic artwork and architecture in the form of Chaman Mahal and Rani Mahal.
Located around 18 km from Bhopal is Jhiri on the Kolar Dam road. A small village exhibiting the unique house structure of the Bheel tribes is a perfect picnic spot for tourists and an ideal destination for adventure sport lovers. Raisin Fort, situated atop a hill and located 23 km from Bhopal, boasts of a few temples, palaces, numerous wells and a large water reservoir. The Raisin Fort also exhibits many domes and is known for the shrine of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba.
Perched along the Vindhya ranges at an altitude of 2,000 feet, Mandu was the fort capital of the Parmar rulers of Malwa. Exhibiting exquisite palaces like the Hindola and the Jahaz Mahals, pavilions and baths, Mandu is an ideal spot to explore the architecture of the Malwa dynasty.
