Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India has been a land of Kings and their palaces. The state has a rich heritage which has been passed on from one dynasty to the other over the centuries. Several such heritage sites mark the presence and culture of the historical era. Among these sites are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well. The numerous remains of the past monuments that are still intact will give you a glimpse of the Rajputs, Mughals, and other Kings who reigned the place. Here are some of the most important heritage sites in Madhya Pradesh that are highly valued and popular tourist places.
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters is a group of caves that are millions of years old and have seen human evolution. There are more than 700 caves with a majority of them having rock paintings depicting the human lives in each of their era. Though these were discovered in the 20th century, the caves have preserved their art very well. The caves are spread across 10 acres and are existing as groups. These rock shelters are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Khajuraho Temples
Khajuraho is famous for the group of temples, all built by the Chandel Rajputs in the 12th century. These temples are known for their erotic stone carvings. These monuments are enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These monuments were discovered in 1838 by T.S. Burt, a British Captain. The temples of Khajuraho are spread across 8 square miles and only 25 of them are still standing. These temples depict the lives of common people during their time.
Sanchi
Sanchi town is known for its Buddhist monuments and the Great Sanchi Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monuments in this town were built during the Mauryan Era by Emperor Ashoka, motivated by a girl named Devi- a Buddhist devout. These neglected monuments were discovered during the British era and received under the supervision of Sir John Marshall. The Sanchi Stupa is seen on the Indian currency note of INR 200, which shows the cultural importance of this place.
Raisen Fort
Built on a hill over 10 acres, Raisen Fort is one of the must-visit places in Bhopal. The fort has four palaces inside along with a temple for Lord Shiva and a shrine. Shivratri is an important occasion inside the fort. Raisen fort also has a well-established water management system with some 40 wells.
Gwalior
The historical city of Gwalior was established in the 8th century by Maharaja Suraj Sen. The Gwalior Fort was formidable and majestic. The city was ruled by several rulers including the Mughals and Marathas. The last ruling dynasty was the Scindias, who still hold a major portion. The Scindia School is inside the Gwalior Fort. The city is also known as the birthplace of the great musician Tansen. The city celebrates its biggest festival Tansen Music Festival in his honour in November-December. This will be a good time to visit Gwalior.
Orchha
The word Orchha means ‘hidden place’. This city is located on the banks of the Betwa River and was established by Rudra Pratap Singh, a Bundela King in the 16th century. He was also the first EMperor of the city. Shah Jahan conquered the city in 1738 and the Bundela King shifted their base to Tikamgarh. The Orchha Fort is the main attraction here. The major portions are Jahangir Mahal, raj Mahal, Chaturbhuj temple, Chhatris, etc. Jhansi is the nearest bus station to Orchha.
Chanderi
Chanderi is a small town surrounded by hills, lakes, and forests. It is close to Orchha and Jhansi. The town is known for the Chanderi Silk. The heritage of the town is connected to King Shishupal in Mahabharata. The town was under the rule of kings including Khilji, Tugluk, Rajputs, and Scindias. The forts, palaces and other historical monuments here make it one of the important heritage sites in Madhya Pradesh. You can easily reach here by bus from Gwalior and other cities in Madhya Pradesh.
Bateshwar Temples
Bateshwar Temples is an ancient temple in Morena near Gwalior. Located on the ravines of the Chambal River, these temples are spread over 25 acres. They were built from the 8th to the 12th century by the kings of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty and are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Many of these temples were destroyed by the earthquake. Most of them are now restored, but the project is still ongoing.
Bhopal
Bhopal city was earlier known as Bhojpal. The city is known as the City of Lakes due to the presence of two artificial lakes, Upper and Lower lakes. It is one of the greenest cities in India. There are several palaces and other historical monuments all around the city. It has been upgraded well with modern architecture, shopping malls, etc. Founded by Raja Bhoja, the city was later under Mughal rule. Subsequently, it ruled by different Begums who were phenomenal in the complete makeover of the city to its latest glory. Bhopal is also famous for Nawabi food and is a must-visit place for foodies.
Bagh Caves
Bagh Caves are a group of rock-cut caves on the Vindhya Ranges. They are located about 150 km from Indore. The caves are seen on the southern slope of the mountains. There are nine such caves and mural paintings as well. But unfortunately, only five of them survived. These caves were articulated on perpendicular sandstone in the 5th century, similar to the construction of the famous Ajanta Caves.
Conclusion
These are just a few heritage sites in Madhya Pradesh. With these various historical sites, Madhya Pradesh is a good option for a heritage tour. Many of these places are in the proximity of the major cities so reaching them will not be difficult. You can reach these cities by bus, train, or flight as convenient. Buses are easily available to most of these sites but some require you to take a cab.