Are you an avid traveller looking for some of the most famous historical places in Madhya Pradesh to visit? Madhya Pradesh has some of the most charming historical sites in India. Madhya Pradesh has everything from ancient temples and forts to grand palaces and monuments. So whether you are a history buff or just looking for a great historic holiday destination, Madhya Pradesh is the perfect place to visit.
Best Time to Visit Madhya Pradesh?:
The best time to visit popular historical places in Madhya Pradesh is between October to March. The state’s humid and warm climate makes you uncomfortable during the Summer and Monsoon seasons. Still thinking, what are those famous historical places in Madhya Pradesh?
Here are 20 of the most famous historical places to visit in Madhya Pradesh:
1. Bhimbetka Caves:
The Bhimbetka Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous historical places in Madhya Pradesh. The caves are home to some of the oldest paintings of human civilizations, still pristine. These paintings are at least 100,000 years old.
2. Udayagiri Caves:
The Udayagiri Caves are Hindu and Jain’s caves built in the 5th century by the Gupta Dynasty. The caves are home to some of the finest and most intricate rock sculptures ever created and still surviving. It is one of the most popular historical places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
3. Khajuraho Temples:
The Khajuraho Temples and monuments are primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. These stone-carved monuments were started to be etched in 885 CE, and the last cave was cured in 1125 CE. It is one of the most famous historical places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
4. Bagh Caves:
Built between the 5th and 7th century CE the Bagh Caves are of equal importance and stature to the Ajanta Caves. A copper inscription by Maharaja Subandhu of the Mahishmati Kingdom in 416-17 CE tells significantly about the Kingdom and its rules. Later due to the rise of Buddhism, the caves were abandoned and reused as the final resting places of monks. Hence, it is one of the most famous historical places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
5. Pachmarhi Temple and Caves:
Pachmarhi is generally known as a hill station in Madhya Pradesh and is home to several beautiful waterfalls. But the city is also home to the beautiful Jata Shankar Shiva Temple and Pandava Caves, where it is believed that the Pandavas from Mahabharata took shelter here.
6. Navdatoli:
Discovered in the 1950s on the confluence of the Narmada River, Navdatoli is a historical site where artefacts from 1500-1200 BC to the 2nd century CE were excavated by Archeologists.
7. Sanchi Stupa:
The Sanchi Stupa is one of the largest surviving Buddhist monument complexes developed by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. It is an important monument for Buddhist devotees and a great place to visit to get an insight into the history of Buddhist culture. It is one of the most famous historical places in Madhya Pradesh.
8. Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple:
Ujjain has an important pilgrimage centre in Madhya Pradesh, the Mahakaleshwar Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. With the recent inauguration of the Mahakaleshwar Corridor, it has become easier to explore the temple complex. It is one of the most visited pilgrims and popular historical places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
9. Omkareshwar Temple:
Omkareshwar is a small temple town in Madhya Pradesh and home to the beautiful Omkareshwar Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple dates back to the Ramayana Yuga or at least 7,000 years.
10. Maheshwar:
Maheshwar is a small town in Madhya Pradesh and home to the beautiful Ahilya Fort. In recent studies, archaeologists believe it is the fabled city of Mahishmati. The Ahilya Fort was built in the 18th century by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar and is a great place to explore.
11. Bhojeshwar Temple:
Developed by the Paramara Dynasty during the 11th century, the Bhojeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The 115 feet tall temple is home to some of the most delicate carvings and sculptures you can ever see. It is one of the most famous historical places in Madhya Pradesh.
12. Chanderi Fort:
Chanderi is a small town in Madhya Pradesh, home to several ancient monuments. The city is also home to the beautiful Chanderi Fort, built in the 11th century. Chanderi used to be an epicentre of Jainism and Jain culture. Shri Choubeesee Bara Mandir, Shri Parasnath Digamber Jain Purana mandir Jain temple, and Shri Khandargiri Jain temple are examples of India’s glorious past.
13. Orchha Fort Complex:
Orchha is a small town in Madhya Pradesh and home to the beautiful Orchha Fort Complex. It was built by the Bundelas in the 16th century and is a critical state monument. The fort complex comprises Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, and Phool Bagh. Visiting the Orchha Fort Complex is like stepping back in time and immersing yourself in the rich culture and heritage of the region.
14. Gwalior Fort:
Gwalior Fort is one of the most impressive forts in India. Raja Man Singh Tomar built it in the 6th century during the Hun attacks. Then the fort was constructed continuously and rebuilt over centuries. It is home to several temples and monuments dating back 1500 years. The defence is surrounded by high walls and is a great place to explore. It is one of the most famous historical places in Madhya Pradesh.
15. Jahaz Mahal of Mandu:
Mandu is an ancient city in Madhya Pradesh and home to the beautiful Jahaz Mahal. Although the main palace was built in the 15th century, the primary buildings were developed during the 6th. They gained prominence during the reign of the Paramaras in the 10th and 11th centuries. It is a great place to visit to get an insight into the region’s architecture. It is a popular historic place to stay in Madhya Pradesh.
16. Ahilya Fort of Maheshwar:
Maheshwar is a small town in Madhya Pradesh and home to the beautiful Ahilya Fort. In recent studies, archaeologists believe it is the fabled city of Mahishmati. The Ahilya Fort was built in the 18th century by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar and is a great place to explore. It is one of the most popular historical places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
17. Taj-ul-Masjid of Bhopal:
Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and is home to several Mughal monuments and ancient Hindu and Jain temples. But in recent times, the main attraction of Bhopal is the beautiful Taj-ul-Masjid. It is India’s largest mosque. The Regional Museum of Natural History of Bhopal collectively holds the entire history of the whole region.
18. Holker Palaces of Indore:
Indore is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh, home to several monuments and palaces. The top three are the beautiful Rajwada Palace, Lalbagh Palace, and Shiv Vilas Palace, built in the 18th and 19th centuries by the Holkars. It is one of the most famous historical places in Madhya Pradesh, and thousands of people from all over the world come here every year.
19. Adigarh Fort of Burhanpur:
Rashtrakutas, Marathas, Mughals, and Sikh Dynasties over the centuries ruled the city of Burhanpur. All of them have left their significant marks in the form of monuments. Recently, Adigarh Fort has become one of the famous historical places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Apart from it, the Dargah-E-Hakimi and Shahi Qila are the highest tourist pullers in the city.
20. Madan Mahal Fort if Jabalpur:
Jabalpur is often not recognized as a historical city, but it is praised as an essential junction to reach several National Forests of Madhya Pradesh. But the strategically built 11th-century Madan Mahal Fort associated with the brave queen Durgavati has become one of the most famous historical places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
Final Words:
Madhya Pradesh has a wealth of historical places to explore, and visiting these popular sites is a great way to learn about the culture and heritage of the region as well as ancient India. So, whether you are a history buff or just looking for a great holiday destination close to our country’s historical monuments, Madhya Pradesh is the perfect place to visit. And if you’re looking for a convenient way to get around, redBus is the ideal bus booking platform. With a wide range of buses and cabs to choose from, RedBus makes it easy to get around Madhya Pradesh as our buses connect every city in the state. So, what are you waiting for?
Plan your trip to visit all the famous historical places of Madhya Pradesh and explore the state’s rich history and culture.