Madhya Pradesh is known for its natural beauty, magnificent temples, national parks and picturesque palaces. As Madhya Pradesh is located in the central part of the country, it is also called the ‘Heart of India’. Here are some of the best tourist attractions that you should not miss while exploring Madhya Pradesh.
1. Khajuraho Temples:
There are many beautifully carved Hindu and Jain temples in the Khajuraho town of Madhya Pradesh, thus a great place for architecture and history lovers. Khajuraho is also included in the list of Seven Wonders of India due to its erotic sculptures and fine art work. Adinath temple, Dulhadev temple, Lakshman temple, Parsvanath temple, the Devi Jagdamba temple and Kandariya Mahadev Temple are the most popular temples in Khajuraho.
Places to Visit nearby: Ranch Falls, Beni Sagar Dam, Panna National Park, Dhubela Museum, Kalinjar fort, Ajaygarh fort and Rajgarh Palace
2. Kanha National Park:
It is one of the most visited tourist places in the Madhya Pradesh. Kanha National Park is rich in flora and fauna and offer amazing experience during night safaris. It is believed that Kanha national park had inspired the world famous author Rudyard Kipling for writing ‘The Jungle Book’. The animals that can be easily spot are tigers, peacock, blackbuck and deer.
Places to visit nearby: Kanha Museum, Kawardha Palace and Bamni Dadar
3. Bhimbetka:
Located in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, Bhimbetka contains over 500 caves and rock shelters having numerous wall paintings dating back to Paleolithic and medieval age, thus an ideal destination for archaeologists. There are also many inscriptions reminding of Kushan, Sunga and Gupta periods.
Places to visit nearby: Bhopal, Hoshangabad and Bhojpur
4. Omkareshwar:
Omkareshwar is the place where one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Hindu God ‘Shiva’ is situated. Here you can find internal peace and relax your soul. Omkareshwar derived its name because of its topography resembling the symbol of Hinduism ‘Om’. This holy town also provides stunning landscape views to the visitors.
Places to visit nearby: Kedareshwar temple, Kajal Rani Cave, Omkareshwar temple, Siddhanath Temple and Mamleshwar Temple
5. Dhuandhar Waterfalls:
Located on Narmada river in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Dhuandhar waterfalls or Smoke Cascade attracts lots of tourists every year. It offers breathtaking views when water falls down from 30-meter high cliff. The best way to explore its beauty is through cable car service and boating.
Places to visit nearby: Marble rocks at Bhedaghat, Sangram Sagar Lake, Madan Mahal Fort, Rani Durgawati Museum and Chausat Yogini Temple
6. Sanchi Stupa:
The Great Stupa at Sanchi displaying oldest Buddhist relics is one of the most popular world heritage sites in the India. It was built by Emperor Ashok in 3rd century BC and often visited by Buddha followers. It is a great place for archaeology enthusiasts to explore Buddhist art and architecture.
Places to visit nearby: Udaigiri caves, Sanchi Museum, Ashoka Pillar, Toranas, Gupta Temple and Buddhist monasteries
7. Jahangir Mahal:
It is situated in Orchha town of Madhya Pradesh. As its name suggests, the palace was built in honor of Mughal king Jahangir. Splendid architecture and fabulous wall paintings are the highlights of the Jahangir Mahal. Tour guides are also available for the convenience of visitors.
Places to visit nearby: Lakshmi Narayan temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhansi Fort, Barua Sagar and Muniyara Cave