10

Best Historical Places of Madhya Pradesh

Sanchi Stupa enjoys extraordinary fame as far as historical places in Madhya Pradesh are concerned. Calling this site ‘historical’ would be an understatement as its construction dates back to as far as the 2nd and 1st century BC.

If you are interested in learning about the earliest phases of Buddhism, this site would be your best bet as it features monasteries, temples, and palaces where intricate carvings exhibit the details of Lord Buddha’s life. The site also features a museum where some interesting artefacts are on display.

Fact about the place: Sanchi Stupa finds its name in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Timings: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Location: Sanchi Town, Raisen.

If you are on the trip to Madhya Pradesh, make your holiday experience worth remembering by opting for any of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism hotels that promises a comfortable stay experience at very reasonable rates.

Probably the most famous historical temples in the entirety of India, The Khajuraho Complex of Temples is a site you should not miss on your visit to Madhya Pradesh regardless of your area of interest.

The complex encompasses numerous Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist temples which enjoy an unparalleled fame owing to their erotic carvings and sculptures. Khajuraho group of temples is a prominent site from both historical and cultural angle. This site is listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites as it is truly one of its kind.

Fact about the place: The temples were built by Chandela Rajput Dynasty during the 9th and 10th centuries.

Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM.

Location: Khajuraho, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Living in a homestay in Madhya Pradesh with natural surroundings is one of the best ways to enjoy a refreshing holiday with your loved ones.

If you find hill forts fascinating, Gwalior Fort will give the history buff in you every reason to fall in love with this structure sitting atop a hill in Gwalior. The inscriptions, the monuments, and the architecture of the fort – each boasts an unprecedented diligence and charm.

A visit to the fort will take you back in time when this culturally rich city was ruled by Tomars. Though there isn’t any concrete evidence as to when exactly the construction of the fort began, it is estimated that it was built around the 9th century.

This impenetrable fort is definitely one of the best historical places in Madhya Pradesh.

Fact about the Place: The fort encompasses various palaces, namely Jahangir Mahal, Shah Jahan Mahal, Man Mandir Palace, the Gujari Mahal, and Karan Mahal.

Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM.

Your journey to explore the heritage sites in Madhya Pradesh is incomplete without a visit to this grand mosque in the capital city, Bhopal.

Taj-Ul-Masajid which literally translates to “Crown Among Mosques” is the largest mosque in India, and is among the most prominent historical structures not only in Madhya Pradesh but in the entire country. It is one of the fine specimens of Mughal architecture and craftsmanship in central India.

The construction of this mosque, featuring marble dome and tall minarets, was started in the 19th century.

Fact about the Place: The mosque is built over an area of 430,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 1,75,000 people at a point of time.

Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM.

Location: Bhojpur, Madhya Pradesh.

National parks in Madhya Pradesh are known for their rich biodiversity and should be on the top of the bucket list of every wildlife lover.

If you are on a quest to unravel the historical wealth of Madhya Pradesh, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are unmissable. Featuring a collection of almost 700 rock shelters, this site is an archaeologist’s wildest dream.

Moreover, around 200 of these caves have on display almost 30,000-year-old paintings depicting various facets of human life in those times. Some of these caves, giving the earliest traces of human life, are estimated to be as old as 100,000 years.

Without a doubt, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters is among the most intriguing heritage sites in Madhya Pradesh.

Fact about the Place: The caves found here show traces of Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Chalcolithic periods.

Timings: 7 AM to 6 PM.

One of the most prominent historical places in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar Temple finds its name on the bucket list of a lot of culture vultures in India.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located on an island called Shivapuri in the river Narmada that resembles the shape of the OM symbol. It is one of the most revered religious sites for the followers of Hinduism as it is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

The temple is believed to be at least a thousand years old, and is a great choice for history enthusiasts in Madhya Pradesh.

Fact about the Place: It is one of the major pilgrimages of Hindus.

Timings: 5 AM to 10 PM.

Location: Mandhata, Madhya Pradesh.

Whether you are planning a fun day out with your friends or you want to have a great picnic experience with your family, you can visit various waterfalls in Madhya Pradesh while on a trip and spend a delightful day creating memories in the shadow of the tumbling waters.

One of the most captivating structures in Madhya Pradesh, Jama Masjid located in the historical town of Mandu is a go-to place. This site gives you the dual experience of spirituality and cultural extravaganza simultaneously.

The design of the mosque, built during the reign of Hoshang Shah, follows Mughal architecture and is extremely photogenic.

The inscription on the mosque hints that the mosque was modelled on the basis of the model of Damascus Mosque in Syria. Jama Masjid in Mandu is undoubtedly one of the finest historical places in Madhya Pradesh.

Fact about the Place: Construction of the mosque was completed during the reign of Mahmud Khilji in the 15th century.

Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM.

Located near the Datia Lake, the palace is seven-story ancient structure perched atop a small hill. The palace was built in 1614 and it redefines the Bundela architecture with fine craftsmanship of the erstwhile era.

The palace speaks volumes about the rich culture and art of the Bundela dynasty with the paintings and artefacts inside the palace premises. The palace promises to enchant history buffs as it has inherited a lot and stands tall as the symbol of the glory of the Bundelas.

 Fact about the Place: No wood or iron was used in the construction of the palace; it is solely made up of stones and bricks.

Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM.

Location: Datia is located at a distance of 70 km from Gwalior.

Cave exploration in Madhya Pradesh is a surreal experience, and guarantees to render you speechless, while also satiating your thirst for history.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain is one of the most popular holy shrines visited by Hindus in the temple city. The city, situated on the banks of Shipra River, boasts of the numerous temples it houses, and Mahakaleshwar Temple is the most visited out of the many temples.

The uniqueness of Mahakaleshwar lies in the fact that it is the only Jyotirlinga which is facing the South, which gives it the name “Dakshinamurti”.

Fact about the Place: It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva.

Timings: 3 AM to 11 PM.

Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh is your ultimate stop to taste the real thrill of adventure because whatever your idea of getting adventurous may be, it has amazing options for you to satisfy your yearning for action.

Famous for housing one of the largest lingas in the country, Bhojeshwar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva whose construction was abandoned before its completion.

This temple was built by Raja Bhoj during the 11th century and has an 18 feet tall linga. Located on a hillock overlooking Bhojpur, the temple receives herds of devotees and tourists all through the year.

Along with the stories associated with the temple, its fine architecture and carvings make it one of the most impressive heritage sites in Madhya Pradesh.

Fact about the Place: The architectural plan of the temple is carved on the rock surrounding it.

Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM.