The resplendent Hindu temples of Khajuraho, immaculately restored after almost a millennium of abandonment and neglect, are among the most essential stops on any itinerary of India's historic monuments.
Orchha: Central India at its most exotic crumbling riverside tombs and ornate Rajput palaces amid lush, tranquil countryside.
Sanchi: a finely restored Buddhist stupa complex, complete with intricately carved gateways.
Pachmarhi: The only hill station in central India, where you can trek to the top of a sacred Shiva peak, hunt out prehistoric rock art or just relax in the cool air.
Mandu: A medieval fort atop a plateau where the emperor got down to serious pleasure-seeking in his vast harem, theatre, steam baths and pavilions.
Gwalior: whose hilltop fort-palace was the linchpin of both the Delhi Sultanate's and the Moghuls' southward expansion, straddles the main Delhi-Mumbai railway in the far north.
In addition to its historic sites, Madhya Pradesh boasts a number of wildlife reserves. In the sparsely populated east, remote savannah grasslands are an ideal habitat for deer and bison, while the shady sal forests and Tarai swamplands that surround the maidans provide perfect cover for larger predators such as the tiger. Of the national parks hidden away in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha is deservedly popular, though there are more chances of seeing the big cats at the smaller Bandhavgarh national park to the north.
Adventure & Activities
Madhya Pradesh offers an increasing number of opportunities for adventure sports, including trekking, mountaineering, whitewater rafting, caving, and diving. The hill resort of Pachmarhi is a paradise for adventure seekers. For trekking enthusiasts, Pachmarhi offers opportunities for trekking trips, in and around the town. Madhya Pradesh also boasts of beautiful reservoirs and rivers where water sports are being promoted in a big way. Water sports activities are being encouraged in Tighara in Gwalior, Upper Lake in Bhopal, Betwa river in Orchha and Benisagar Dam in Khajuraho. Parasailing and hot air ballooning are also being promoted. A cruise boat has already been launched in the Upper Lake at Bhopal and rafting would start shortly in Betwa river at Orchha.
Madhya Pradesh also has sacred places of great religious importance Omkareshwar and Ujjain, two of the 12 Jyotirlingas of the country. Amarkantak, Maheshwar, Chitrakoot, and Bhojpur are also unmatched. Light and Sound programs have already been started at Gwalior and Khajuraho and the same would start at Orchha and Indore this year. Burhanpur and Indore are being developed as new tourist destinations. Orchha, Chitrakoot, Maihar, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Amarkantak have been declared holy cities where special attention has been paid to improve basic facilities for the devotees and tourists. All these efforts are going a long way in putting Madhya Pradesh on the world tourism map prominently.
