Bhopal Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

Sightseeing Highlights:

The Lakes

The Upper and Lower Lakes, or Bada and Chotta talabs are collectively referred to as the Bhoj Wetland. An overbridge separates the two water bodies. These lakes were created by bunds constructed over the Kolas River in the 11^th century. Around the Bada Talab lies the Van Vihar National Park. Visitors enjoy boating (paddle boats and motor boats are both available at the boathouse). The lakes have become a big draw for birding enthusiasts. They attract a fair amount of bird life and have been designated a Ramsar Site in November 2002. More than 20,000 birds have been recorded here annually. Recent times have seen the return of the white stork, black-necked stork, bar-headed goose and spoonbill amongst others. With the conservation programme in place the lakes have also started attracting sarus cranes in large numbers.

During the festival season the lakes are of religious significance and the immersion of the gods is done here amongst ritual prayers.  The tomb of Shah Ali Shah Raahamtullah is located on Takia Island in Upper Lake and is a pilgrimage point.

The Mosques

The Taj-ul-Masjid mosque a pink-wash stone structure is said to be the largest mosque in Asia and is Bhopal's most majestic monument. Commissioned by Begum Sultan Jehan in 1878, it was only completed a century later. In the central courtyard devotees wash in the sacred tank before entering the vast pillared prayer hall. The Dhai Seedhi Masjid, built by Dost Mohammad in 1716 is believed to be Bhopal's oldest masjid. The Jama Masjid with its gilded finials was commissioned by Qudsia Begum in 1837. By the Lower lake is the Moti Masjid gifted to the city by Sikandar Jehan in 1860.

Bharat Bhawan

Bhopal has always enjoyed a lively cultural heritage. Set up in 1982 this complex is an important cultural centre in India and has showcased some of the finest talents of India's tribal and folk culture. Visitors can enjoy the interesting displays of pottery, paintings, wood work and metal craft. Most evenings the bhawan is also a venue for stage performances.

Other Activities:

Shopping

The old quarter is famous for traditional crafts such as embroidery, zardozi work, bridal wear and tailored sherwanis. Bhopal's famous beaded purses with draw strings or batuas make popular gifts. While in the markets do try a traditional Bhopali paan, some recipes of which have been handed down from generation to generation.

Cultural Evenings

Check the papers for local performances at Bharat Bhawan. You might want to attend a shairi (poetry) programme, which is a popular pastime amongst the older inhabitants of this old city. Rope in a local friend or acquaintance to get invited, or else check with the tourist office as its quite helpful with such information.

Excursions:

Bhimbetka Caves (45km)

A trip to Bhopal provides the perfect opportunity to drive down to Bhimbetka to explore its amazing rock shelters in the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains. The range runs alongside the Malwa plateau's southern edge. Deep in these great sandstone spurs, high above the forest cover are five clusters of caves, which were used as shelters for centuries by aboriginal settlements. The walls of these are embellished with paintings dating from the Mesolithic Period onwards. There are about 21 villages located in close proximity to the shelters and their inhabitants reflect the lifestyle of those depicted on these ancient caves. The Bhimbetka rock shelters are a World Heritage Site. Indian archaeological records in 1888 were the first to note their historical importance as a Buddhist site. Further research led to the discovery of other prehistoric rock shelters. Many of the rock shelters are marked by paintings superimposed over older ones over the centuries.

Sanchi (68 km)

Its serene environs reflect the importance of this hilly enclave as an ancient Buddhist site. This amazingly well preserved and extensive site dates back over several centuries from the 3rd century BC. Home to many Buddhist monasteries and stupas the settlement was founded by the Emperor Ashoka of Kalinga fame. Ashoka's young wife hailed from Vidisha, which is about 10km away. It was with patronage from Vidisha's rich merchants that Sanchi grew to a thriving township by the 12^th century.

Tourism Info: 

MPSTDC

4^th Floor Gangotri

TT Nagar

Bhopal

Tel: 0755-2774340

Bhopal, the City of Lakes is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and the second biggest city after Indore. Flying into Raja Bhoj airport visitors are reminded of the origins of this lake-filled city in Central India.  In the 11^th century Raja Bhoja of the Parmara dynasty was struck by leprosy. He created a lake and bathed in its healing waters, as advised by sages. Around the lake grew a city that in time served as the base for the rule of Raja Bhoj and his descendants over the region of the Malwa Plateau till the 13^th century. By the 16^th century it was annexed to the Mughal Empire.

With the power of the Mughals in decline, close to the 17^th century, chaos and confusion reigned and the kingdom of the Parmaras and Mughals broke apart. The struggle for power resulted in the rise of the Gond chieftains. Rani Kamlapati, the wife of Gond ruler Nizam Shah of Ginnur, is another outstanding figure in Malwa politics. Alam Shah, a relative of her husband plotted to have him murdered. Kamlapati asked a swashbuckling Afghan soldier - Dost Mohammad- to get rid of Alam Shah for her. For a decade the queen ruled Malwa, but after her death Dost killed her son and took over the reins of her fiefdom.

Dost Mohommad was the founder of the Bhopal dynasty which played a vital role even in the Raj-era politics under its famous begums. Ghaus Mohammad, successor of Dost, was the fifth Nawab of Bhopal and it was his zesty wife Zeenat Begum, who jumped into the arena of her husband's political life. She made quite a name for herself rallying for women's rights and urging them to fight for their honour and their land. Her widowed daughter Qudsia came into power in 1819 and continued the legend of the emancipated Begums of Bhopal who steered the course of politics in the region for a century.

Mumbai cine star Sharmila Tagore is married into the same family. In 1949, it was the last of the princely states to be absorbed into the Indian Union. In 1956 it was integrated into the state of Madhya Pradesh as its capital. Bhopal attracted international attention as a result of the gas tragedy at the Union Carbide plant on the December 3 in 1984.

Surrounded by the Shyamala and Idgah hills on the Malwa Plateau, Bhopal has grown around two artificial lakes. It is an excellent base to explore Bhimbetka for its painted caves and Sanchi the famous Buddhist enclave.