About Bhopal

Country: India | State: Madhya Pradesh

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 Full Days

Nearest City to Bhopal: Bhopal

Best Time to Visit Bhopal: July to March

Peak Season: October to February

At a distance of 45 km from Sanchi, 193 km from Indore, 194 km from Pachmarhi, 195 km from Ujjain, 320 km from Jhansi, 324 km from Jabalpur, 354 km from Nagpur, 370 km from Khajuraho, 407 km from Gwalior, 506 km from Udaipur, 582 km from Ahmedabad, 599 km from Jaipur, and 607 km from Lucknow, Bhopal is the capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of Bhopal district. It is one of the top places to visit in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must include places in India tour packages.

The city of Bhopal is often called the 'City of Lakes' as it features a pair of artificial lakes - Upper Lake and Lower Lake, among the must include places in Bhopal tour packages. One of the greenest cities in India, the city can be divided into two parts, the old city towards the north comprising of rustic mosques, bustling bazaars, serpentine alleys, and exquisite old havelis. The new town with swanky infrastructure, shopping complexes, and wide roads situated to the south. It is this contrast that makes Bhopal an exquisite blend of the old and the new, the past and the present, the rustic and the classy. It is one of the popular places to visit near Indore.

Formerly known as Bhojpal, the ancient city of Bhopal was founded by Raja Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty, who is said to have built many lakes that surround the city today. This city was improved upon by Dost Mohammed Khan, who established rule upon this city after the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707. In the 19th century, Bhopal came under the rule of Mamola Bai, the first Begum, after her husband's death. She was then succeeded by Qudsia Begum, and then her daughter, Sikander ruled the kingdom. During this reign of the Begums, arts, culture, education, and architecture flourished which made Bhopal into the beautiful city that it is today.

The city of Bhopal is a true paradise for historians, archaeologists, art & architecture patrons, and curious travelers as it boasts of numerous historical monuments, religious places, and several museums. Moti Masjid, Upper Lake, Udayagiri Caves, Bhimbetka Caves, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Birla Mandir, Shaukat Mahal, Jama Masjid, Van Vihar National Park are the top and major places to visit in Bhopal. The city is also famous for its Nawabi food that is an absolute delight for foodies. Tragically, Bhopal is also a reminiscence of the world's worst industrial disaster in the chemical plant of Union Carbide that was responsible for at least 8000 deaths from the explosion alone.

Known as the land of religion and culture, there are many religious festivals celebrated in Bhopal throughout the year with much enthusiasm. Lokrang is one of the major cultural festivals, of Bhopal that is celebrated 4-5 days every year in January. Organized by the Madhya Pradesh Adivasi Lok Kala Academy, the motive of this festival is to erase the geopolitical demarcations, make India a unified whole, and revive the year-old tradition. Diwali, Ramanavami, Holi, Dussehra, Raksha Bandhan, and Navratri are the other festivals celebrated with much pomp and fervor by the people of Bhopal.

Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal is the nearest airport which is about 15 km from Bhopal Junction. It has direct flights from Mumbai, Hyderabad, and New Delhi. Bhopal Junction Railway Station is well connected by trains from Secunderabad, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Amritsar, Gorakhpur, Nagpur, Mumbai, Goa, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Chennai, Bilaspur, Lucknow, Puri, Pune, Bareilly, Kanpur, Indore, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Chhattisgarh, Kolhapur, Vishakhapatnam, Jodhpur, Jhansi, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Rameswaram, Haridwar, and New Delhi. Bhopal Bus Station is the nearest bus stand which has well-connected buses from all the major cities of Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad.

The best time to visit Bhopal is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and ideal for exploring the experiencing the rich flavors of the grand city. July-September is another favorable time to visit the city. Avoid visiting the city in summer as it is hot, dry, and humid.

...read more

Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 0755
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Urdu, Malwi, Bundelkhandi, Gondi.& English
Major Festivals: Lokrang, Drupad Samaroh, & Navratri
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Bhopal

By Air

Nearest Airport: Bhopal - Raja Bhoj Airport (15 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Bhopal Junction Railway Station (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Bhopal Bus Station (7 Kms)

Top 11 Places to Visit in Bhopal

#1 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 8 km from Bhopal Junction, Van Vihar National Park is a national park located in the beautiful city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the banks of Upper Lake, it is one of the popular parks in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must-visit places as part of Bhopal Packages.

Declared a national park in 1979, Van Vihar covers an area of about 4.45 sq. km. It has the status of a national park but is developed and managed as a modern zoological park, following the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority. The animals here are kept closest to their natural habitats, making it a haven for people who love nature. Most of the animals here are either orphaned and brought from various parts of the state or exchanged from other zoos. The park is unique because visitors access it from a road through the park, and security of animals assured from poachers by building trenches and walls, chain-link fence.

Van Vihar National Park categorizes animals into 2 categories, i.e., .....

...read more

#2 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 1 km from Van Vihar National Park, and 9 km from Bhopal Junction, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is a unique museum located at Shyamala Hills in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near Van Vihar, it is one of the largest and leading anthropological museums in India, and among the most visited tourist places in Bhopal.

Also known as the National Museum of Mankind or Museum of Man, the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) was established in the year 1985. Spread over an area of about 200 acres, the museum depicts an integrated story of the evolution of man and culture with special reference to India. The museum also has a regional center for the South India region at Mysore in Karnataka. Located along with the Upper Lake, the museum can be accessed either from Lake View Road or from another road near Demonstration School.

The museum offers an opportunity to explore the most subtle but artistic sensibilities of the rich Indian culture .....

...read more

#3 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 4 km from Bhopal Junction, Gohar Mahal, also spelt as Gauhar Mahal is an ancient palace located in the Peer Gate area of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Perched on the banks of the serene Upper Lake, it is one of the beautiful heritage structures in Bhopal, and among the top places to visit as part of Bhopal Packages.

Gohar Mahal was constructed in the year 1820 by the first female ruler of Bhopal, Qudsia Begum who is popularly known as Gohar Begum. This three-storied palace was the residential as well as a working place for the Begum. Maintained by Madhya Pradesh Tourism, it is one of the finest specimens of architecture and craftsmanship of the Nawabi era. Built with a perfect blend of Hindu and Mughal styles of architecture, the palace is ornamented with intricate interior carvings and beautiful decorations on the exterior.

The splendid three-storied structure has an entry from the lakeside. The surrounding of the palace is beautifully landscaped with lawns and .....

...read more

#4 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 4 km from Bhopal Junction, Shaukat Mahal is a historical structure located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Situated at the entrance to the Chowk area, it is one of the most unique architectural marvels of Bhopal, and among the top places to visit in Bhopal.

Shaukat Mahal was constructed in the 1830s as a wedding gift for Sikander Jehan Begum, the first full-fledged female ruler of Bhopal. It is an integral part of the famous royal quadrangle of Bhopal around the Iqbal Maidan, earlier known as Khirniwala Maidan. Architecturally it is a bit of an oddity compared to other buildings in the heart of Bhopal, the building has many western elements combining both Post Renaissance and Gothic styles. This is due to the design being attributed to the Bourbons of Bhopal, widely considered to be descendants of renowned French kings.

Built with a mix of Indian-Islamic and European Styles, the roof of the building is adorned with a series of complicated triangular-shaped arches .....

...read more

#5 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 6 km from Bhopal Junction, Birla Mandir is a Hindu temple located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Also known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Bhopal, and among the must-visit places during Bhopal Trip.

Built atop the striking Arera Hills, the famous Birla Temple was built as a tribute to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. It was erected by the famous industrial family - the Birla Group and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. The temple is spread over 7.5 acres and is adorned with well-maintained lawns, gardens, fountains, and sculptures. Apart from Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu, this temple also houses a beautiful shrine of Lord Shiva, with his wife Parvathi.

It is one of the oldest and well-maintained temples in Bhopal. The grand temple attracts thousands of devotees during the festivities of Janmashtami and Diwali. Surrounded by greenery and an ancient charm, the temple not only provides a spiritual experience but also a panoramic .....

...read more

#6 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 8 km from Bhopal Junction, State Museum Bhopal is an archaeological museum located on Shyamla Hills in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Situated opposite to Regional Science Centre, it is one of the popular museums in Madhya Pradesh, and among the prominent places to visit in Bhopal.

The State Museum was established as Edward Museum in 1909 AD by the rule of Bhopal state and governed with the name of Ajayabghar in the present central library building. After the formation of Madhya Pradesh state, the museum was shifted to the building at Banganga road and was called as Bhopal Museum. In 2005, the State Museum, Bhopal was inaugurated in a new form in a newly constructed building and is one of the beautiful specimens of architecture.

This museum contains outstanding art pieces & rare antiquities that showcase the rich cultural heritage and historical tales of Madhya Pradesh. The museum comprises 17 galleries on various subjects include thematic gallery, pre-history & .....

...read more

#7 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 8 km from Bhopal Junction, Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum is a museum located at Shyamla Hills in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Situated just beside State Museum, it is one of the popular museums in Madhya Pradesh, and among the prominent Bhopal Tourist Places.

The cultural tapestry of Madhya Pradesh is woven with varied art, craft, architecture, and customs as it is home to several tribal communities such as the Gonds, Baigas, and Bhariyas. The Tribal Museum in Bhopal brings to life the culture of these tribes through full-scale models and colorful art installations and performances. Established in 2013, the museum was created and dedicated to the tribal people of Madhya Pradesh.

Spread across 7 acres of land, the museum is divided into 6 colorful galleries showing the diversity of the seven tribes of the state - the Bheel, Gond, Korku, Baiga, Sahariya, Bhariya, and Kol. The artistic displays are mesmerizing as it creates awareness about the tribal rituals, customs, .....

...read more

#8 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 4 km from Bhopal Junction, Taj-ul-Masajid, or Taj-ul-Masjid is a 19th-century mosque located at the heart of Bhopal city in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the largest mosques in India, and among the must include places in Bhopal Trip.

Literally means 'The Crown of Mosques', the Taj-ul-Masjid is one of the largest mosques in Asia. The construction of the mosque was initiated by Nawab Shah Jahan Begum of Bhopal (1868-1901) during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and continued to be built by her daughter Sultan Jahan Begum, till her lifetime. But the mosque was incomplete due to lakh of funds. After a long lay-off, its construction began once again in 1971 and was completed by 1985. The entrance (eastern) gate was renovated grandly using ancient motifs from circa 1250 Syrian mosques by the contribution of the Emir of Kuwait to commemorate the memory of his departed wife.

A classic illustration of Mughal architecture, Taj-Ul-Masajid is sprawling .....

...read more

#9 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 7 km from Bhopal Junction, Regional Science Centre is a science center in the Shyamala Hills area of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the Science Museums in India, and among the most important places to visit in Bhopal, especially those who are travelling with children.

The Regional Science Center in Bhopal was inaugurated in 1995 by the then president of India late Shankar Dayal Sharma. This center is one of the 25 constituent units of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) engaged in popularizing Science and Technology amongst students in particular and the masses in general, through a wide range of activities and interactive programs.

The Regional Science Center contains over 266 science exhibits. There is a hall in the center which is known as The Hall of Energy, which allows visitors to learn about different forms of energy. There are many exhibits that highlight the importance of renewable resources. Also, there is an Atmosphere Gallery, known .....

...read more

#10 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 7 km from Bhopal Junction, Cave Temple is a sacred Hindu shrine located in the Lalghati locality of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on top of a small hill, it is one of the popular places f pilgrimage in Bhopal, and among the prominent attractions to visit during your Bhopal Trip.

Also known as Gufa Mandir, the Cave Temple was discovered in the year 1949 by Shri Mahant Narayandas Ji Tyagi. The spacious temple complex comprises 7 natural caves hence this temple was named Cave Temple. One of these seven caves has the self-styled Shiva's Pindi, whose vision only fulfills the wishes of the devotees. The cave that holds the Shiv Lingam is supplied by natural water that never goes dry even during the summers.

Just below the cave in the temple complex, beautiful tableaux of deities like Shri Radhakrishna and Shri Ram Janaki Laxman are installed. There is an establishment of a famous temple in the courtyard by the name of old Hanuman Ji. Apart from this, the Durga .....

...read more

#11 of 26 Places to Visit in Bhopal

At a distance of 7 km from Bhopal Junction, Upper Lake is an artificial lake situated in the heart of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Locally known as 'Bada Talaab', it is the oldest man-made lake in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must include places in Bhopal Tour Packages.

Bhopal holds several lakes hence the city is widely known as the city of lakes. Of these, the Upper Lake is the most significant one that lies on the west of Bhopal. Also referred to as Bhojtal, the Upper Lake was created by Raja Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty in the 11th century CE. According to the folklore, once king Bhoj suffered from a skin disease and all Vaidyas failed to cure him. Then, one day a saint told him to build a tank to combine 365 tributaries and take a bath in it to get cured of the skin disease. The king got his engineers to work on the same, with some help from Gond Commander Kalia, who gave him the address of a secret river to bring the total number of rivers to 365. And that was how the Upper Lake .....

...read more