Madhya Pradesh – The Heart of Incredible India

Madhya Pradesh is a wonderful state of the Incredible India which is situated in central India. The geographic location of the state led to its nickname – ‘The Heart of Incredible India’. ‘Bhopal’ is the capital of Madhya Pradesh. The rich history of the land, the presence scenic locations, and rich wildlife in the state attracts a large number of tourists every year to the state and thereby ensuring a thriving Madhya Pradesh tourism industry. Being blessed with numerous romantic places for couples, Madhya Pradesh is witnessing an increase in the number of tourists every year. The tourism sector is welcoming all the interested tourists and we cannot stop praising its hospitality.

History of Madhya Pradesh – The Formation

The history of the civilization dates back to the origin of the ‘Mauryan Kingdom’. The region has been under the reigns of prominent rulers like Ashoka of Mauryan Empire, the Saka, the Kushana, the Gupta Dynasty, Muhammad Ghazni, Muhammad Ghori, the Mughals and the Marathas. The essence of the king history can still be felt through the arts and architecture of the state. The British also reigned over the land until India got its independence from them in the year 1947.

Geography of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh spreads across an area of 308,245 sq. km and as per geography it is situated in the centre of India and to be precise, it lies on the map between the latitude 21.2°N-26.87°N and the longitude 74°02′-82°49′ E. The Narmada River, the Vindhya Range and Satpura Range are influential geographic features of the state. The state is divided into 51 Tehsils which include numerous cities, beautiful towns, and villages. As per the 2011 census, the city population of Madhya Pradesh was 72,597,565.

Biodiversity of Madhya Pradesh

The rich biodiversity of Madhya Pradesh is protected by a number of bio-reserves and national parks. Bamboo, Teak and Sal forests are commonly found in the state. Rare and endangered species are protected in the numerous safe zones of the state.

Climatic Conditions of Madhya Pradesh

The climate of Madhya Pradesh is subtropical in nature. The climatic conditions of the state vary from season to season. The summer weather which lasts from April to June is dry and hot while the winter season extending from December to February are relatively cold. The monsoon brings heavy rains in the months of July to September. The best time to visit Madhya Pradesh is from ‘October to June’ when the weather is most suitable for sightseeing places.

Madhya Pradesh Culture

The culture of Madhya Pradesh is made up of the diverse customs and traditions of India. The rituals of the local tribes and their beliefs are the ancient beliefs of the region. The celebrations offer an image of the tribal traditions and rituals and also give a glimpse of the Indian heritage. The regional language of the state is “Hindi”.

Interesting Facts about Madhya Pradesh

• On the basis of total area, Madhya Pradesh is the second-largest state in India.
• Indore is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh.
• The Narmada, Chambal, Betwa, Tapti, and Son are the main rivers of Madhya Pradesh.
• The Swamp Deer is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh.
• The Paradise Flycatcher is the state bird of Madhya Pradesh.
• Dhupgarh is the highest point in Madhya Pradesh which is elevated at a height of 1,350 m.
• “Tansen” and “Baiju Bawra”, two of the musical legends were born in Madhya Pradesh.
• ‘Dhai Seedi Ki Masjid’ in Madhya Pradesh is among the smallest mosques in Asia.
• ‘Taj-ul-Masajid’ is among the biggest mosques in Asia.
• The ‘Gwalior Trade Fair’ is the second largest trade fair in India.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism: The Best Tourist Attractions

One of the strong pillars of the Indian tourism is based Madhya Pradesh, the natural beauty and ecosystem of the state are responsible for its thriving tourism industry. Scenic mountain ranges overlooking the rivers, reflective lakes, gurgling streams and dense forests with a hint of suspense, make the state an ideal holiday destination. Contact your most trusted travel guide to get hold of the best hotels and resorts at reasonable rates in Madhya Pradesh capital or anywhere in the state. The best of Madhya Pradesh tourist places include:

• World Heritage Sites: The state is a rich hub of art and architecture. The state has three world heritage sites which harbor numerous historical places. The sites are the Khajuraho Group of Movements, the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi and the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka.
• Hindu Temples: Each of the famous temples of Madhya Pradesh is an example of exquisite architecture. The Chaturbhuj Temple, the Gajanan Maharaj Temple, the Chintaman Ganesh Temple Devi Jagadambi Temple, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, The Pashupatinath Temple, the Omkareshwar Temple, Gufa Mandir, the Taxakeshwar Temple or Takhaji Temple, the Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Shyam Kaka Temple, the Lakshmi Narayana Temple, the Temple of Dakshin Kali or Kalighat and Vishwanath Temple are most visited Hindu temples of the state.
• Buddhist Temples: The Dharmrajeshwar, the Deur Kothar, Sanchi are among the famous temples of the Buddhists. These are one of the best tourist attractions in Madhya Pradesh.
• Mosques: Dhai Seedi Ki Masjid, Taj-ul-Masajid, Jama Masjid and Taj-ul-Masajid are famous historic mosques of Madhya Pradesh.
• Hill Stations: The picturesque hills and serene mountain ranges of Panchmarhi, Shivpuri and Amarkantak not only serve as popular tourist spots but also considered to be among the best vacation spots of Madhya Pradesh.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks: It is rich in biodiversity and therefore a number of protected spheres have been created to shelter the precious wildlife and plant species. Bandhavgarh National Park, Satpura National Park, Kanha, Sanjay National Park, Van Vihar National Park, Mandla National Park, Pench National Park, Panna National Park, Madhav National Park and White Tiger Safar are famous spots of ecotourism that encourage the overall tourism in Madhya Pradesh.
• Romantic Places for Couples: Besides the lovely hill stations and lakes of the states, the Khajuraho temple, and the Dhuandhar Falls are among the best honeymoon destinations of the state.
• Adventurous Places: The definition and scope of adventure have expanded over the years. Besides mountaineering, trekking and river rafting the tour of haunted spots is becoming one of the popular adventurous activities.
• Haunted Places: The well known haunted places in Madhya Pradesh include the Dow Industrial Complex, the Empty Building in Indore, the Peepal Tree in Jabalpur, the Bhoot Bungalow in Bhopal, the Sukh Niwas Palace, the Sharda Devi Temple in Maihar, Indira Gandhi Hospital, Church Guna, AB Road Bridge, and Shivpuri Fort.
• Shopping Malls: Besides the local markets and stalls, there are 48 shopping malls in the state. The Chowk, Patankar Bazar, MT Market, TT Nagar, Chowk Bazaar, etc. are popular shopping hubs of the state.

People of Madhya Pradesh

The uniqueness of an ethnicity lies in the diverse characteristics of its people and their beliefs. The state of Madhya Pradesh is home to people who have different faiths and beliefs. The major religions of the state are Hinduism, Islam, Jain, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The major tribes of the region include the Gond, Baiga, Bhil, Korku, Halba, Sahariya, Kaul, Malto and Mariya.

Madhya Pradesh Cuisines

The Madhya Pradesh food palate has a strong influence on the Mughal and Rajasthani cuisines. Seekh Kebabs, Shammi Kebabs, Bhopali Gosht korma, Korma, and Keema are most known non-vegetarian dishes of the state. Daal Bafla, very similar to the Dal Bati of Rajasthan, Poha, Palak Puri served with Aloo Sabzi and Raita, and Chakki ki Shak are lip-smacking recipes of Madhya Pradesh.

‘Bhutte Ka Kees‘ is a famous street food of the state. The list of favorite sweets offered in Madhya Pradesh is very long. Jalebi is the most popular dish of the state, followed by India’s pancakes Malpua, Imarti, Srikhand, Faluda, Lavang Lata, Kaju Katli, and Rabri. The famous Namkeens of Madhya Pradesh is the Dalmoth, Khatta Metha Chiwra, Khasta Kachori, and Phalhari Potato Chiwra.

Major Festivals in Madhya Pradesh

The festivals of the state are not exclusive to one particular community, all the communities participating in the festivals and celebrate it with equal gusto and excitement. On the days of the festivals, one gets to experience the folk dance, regional songs, traditional costumes, local artifacts and food of the region. The major festivals list includes Shivratri, Navratri, Chethiyagiri Vihara, Madai, Diwali, Janmashtami, and Eid.

Popular Fairs (Melas) in Madhya Pradesh

The popular fairs of the state include the Manua Bhan Ki Tekri, fair of Nagaji and Shivratri Mela in Panchmari. Besides the traditional fairs, the state also organizes social fairs and festivals to celebrate the zeal of the society. The Khajuraho Festival, Bhagoria Haat, Madai Festival, Tansen Music Festival, the Malwa Festival, the Panchmari Festival, Jal Mahotsav, the Gwalior Carnival and Gwalior Trade Fair are among the hyped social festivals of Madhya Pradesh.

Clothing Trends in Madhya Pradesh

Besides latest and trendy clothing trends, the people of Madhya Pradesh lie to sport their traditional dresses on special occasions and on the days of festivals. The traditional dress of men is Dhoti, a Jacket called Bandi or Mirzai and a type of turban called Safa. The tribal men prefer wearing short Dhoti that is known as Langot.

Lehenga and Choli that is worn with a Lugra or Orni is a traditional dress for women while Sarees are also quite famous among the women. Chanderi Sarees, Maheshwari Sarees, and Bandhani dresses are classy traditional dresses in Madhya Pradesh.

Present Scenario

While most states are busy keeping up with the latest fashion trends, the youth of Madhya Pradesh are silently working in the shadow for the growth and development of their state. The state and its people also play a significant role in making Madhya Pradesh a worthy province of India. The literacy rate of the state was 69.32%, as per the census of 2011.

Districts of Madhya Pradesh