Madhya Pradesh; the Land of History, Wildlife and Adventure
Introduction
Madhya Pradesh, the central state of India is also the heart of Indian culture. It has a rich cultural heritage of all the major Indian religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Numerous monuments, rivers, caves, carved temples, Buddhist Stupas and medieval forts and palaces tell the tales of kaleidoscopic history of India.
Geography
Since it was the largest state before Chhattisgarh split from it, it has a varied landscape. On one hand, it has the mountain ranges of Vindhayas and Satpuras whereas on the other hand, it has the thick forest area, rich with wild life; some of the areas are dotted with rivers and lakes. The exotic national parks of Shivpuri, Kanha and Bandhavgarh are rich with Indian wildlife and you will be thrilled to see tigers, rare deer and antelopes, andbison. The terrains of Narmada and Tapti rivers cause them to flow from east to west, whereas Chambal, Sone, Mahanadi and Betwa flow from west to east.
History
Madhya Pradesh showcases the timelines of the rise and fall of various empires and kingdoms. The state was home to Sanskrit poet Kalidasa and the legendry musician of the court of Emperor Akbar, Tansen. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments, the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, the Devi Jagdambi temple and the Buddhist monuments in Sanchi are declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
If you wish to have a glimpse of the rich heritage and long historical past of India, then you should visit Indore, Bhopal, Chanderi, Dhar, Deorkothar, Chitrakuta, Gwalior, Maheshwar, Shivpuri, Ujjain, Mandu, Omkareshwar, Sonagiri(Jain temples), Orchha and Asirgarh.
National parks and Nature Reserves
Among the national parks, the following parks are famous; Kanha National Park, Panna National Park, Van Vihar National Park, Madhava National Park, Sanjay National Park, Mandla Plant Fossils National Park, Pench National Park, Satpura National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park. Chambal, Bagh Caves, Bori Nature Reserve, Ken Gharial, Narwar, Pachmarhi, Nora Dehi and Shikarganj are some of the famous nature reserves of Madhya Pradesh. The famous hill stations in Madhya Pradesh are Pachmarhi, Amarkantak and Shivpuri.
Fairs and Festivals
As it is termed as the cultural heartland of India, Madhya Pradesh is home to many fairs and festivals, such as Shivratri, a famous Hindu festival celebrated with great fervor in Khajuraho, Ujjain, Bhojpur and Pachmarhi; whereas Ramnavmi, a Hindu festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama is celebrated with fanfare in Chitrakoot and Orchha. Some of the local dances at the annual festival of Khajuraho are major tourist attractions. Some other festivals such as the Malwa festival and the Pachmarhi festival showcase the rich heritage of tribal and folk culture in India.
Tourist Attractions
Gwalior, the famous royal city of Madhya Pradesh, lies just 120 km south of Agra. It is famous for its Gwalior fortress and Scindia kingdom. Gwalior Fort is the major tourist attraction in Gwalior. It was once the capital of Madhya Bharat. Jaivilas Palace, which is inspired by the architecture of the Palace of Versailles, attracts a lot of tourists every year. This palace is an architectural fusion of Tuscan, Italian and Corinthian styles.
Khajuraho is the city of great temples located in Chattarpur district. It showcases the ancient and medieval Hindu and Jain temples carved with erotic sculptures. It also depicts thousands of love positions inspired from the famous Indian book on erotica, the Kamasutra.
Waterfalls
Dhuandhar Falls(Bhedaghat), Jamuna Prapat(Pachmarhi), Bee falls(Pachmarhi), Rajat Prapat(Pachmarhi), Jalawataran(Pachmarhi), Patal Pani(Indore), Raneh Falls(Panna), Pandav Falls(Panna) are some of the natural water falls in Madhya Pradesh and they are sure to give you a tingling massage while bathing under it.
Adventure in Madhya Pradesh
Air adventure: Parasailing in Pachmarhi
For the onlooker, it might seem like a risky and difficult feat, but in fact it is much exciting and adventurous. In Pachmarhi, you get a rare opportunity of parasailing, that too when you are towed behind a jeep as the parachute fills the air and you are ready to glide on the wings into the sky. Within minutes you are ready to land on earth into safety. The operators of this kind of parasailing know every bit of the art and most of the parasailers in Pachmarhi attempting it are the first timers and novices in parasailing.
Boating is an amazing experience along the marble rocks at Bhedaghat with an elevation of hundred feet on either side of the Narmada River. In the moonlit night, it becomes even more enchanting as the river water seems like a silver screen. Rafting in Betwa River in Orchha is also a most enjoyable experience.
Mountaineering and Trekking in Pachmarhi and Amarkantak
In Madhya Pradesh, you get the perfect setting for mountaineering in the Maikal mountain region. There is no dearth of fun and adventure for the trekkers here. Trekking in the Satpura ranges in Pachmarhi is also a thrilling experience as you pass through some of the prehistoric caves and waterfalls during the course of trekking here.
Last Updated on : 15th March 2013
