Madhya Pradesh

Introduction to Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh travel provides the visitors to experience the very quintessence of India's natural splendor, and rich artistic and cultural heritage. The state of Madhya Pradesh in the central region of India is an absolutely dream-come-true for traveling enthusiasts. There are a number of fabulous wildlife sanctuaries that house some of the rarest and the most sought after specimens of flora and fauna found in the Indian subcontinent. The state is also the home to the breathtaking Khajuraho temples and has a number of old and historic cities. The wide range of handicrafts produced by the tribal population of the state make shopping in Madhya Pradesh a highly delightful activity.

Madhya Pradesh has a long and illustrious history that dates back to the ancient times of Indian history. Originally known as the kingdom of Avanti, Madhya Pradesh has been the seat for a number of great dynasties that ruled India, including the Mauryas, Kushanas and the Guptas. It was an important place for the practice and propagation of the Buddhist faith. The Chandelas ruled Madhya Pradesh in the early part of the medieval age, along with other Rajput families including the Paramaras. Bundelkhand was the capital of these royal dynasties. However, it was later integrated into the Sultante of Delhi and ultimately came under the Mughal rule, like most other regions of India. The modern age saw a number of Anglo-Maratha wars taking place over the control of this land. During the British rule, Madhya Pradesh became a conglomeration of a number of independent princely states, together termed as the Central Provinces by the British for administrative convenience.

The Wildlife Reserves and the National Parks of Madhya Pradesh are some of the greatest attractions of the state. More than 31% of the total land area of this state is covered by forests. The forest types vary from tropical to sub-tropical and feature an absolutely breathtaking variety of flora and fauna. Some of the most important National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Madhya Pradesh are as follows:

1) Bandhavgarh

2) Pench

3) Ken Ghariyal

4) Satpura

5) Pachmari

6) Gangau

7) Pench

Madhya Pradesh is a great destination for heritage tourism. The temple group of Kahjuraho is internationally renowned because of the its exquisite beauty. These temples, built in and around the 12th century AD, have been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The architecture and the carvings that adorn the temple walls never fail to impress and intrigue the visitors. The famous Buddhist stupa and monastery at Bhopal is another significant world heritage site. Apart from the above mentioned places, wonderful architectural specimens are found in the following sites:

1) Asigarh

2) Sonagiri

3) Mandleshwar

4) Omkareshwar

5) Ujjain

6) Bhopal

7) Chtrakuta

8) Chanderi

Madhya Pradesh has a high tribal population. They account for about 20% of the total population of the state. Some of the leading tribal groups of Madhya Pradesh are as follows:

1) Bhil

2) Baiga

3) Bhariya

4) Korku

5) Mariya

6) Halba

7) Gond

8) Sahariya

Most of the tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh are noted for their great skill at producing handicrafts. These indigenous items make Madhya Pradesh a great shopping destination for tourists from all over the world.

With such a varied range of attractions, it is not surprising that thousands of tourists visit the state from all corners of India and the world. Tourism has in fact developed as one of the most thriving industries in the state. Madhya Pradesh possesses many hotels that provide accommodation to the tourists, irrespective of their budgets. Some of the major hotels of Madhya Pradesh are:

1) Radisson Jass Hotel

2) Taj Usha Kiran Palace

3) The Central Park

4) Taj Chandela

5) Tiger Den Resort

6) Kanha Jungle Lodge

7) Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge

Madhya Pradesh is connected with different parts of the country through an excellent network of railways, roadways and airways. Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Khajuraho are some of the major airports located in Madhya Pradesh. The main rail head of the state is located at the capital city of Bhopal.

Madhya Pradesh is the largest state in India, covering an area of nearly 120,000 sq. km. Because of its an extensive forest area, Madhya Pradesh is not as densely populated as some of the other major states of India. The total population is a notch above 60,000, and Hindi is the most widely spoken language in the state.

How to reach Madhya Pradesh

By Air: A number of airports are located within the state. Gwalior, Khajuraho, Indore, Jabalpur including capital Bhopal, the state are major airports in Madhya Pradesh. All public and private airlines operate regular flights to these airports.

By Road: A strategic network of National Highways and State Highways interlink the cities of Madhya Pradesh to the other cities of India. The tourist destinations within the state located at convenient distance from Bhopal.

By Rail: Bhopal is the main key railway station in the state, which is served by important trains connecting it to the rest of the country.

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