Bhopal is the capital of the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. It is situated in the Malwa region and like Rome is built on seven hills. Legend suggests that Bhopal stand on a site created by Raja Bhoj.

The modern Day City of Bhopal is a leading centre for performing arts. The city is teeming with art galleries, museum, theaters and libraries. It is home to the famous ‘Bharat Bhawan', the unique multi-arts centre designed by the celebrated architect Charles Correa.

There are many places of interest around the city of Bhopal e.g. Islamnagar, Sanchi, Udaygiri Caves, Visdisha etc.

HISTORY

Bhopal is named after its famous founder Raja Bhoj. It is believed that in the 11^th century, the Raja built a dam (Pal) here, which resulted in the formation of the three lakes found here. In the beginning it was known as Bhojapal. The modern city was developed by Dost Mohammed Khan, an Afghan chief who was the Governor of Bhopal, during Aurangzeb's rule. He took advantage of the confusion following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 and carved out a small kingdom for himself. Bhopal remained loyal to the Britishers through the 18^th century. From 1857-1901, SHAHJAHAN BEGUM ruled by SIKANDER BEGUM and from 1901-1926 Bhopal.

PLACE CHART

Bhopal is located in the western part of Madhya Pradesh. It is to the west of Jabalpur and to the east of UJJAIN, the other two major cities of Madhya Pradesh.

ALTITUDE

Situated on gently rolling hills, the city of Bhopal is located at an altitude of 523m.

CLIMATE AND SEASON

Bhopal enjoys a moderate climate. From June to September is the monsoon season. The summer season is from March-May, during which the climate is hot and dry. The mercury dips to nearly 10degC during the winter months (NOV-JAN). The best period to visit Bhopal is from Sept. to Feb.

CLOTHING

During summers, it is advisable to wear natural fibres as the mercury touches nearly 40deg C and synthetic fibres could certainly compound the situation. During winters however it is advisable to take some light woolens (to wear during the day) and heavy woolens for the night (depending on your susceptibility to cold).

LANGUAGES

The principal language spoken is Hindi. Like the rest of the country. English is spoken and understood here.

ACCESSIBILITY

Bhopal has an airport, it is connected to Mumbai, Indore, Delhi and Gwalior by regular flights operated by the Indian Airlines (office TT Nagar adjacent to MP tourism).

BY ROAD

Bhopal is well connected by road with the important cities of Madhya Pradesh. From the HAMIDIA ROAD Bus stand you can get buses for Sanchi, Vidisha, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur etc.

BY TRAIN

Bhopal is on one of two main stations on the Delhi to Mumbai railway lines. Besides the Shatabadi Express (daily service) which incidentally terminates here connects it with Delhi. Express trains to Mumbai, Agra, Gwalior, Jhansi, Ujjain and Sanchi also connect it.

SHOPPING

For shopping you can either go to the new market area in New-Bhopal or to the CHOWK in OLD-Bhopal. Go to the Chowk if you wish to breathe in the authentic Bhopali atmosphere and also if you want to get lost, as the Chowk is a maze of small alleys and streets.

In Bhopal you can get very fine gold and silver jewelry, beautifully woven saris, glass encrusted bags, richly decorated shoes, inlaid leather products, and hand embroidered applique skirts. If you wish to purchase the local handicrafts, then head for a shop selling MRIGNAYNI products (MARIGNAYNI is the registered trade name for MP State handicrafts product).

SHOPS

Most of the shops are closed on Monday. They are open from 0930-2000hrs.

MRIGNAYNI EMPORIUM: (23 New shopping Centre) Local Handicrafts.

HANDICRAFTS EMPORIUM: (HAMIDIA ROAD) souvenirs and local handicrafts.

MP state Emporium (GTB Complex, TT Nagar) shop here for Chanderi, Tussar and silk saris.

WOMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE ZARI CENTRE (PIR GATE) Chiffon sarees and bags richly embroidered with gold and silver threads

LOYAL BOOK DEPOT (MOTI MASJID) BOOKS.

VARIETY BOOK HOME (BHADBHADA RD) BOOKS.

BOOKS WORLD (BHADBHADA RD.) for second hand titles.

STATE ARCHAELOGOCAL MUSEUM This museum is located near the lower lake and has on display a small collection of 6^th century Hindu Sculptures, bronzes, prehistoric exhibits. Copies of painting from the Bagh caves can also be seen here. (OPEN: TUE-SUN, TIMING: 10am to 6pm)

RASHTRIYA MANAV SANGRAHALAY is a 40-hectare complex in the hills, where an attempt has been made to disseminate information about the life and culture of the tribals. Housed within the complex is the -:

TRIBAL HABITAT (MUSEUM OF MAN) Here in the open is a representation of 25 tribal dwellings set in an authentic village- like setting.

There are two information centres here and you also see prehistoric rock art sites which are scattered around the park. On Saturday at 4pm you can see films shows and also a craft and pottery demonstration. Extension to the complex are the anvil which will impart to the visitor a better understanding of the tribal way of the life. (OPEN: TUES-SUN TIMING: 10.30 am to 5pm)

BHARAT BHAWAN: This complex designed by Charles Correa is a center, which attempts to showcase and encourage verbal, visual and performing arts.

BIRLA MUSEUM: (ARERA HILLS) Located near the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, this museum has an excellent albeit small collection of well displayed rare sculptures (7^th – 12^th century) in the Shiva, Vishnu and Devi galleries. These sculptures belong mainly to the PARAMARA period (OPEN: TUES-SUN TIMING: 10an to 5pm)

TEMPLES

LAKSHMI NARAYAN TEMPLE: (BIRLA MANDIR) is the most famous temple of Bhopal.

MASJIDS

Bhopal has a number of Masjids evident of the fact that Bhopal was under the sway of Muslim dominance for a long period preceding India’s independence. Some of the well-known Masjids in Bhopal are:

TAJ-UL –MASJID: This huge mosque was started by Shahjahan Begum and was completed after her death. It is one of the largest mosques in India.

MOTI MASJID: This was built in 1860 by Kudisia Begum’s daughter Sikander Begum . Its design is based on the Jama Masjid of Delhi.

Bhopal has a lot to offer to discern visitors. There are Masjids, Museums, scenic spots art galleries, and artifacts belonging to the Neolithic age and also paintings done by pre historic man.

Following is a list of places of interest in Bhopal.

LAKSHMI NARAYAN TEMPLE

This complex designed by the famous architect Charles Correa, is today regarded as one of the most important center in India for the preservation of traditional art and craft of the tribals. Workshops are conducted regularly. Beside there are theatres where plays are staged and concerts of music and dance are held. The two part ROOPANKAR GALLERY showcase the art, culture and life of the tribals and also has on display some of India’s finest contemporary urban photographs and sculptures (OPEN: TUES -SUN TIMINGS 2pm to 8pm)

GANDHI BHAWAN You can view a collection of photographs of the Father of the Nation.

SHAMLA HILLS AND IDGAH HILLS

From here you can get a good view of the lakes and the city.

UPPER AND LOWER LAKES: The upper lake covers an area of 6sq-km. It is connected by a bridge to the smaller lake. Rowboats, pedal boats, sailboats and motor boats are available on hire.

There is also an AQUARIUM near the lower lake (OPEN: TUES- SAT, OPEN: 3pm to 8pm)

BIRLA MUSEUM

STATE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

RASHTRIYA MANAV PARK

The park is spread over an area of 445hectares. (OPEN: MON -SUN, TIMINGS: 7am to 11am & 3pm to 5.30 PM)

Here you can see animals like the tiger, lion and leopard in their natural surroundings.

EXCURSIONS

The Bhimbetka caves are at a distance of 40km from Bhopal. There are over 500 caves which have paintings done by the pre-historic man. Almost 700rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age have been recently discovered.

BHOJPUR Bhojpur founded by Raja Bhoj is nearly 28km from the modern city of Bhopal. Here you can see the ruins of a Shiva temple. There is also a Jain Shrine containing a colossal statue of Mahavira, over 6m tall. Raja Bhoj had built a lake here, which was destroyed by Hoshang Shah, the ruler of Mandu, in the 15^th century.

ISLAMNAGAR Located at a distance of 11km from Bhopal is Islamnagar. It was built by Dost Muhammed, the Afghan governor of Bhopal. Here you can see places built in both Hindu and Muslim styles. The formal garden and the Rani Mahal are also worth seeing.

Pachmarhi is an idyllic summer resort, nearly 210km from Bhopal. It is located at an altitude of 1067m and is ringed by the Satpura range.

NEORI

6km from Bhopal, There is an 11^th century Shiva temple here.

ASHAPURI Six-km from Bhopal is Ashapuri where you can see ruined temples and Jain palaces with statues scattered on the ground.

CHIKLOD Located at a distance of 45km from Bhopal. There is a palace here, set amidst, Sylva surroundings is very scenic and ideal for a picnic.

SAMARDHA is an ideal picnic spot, surrounded by forests. The place located at a distance of 26km from Bhopal.

Madhya Pradesh has a rich cultural heritage and now, here it is better presented and showcased than in Bhopal.

Bhopal is a culturally active city. There are libraries, museums, galleries, theaters etc. where workshops seminars and concerts are held regularly. Through these cultural centres attempts have been made to educate the people about Bhopal’s traditional arts and crafts.