Tourism in Madhya Pradesh
Tourism in Madhya Pradesh has been an attraction of India because of its location in the centre of the country. It has been home to the cultural heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc. Innumerable monuments, but exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts & palaces are dotted all over the state. Madhya Pradesh has won Best Tourism State National award for 3 consecutive years i.e. 2017, 2016 and 2015.
History of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh, state of India. As its name implies—madhya means “central” and pradesh means “region” or “state”—it is situated in the heart of the country. The state has no coastline and no international frontier. It is bounded by the states of Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, Chhattisgarh to the southeast, Maharashtra to the south, Gujarat to the southwest, and Rajasthan to the northwest. The capital is Bhopal, in the west-central part of the state. Area 119,016 square miles (308,252 square km). Pop. (2011) 72,597,565.
Best Time to Visit in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh, located in the heart of the country, can be visited in any season depending on the reason for the visit. The vast expanse of the state experiences varied temperatures in different regions and different seasons. Therefore, some areas could be suitable for summers, while some for monsoons and winters. For the tourists, however, it is best when visited during the winter (october - march) and monsoon (july - september) season as the temperature remains pleasant through the day (with mostly moderate rainfall during monsoons) allowing them to explore the tourist attractions to their satisfaction. Summers (april - june), however, are not always recommended as the state experience scorching heat, especially in the peak season.
How to Reach in Madhya Pradesh
The state of Madhya Pradesh is easily accessible from all corners of India. Its major cities including Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Ujjain enjoy a good connectivity by regular flights and long-distance trains with the rest of India. Travellers can easily reach Madhya Pradesh using the major means of transport like air, train, and road. The state has five air terminals, numerous railway junctions, and an extensive network of National Highways. Make sure to carry a Madhya Pradesh travel guide or a map of MP on your holidays.
By Air
The state has five main airports with good connectivity. The Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport (IDR), located 8 km west of Indore, is the largest airport in Madhya Pradesh. It is served by direct flights from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Goa. Airlines such as Jet Airways and IndiGo offer regular flights to and from Indore Airport to various Indian cities. Additionally, Raja Bhoj International Airport (BHO) in Bhopal, Dumna Airport (JLR) in Jabalpur, Gwalior Airport (GWL), and Khajuraho Airport (HJR) also have scheduled flights to major cities in India. Due to its location, it’s better to take a flight from Bangalore to Madhya Pradesh.
By Train
Most of the major trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Garib Rath expresses pass through MP due to its central location. The state has over 4,948-km long rail network, with Jabalpur serving as the headquarters for the West Central Railway Zone. The Central Railway and the Western Railway zones also cover parts of the state. The state has a total of 20 major railway junctions including stations at Ratlam, Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, and Khajuraho. Direct trains from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore take about 12 hours to visit Madhya Pradesh.
By Road
The 99,043-km long road network of the state also has 20 national highways including NH-7, NH-12A, NH-25, NH-26, NH-27, NH-69, NH-3, NH-92, and NH-12. Both interstate and intrastate bus services cover the length and breadth of Madhya Pradesh. The major interstate bus terminals are at Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur. The distance from Mumbai to Madhya Pradesh can be covered either by road or by train. The distances within the state’s major cities are huge for example it may take an overnight journey by car to reach Bhopal from Gwalior and Ratlam from Jabalpur.
Shopping in Madhya Pradesh
The most important buy in Madhya Pradesh will surely be the traditional handicrafts made by the tribes. Muslins that are exclusively produced in Madhya Pradesh are another must buy. The metal and iron crafts of Madhya Pradesh are sure to gawk you, and your hands will twitch to glaum the beautiful dolls and the exquisite jewelery. The boisterous markets and Bazaars will offer you with varieties of shops selling practically everything. You pocket will fall short of pelfs, but still your heart would want you to go on and on.Madhya Pradesh has ceaseless heterogeneity to offer its visitors. Be it home decoration, floorings, dress ware or even wall hangings, you will get it all here. Among the most popular buy are the tribal folk paintings, that are an exclusive item. The art and crafts in Madhya Pradesh have emerged successfully in retaining the essence of the bygone times. Stone carvings or the terracotta of Gwalior, are famous all over the world. Make sure you buy them. Madhya Pradesh is famous for its tribal jewelery. Though a little weird in appearance, they will surely be the most freakiest shopped item of your life. The textile weaving of the state are also cherished by the tourists. The Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees are an important item, while the silk of Raigarh and Champa are unavoidable. Leather items that comprises purses, bags and crafted diyas are best serve the purpose of mementos.
Best Things To Do in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh, in central India, draws visitors with well-preserved remnants of its compelling history. Its many abandoned cities provide an intriguing window to the past, so different from the congested India of today. In further contrast, the national parks of Madhya Pradesh offer some of India's best jungle lodges and wildlife spotting opportunities. Here are the top Madhya Pradesh tourist places.