1. Omkareshwar
Omkareshwar, a holy city at the confluence of the Narmada and Kaveri rivers, is home to one of the 12 venerated Jyotirlingas. Owing to the union of two valleys and the central pool of Narmada waters, it took on the shape of the Hindu sacred symbol “Om.” Its name comes from “Omkara,” which is just another name for Lord Shiva. It is home to the ancient sanctuaries of Omkareshwar and Amarkareshwar. Along with the pilgrimage sites, the holy town also has breathtaking scenery and amazing architecture.
There are two old shrines in the town of Omkareshwar: Omkareshwar and Amarkareshwar. The sacred town is located where the Narmada and Kaveri rivers converge. The island is left in the shape of the Hindu sign Om, which is one of the most respected symbols among Hindus, where two of the most important rivers in India converge. The mountains encircling the entire region provide a breathtaking vista. Kedareshwar temple is also a must-visit for all tourists here.
2. Gwalior
Madhya Pradesh is located to the medieval city of Gwalior. Gwalior, well-known for its fort perched on a hill, is replete with magnificent palaces and temples that lend the city an air of grandeur and a testament to its illustrious history.
Once home to India’s most illustrious nobility, Gwalior is a historic city founded by King Surajesan. The world’s largest carpet, which took nearly 12 years to weave, and the two largest chandeliers in the world, each weighing almost 3.5 tons, can be found at Jai Vilas Pala.
Gwalior is home to the mausoleum of the renowned Indian musician Tansen, who was born here as well. The city hosts a four-day Tansen Music festival every year in November/December, during which time classical musicians from across the nation take the stage next to the tomb.
While in the city, explore the many monuments and museums, indulge in namkeen and other regional specialties, and go boating in Tighra Dam.
3. Kanha National Park
The largest national park in central India, Kanha National Park is situated in a central region of Madhya Pradesh and is considered to be among the best parks in Asia. One of the main draws among the 22 kinds of big mammals is the regal Bengal tiger. The current territory, which is split into the sanctuaries of Hallon and Banjar, is a 940-kilometer square and is one of the best tiger reserves in India.
Since its creation in 1955, the park has made a significant effort to protect numerous endangered species. In 1974, the National Park was incorporated into the Project Tiger Reserve. Rich in vegetation and wildlife, the Kanha National Park is home to the Barasingha, one of the rarest types of deer. It is well-known for the unusual Barasingha dialogue that helped conserve the endangered species. This National Park, one of the most picturesque wildlife sanctuaries in Asia today, gained international recognition as a result of Rudyard Kipling’s novel The Jungle Book.
Kanha National Park is well-known worldwide for its wildlife safaris, which attract tourists from all over the world. Leopards, wild dogs, wild cats, foxes, sloth bears, hyenas, langurs, wild boars, and jackals are some of the park’s other noteworthy creatures. This National Park is also home to various species of snakes, cobras, pythons, and kraits.
4. Bandhavgarh National Park
The Bandhavgarh National Park, which was once the hunting ground for the Rewa Maharajas, is well-known worldwide for being a tiger reserve and for having the greatest concentration of Bengal tigers worldwide. All wildlife enthusiasts should visit this national park because of the regular sightings of royal tigers. There were between 44 and 49 tigers residing in the park in 2012. There are 250 species of birds and over 22 species of animals.
The Bandhavgarh fort, which is located nearby on 800-meter-high cliffs, is the source of the park’s name. Even though the fort is now in ruins, the hour-long hike there is still worthwhile because it offers great views of the surrounding area. One of the most well-liked tourist activities is going on jeep safaris.
5. Ujjain
Located in the Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is a historic city on the eastern bank of the Shipra River and is regarded as one of the holiest places in India. One of the four locations for the Kumbh Mela, which draws 100 million visitors, is Ujjain. The Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest peaceful assembly.
Because of this, Ujjain is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site. In addition, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to the god Shiva, the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, is located there. One of the most magnificent cities in ancient India was Ujjain, which was also renowned for being the center of learning for many Indian academics. Travelers from India and other countries find Ujjain to be a highly attractive destination due to its plethora of religious, architectural, and educational resources. The closest major airport, located in Indore, is 52 kilometers away from Ujjain.
6. Kuno National Park
Madhya Pradesh’s Morena and Sheopur districts are home to the Kuno National Park. Situated close to the Vindhyan Hills, Kuno National Park is one of the state’s great treasures. Situated within the broader Kuno Wildlife Division, the park spans 748 sq. km. It has an abundance of biodiversity. But there were no giraffes, tigers, lions, or cheetahs. Kuno National Park is now included on the map of worldwide conservation and rehabilitation due to the recent inclusion of cheetahs.
On September 17, 2022, the Prime Minister released eight Asiatic cheetahs into Kuno National Park after they had traveled from Namibia. The cheetahs, names Freddy, Savannah, Alton, Sasha, Cibli, Obaan, Saisa, and Asha, are three male, five female, and between thirty and sixty-six months old. They are said to be in good health. The public will soon be able to see these amazing animals in their natural habitat at the cheetah safari. In addition to its abundant greenery and diverse range of fauna, Kuno is home to medieval forts and other historic buildings.
The Kuno National Park is a wildlife and environment lover’s paradise, home to the Kardhai, Salai, and Khair trees as well as being renowned for having a high density of bird species. Although there are some rocky outcrops here as well, Kuno is mainly a grassland area named for the river that runs through it. Along with over 120 different bird species, the jungle cat, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, striped hyena, golden jackal, Bengal fox, and dhole may also be found in the forest’s protected area. It was first created as a wildlife refuge, and the government didn’t alter its designation to a national park until 2018. From July 1 to October 15, during the monsoon season, the Kuno National Park is closed.
After the cheetahs are released from quarantine, Kuno National Park will presumably be closely monitored to monitor their progress. Hopefully, this will include cheetah spotting excursions. Wildlife enthusiasts can still take in all that the national park has to offer in terms of history and natural beauty till then.
7. Indore
The largest and most populated city in Madhya Pradesh is called Indore. Situated atop the Malwa Plateau, this city’s allure is rooted in its abundant cultural legacy, which has been conserved for many years, along with subtle traces of urbanization.
During the modern age, Indore has been at the forefront of the nation’s growth. Indore, one of the nation’s center for education, is home to both an IIT and an IIM. Additionally, Indore is India’s cleanest city. Over time, Indore has made a name for itself as the state’s center for trade and industry. The Indreshwar Mahadev temple is the source of the city’s name, Indore. It is thought that while Lord Indra was meditating on this site, Swami Indrapuri guided him to build this temple. While in Indore, sample some of the regional specialties in Sarafa Bazaar, such as Indori Poha.
8. Bhopal
Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is well-known for its two man-made lakes, Upper Lake and Lower Lake, which divide it in half. The fascinating old town with its quaint mosques, busy bazaars, winding alleyways, and magnificent havelis is located to the north of the lakes. The new town, with its posh infrastructure, commercial centers, and expansive roadways, is to the south of it. This contrast is what makes Bhopal such a masterful fusion of the modern and the ancient, the historical and the contemporary, and the elegant and the rustic.
Bhopal is home to numerous magnificent mosques that display the finest examples of Mughal architecture. Two such mosques are Moti Masjid and Taj-Ul-Masjid, which are among the biggest in India and were constructed by Shah Jahan Begum, Bhopal’s third female queen. The city will captivate you with its incredibly stunning havelis and museums in addition to its delicious Nawabi cuisine, which is a culinary lover’s dream come true. Sadly, Bhopal also reminds us of the world’s worst industrial accident, which occurred at Union Carbide’s chemical facility and resulted in at least 8000 fatalities from the explosion alone.
9. Pench National Park
Located in the southern region of Madhya Pradesh, India, Pench National Park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including some that served as inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s beloved “The Jungle Book.” The park occupies an area of roughly 1100 square kilometers and crosses both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Pench National Park, well-known for its varied flora and fauna, is a sanctuary for both nature lovers and animal aficionados.
A multitude of wildlife species may be found at Pench National Park, such as the magnificent Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Indian gaur (bison), and spotted deer (chital) and sambar. It’s a birdwatcher’s heaven, with over 285 species of birds to be spotted, such as the Indian pitta, Malabar pied hornbill, and crested serpent eagle.
Pench provides captivating vehicle safari experiences that let guests discover the park’s varied ecosystems and fauna. In addition to wildlife safaris, it provides a calm setting for nature hikes and birdwatching. The Pench National Park is accessible to tourists from October 1 through June 30. From July to September, during the monsoon season, it is closed.
10. Maheshwar
This lovely town, which lies on the banks of the Narmada River, is commonly known as Madhya Pradesh’s temple town. Considering that the epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata both reference it, it also has a great deal of mythical and historical significance.
The Maratha Malwa kingdom’s queen, Rani Ahilyabai province in Holkar, had this as her capital. She added numerous public works projects and buildings to the city, showcasing Maratha architecture. Her opulent mansion was located in this same city. Maheshwar is a haven for shopaholics since it is well-known as the centre for the production of Maheshwari sarees.