Travel Tips for Travelling in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya is a centrally located state in India. Fondly known as the “heart of Incredible India”, this is a culturally rich state which is presently home to over 40 tribal communities and has been ruled by several dynasties - from the Marathas to the Mughals and more! It is the second-largest state in India, after Rajasthan, and has a significant Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist presence. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Khajuraho is one of the most prominent Hindu sites in Madhya Pradesh and Sanchi and the Udayagiri Caves are some important Buddhist and Jain sites, respectively. Not only is the state an important place for religious sites, but the forests in Madhya Pradesh are also dense and heavily populated with some beautiful flora and fauna. National Parks like Bandhavgarh and Kanha attract wildlife tourists for most parts of the year. So, whether you are a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or a nature lover - Madhya Pradesh is the right fit for you!

Madhya Pradesh Climate and the Best Time to Visit

The Madhya Pradesh climate is largely sub-tropical. The summers are extremely hot and dry (March to June), the monsoon season sees a decent amount of rainfall (July to September) and the winters are nice and chilly, not too extreme (October to February).

The best time to visit Madhya Pradesh would be in winter between October to March when the days are pleasant and nights comfortably cold. This is also the best time for wildlife safaris in Madhya Pradesh and sightseeing as well.

How to Reach Madhya Pradesh

By Air: There are several airports that connect other parts of the country to Madhya Pradesh by air. Indore is the only international airport in Madhya Pradesh, while Gwalior, Bhopal, and Jabalpur are some other major ones. The smaller airports with less frequent flights in Madhya Pradesh include Ujjain, Panna, Guna, etc.

By Rail: Madhya Pradesh is well connected by rail, falling under the West Central Railway Zone of India. With over 700 major and minor railway stations in Madhya Pradesh, one need not worry about the rail commute to this state! Jabalpur and Bhopal are the major railway station here, while others include Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Khajuraho, etc.

By Road: Madhya Pradesh is well connected by road, with both bus trips and self-drive road trips possible. The Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (MPSRTC) is the state-run bus service that connects most cities of Madhya Pradesh, as well as has buses plying from neighboring states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and even Delhi. Apart from MPSRTC, there are several private bus operators with buses running on many routes.

Places To Stay In Madhya Pradesh

The places to stay in Madhya Pradesh thankfully cater to all kinds of travelers and tourists. For luxury travel, there are several heritage resorts and 5-star hotels that one can check into. One of them is the Taj Usha Kiran Palace in Gwalior which is a striking palace from the 19th century. Another one is the Deo Bagh by Neemrana Hotels which is again in Gwalior. The Noor-Us-Sabah Palace run by Welcome Hotels in Bhopal is another grand palace-turned-hotel that will give you all the royal feels!

There are also several mid-range hotels and resorts scattered across the state. Some of the many examples include the Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel in Maheshwar, Kila Kothi in Chanderi, and the Betwa Retreat in Orchha. Most of these are managed by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department and give you the benefits of a luxury stay, without having to burn a hole in your pocket!

For the shoestring budget travelers and solo travelers, there are more than plenty of options available. Especially in backpacking hotspots like Khajuraho, Orchha, Bhopal, etc, there are homestays and backpacker hostels that will give you a homely, community-driven place to stay, while staying within budget. Some of these include Bistar Hostel in Bhopal, Sunset Hostel in Orchha, and Sunhouse Homestay and Moustache Hostel in Khajuraho amongst many others.

Popular Places to Visit in Madhya Pradesh

• Khajuraho: Khajuraho is best known for the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, which features erotic sculptures dating back to 900 AD during the Chandela dynasty. The groups of monuments in Khajuraho are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India and are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Orchha: Located along the banks of the Betwa River, Orchha is known for its Chaturbhuj Temple which has one of the tallest Vimanas of Hindu temples in the world. The Orchha Fort Complex and the Royal Chhatris or cenotaphs are other notable sites to visit in Orchha.
• Chanderi: Chanderi is a heritage wonderland and has many interesting places to visit. These include the Jami Masjid, Chanderi Fort, Jauhar Monument, Kati Ghati, Shehzadi ka Rauza, and Khandargiri Jain Temples amongst others.
• Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh’s capital Bhopal is a street food lovers’ paradise! Chatori Gali near the Jama Masjid area is a paradise for all things Mughlai. From various kebabs to sweet dishes, one can indulge in a proper food coma here!
• Gwalior: Gwalior is an ancient city and the cultural hotspot of Madhya Pradesh. Many of its arts and literature festivals take place here. Additionally, one can visit the Gwalior Fort, Sun Temple, and Jai Vilas Mahal in Gwalior.
• Ujjain: Ujjain is an important Hindu pilgrimage site located by the Shipra River. The Ujjain Kumbh Mela takes place here every 12 years and millions of devotees from all over the country come together for the event. There are a number of temples with deep religious importance that one can visit here.
• Chitrakoot: Chitrakoot is another place with religious importance dating back to the time of Ramayana. The 5 kilometers long circumambulation path around the Kamdagiri hill is one of the most popular things to do in Chitrakoot.
• Sanchi: Sanchi is a Buddhist pilgrim site where the three stupas are located. This is where two ancient scriptures were excavated from and placed in a temple. Apart from the stupas, there are also a number of other structures that go as far back as the 3rd century BCE.
• Bhimbetka: The Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are prehistoric caves that give evidence of human life during the Stone Age in India. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has 750 caves, some even featuring cave paintings!
• Amarkantak: Amarkantak is a beautiful heritage site where the Satpura and Vindhya ranges meet. This is also where the Narmada and Son Rivers emerge from. It is a scenic place with a number of ancient temples to visit. The forests of Amarkantak also extend into the Kanha National Park, making it a nature lover’s paradise!
• Pachmarhi: Pachmarhi is a hill station in the Satpura Ranges and is also a part of the Satpura National Park. There are a number of things to do in Pachmarhi including short hikes, waterfall visits, and visiting the Pandava Caves.
• Bhedaghat: Located by the Narmada River, Bhedaghat is known for the massive river flowing through beautiful naturally occurring marble rock formations. There are a number of waterfalls one can visit, and also some temples that are a point of interest.
• Pench National Park: The Pench National Park is a beautiful forest with a good tiger population in it. Also home to several birds, this makes for a wildlife lover’s paradise!
• Bandhavgarh National Park: Apart from tigers, the Bandhavgarh National Park is home to barking deer, gaur, hyenas, and wolves. This is also the home to Charger, the second-most photographed tiger in the world, who also appeared in an issue of National Geographic!