Bhopal (Area: 298.48 km2, Altitude: 427M, Population: 1,458,416) was originally known as Bhojpal named after the Parmara King Bhoj (1000–1055 BC) and the dam ('pal'). It is said to have been constructed to form the lakes surrounding Bhopal. At the end of the 16th century modern Bhopal was built up by Dost Md Khan on the foundation laid by Bhoj. In the 18th century Bhopal joined hands with the British and between 1857 -1926, Begums ruled Bhopal.

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and it is a fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, old historic city and modern urban planning. The city is 741 km from Delhi, 789 km from Mumbai, and about 200 kms from Indore. .Major Tourist attractions like Kanha, Ujjain and Sanchi are close by and well connected. Both railway station and bus stand are within easy walking distance of the main hotel area along Hamidia road.

How to reach: Bhopal is connected by regular flights from all major cities of the country. Airport is 15 km from the city center. Bhopal is on one of the two main Delhi to Mumbai railway lines and also on the main line to the southern state capitals of Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Thiruvananthpuram.  There are direct trains to Amritsar and Jammu Tawi and also to major towns in Madhya Pradesh. There are extensive bus services (private and state) to cities within the region and interstate.

Weather: The climate is moderate in Bhopal. The summers are hot and winters cold. But it does not face extreme weather conditions. It rains moderately during rainy season. The weather is pleasant through out the year.

What to see:

There are two lakes at the heart of the city. On the bank of the small lake there are narrow lanes, various Mosque, Palaces, shops and establishments i.e. a dingy city of the Begums (1819 -1926). Along the bank of the lake the highway reaches straight to the Shamla Hill. This hill offers a panoramic view of the city.

Van Vihar This safari-park is located on a hill adjacent to the Upper Lake, with an area of 445 hectares. In these natural surroundings, wildlife watchers can view a variety of herbivorous and carnivorous species. Open everyday, except Tuesday, from 7-11 am and 3-5.30 PM upper and Lower Lakes. The Upper Lake is divided from the Lower Lake by an overbridge.

Birla Museum and Lakshmi Narayan Temple is situated on Arera hill. One of the interesting tourist spot is its Tribal Museum. This open air museum is located on the bank of Great Lake, to the south of Shamla Hill. At the foothill of Shamla hill is State Museum and Rabindra Bhawan. Kamala Park is a memento of Rani Kamaladevi’s sacrifice of life in the lake to save her modesty from the Muslim invader.
The two lakes of Bhopal, 6km long the Great Lake and the Lower Lake attracts the tourists most, here is an acquarium with a collection of coloured fishes from all over the world.

At the centre of the Chawk, there is Saokat Mahal built in western and local Islamic style of architecture. Gohar Mahal built by Begum Khudsia in 1820 AD with Hindu and Mughal style, located on the bank of the Great Lake behind Saokat Mahal.

Taj-ul-Masjid in the old city is the biggest mosque in Asia. It was by Sahjahan Begum (8th ruler of Bhopal, 1868 -1901) and completed after her death. Jama Masjid built by Khudsia Begum and Moti Masjid built by Sikandar Jahan Begum, daughter of Khudsia Begum in 1860. It is an imitation of Juma Masjid of Delhi.  The palace of Dost Mohammad, the Afgan ruler of Bhopal, is in Islam Nagar on Bhopal-Bersia Rd, 11km to the north of the city. The palace is surrounded by garden and built in Hindu & Islamic style of architecture.

Raisen is 45 km to the N –East on Bhopal –Sagar, Sanchi and Vidisha are 20 km and 9 km from Bhopal. On the way, beside Raisen bus std there is ruined fort of 1200 AD on the top of the hill. This fort went to the hands of Rajput King Siladi in 1520 from the Malwa King. Later Mughal emperor captured the fort. To reach the fort one has to climb a steep incline for 30 mts from Durg, which is 1 km from bus std. In Raisen Fort there are temple, 3 palaces, can non, 15 water reservoirs, 40 wells.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 January 2010 20:44