Heritage Tour of Madhya Pradesh

The Namaste India Trip representative will welcome you at Bhopal and drive you to the hotel booked for your staying arrangements. Post breakfast you will start exploring the ‘City of Lakes’- Bhopal, also the state’s capital. It is not only historically significant but also offers picturesque view. The urban planning of the city is constructed on the ruins of the 11th century ‘Bhojapal’ city which was founded by ‘Raja Bhoja’. After lunch you can leave the hotel again to visit the Lower and Upper Lakes and Van Vihar and the evening can be dedicated to the Mahaveer Giri, The Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan), Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya and the Government Archaeological Museum. Pick a ‘lake-side’ restaurant for dinner and get back to the hotel for spending the night.

On day 2 post breakfast you will leave for Sanchi which is 46km from Bhopal city in the eastwards direction. This Buddhist pilgrimage site gained reputation after ‘Ashoka the Great’ constructed a column and stupa in 3rd century B.C. (middle). Although, the place was expanded by the rulers that came after him it was thoroughly neglected till restoration work started in the 20th century. Today, a museum and park are constructed in this place and Sanchi has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Having completed your lunch here you will move onward with your journey to Udayagiri which lies 18km from Sanchi to visit the ‘Rock Cut Caves’ that were carved out in the times of the ‘Gupta Age’ reign. Get back to the Bhopal hotel for night stay.

Post breakfast on day 3 leave Bhopal to arrive at Bhojpur, 28km and 1 hour away. Here you can visit the ‘Shiv Mandir’ which is said to contain the largest ‘Shivling’ worldwide. After your religious spree is over, start for Bhimbetka that stands 35km from Bhojpur. This region is covered with the Vindhyas on the northern front, making it an attractive tourist attraction. The place is also called’ Bhima’s Lounge’ as it is believed that ‘Bhima’, the second Pandava prince of Mahabharata lived here during his exile. A massive ‘rock formation’ also stands witness to the fact that pre-historic tribes must have dwelled in this region. Recent excavation resulted in discovery of ‘Neolithic Age’ rock shelters which flaunt pictographic depictions, another interesting tourist attraction. Get back to Bhopal at evening for dinner and night stay.

On this day you will have an early breakfast so that you can start early for Khajuraho which is an 8-hour drive (approximately). You can have lunch on way and when you reach Khajuraho you will be checked into the hotel here for night halt.

Morning starts with breakfast after which you can start for the western group of Khajuraho temples, the Kandariya Mahadeo. Out here the largest temple is of the ‘Lord Shiva’ called ‘Chausath Yogini’ and is the lone granite based oldest temple (surviving). In the eastern group the ‘Parsvanath’, the ‘Adinath’ and the ‘Ghantai’ temples are the popular ones. After you have explored the temples in both the groups get back to the hotel in Khajuraho to spend the night.

On day 6 post breakfast visit the Devi Jagadambika Temple which is a 25-temples group located in Khajuraho. These temples were constructed by the Chandella rulers from 10th to 12th century and the main attraction, Devi Jagadambika Temple, situated in the north group is the finest decorated temple in Khajuraho. The sanctum of this temple beholds a huge Goddess image where you can seek spiritual bliss. Get back to the hotel in Khajuraho for dinner and night stay.

After breakfast, you will check out of the Khajuraho hotel and leave for Gwalior which is 5-6 hour drive. Enjoy local sightseeing in Gwalior and shop in the local market for the rest of the day and rest the night in Gwalior hotel.

On the final day after breakfast, you will be escorted from Gwalior to Bhopal to get back home safely with the heritage of Madhya Pradesh all stored in your memories.