Madhya Pradesh

Gwalior is the state’s northernmost city and a convenient entry point. Gwalior’s landmark is its hilltop fort which contains a fine museum and an ancient temple, among, other monuments. 120 km from Gwalior is the medieval city of Orchha with exquisite palaces and cenotaphs. Built by an 11th century king of the Bundela dynasty, Orchha is now a ghost city containing the remains of what must have been once spectacularly lovely monuments, and which combine Hindu and Muslim architectural. traditions. Shivpuri, atop a plateau, contains two picturesque lakes and a national park that abounds in species of deer and antelope. Khajuraho, an obscure village, no more than a clearing in the jungle, now captures world attention for its 22 temples built by rulers of the Chandela dynasty. Each temple, built of stone, is distinguished by carved spires and walls, where the subjects range from aesthetic depictions of major and minor deities and celestial beings to a variety of erotic sculptures. 

Bhopal

Altitude: 572 metres.
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 47.7, Min 24.9; Winter- Max 24.5, Min 9.1.
Best Season: October to March.

Bhopal, the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh, has grown around a large lake, the ornamental newer part of the city being roughly opposite the labyrinthine lanes of the old town. Craft - notably velvet handbags studded with stones, and lacy silverwork - is practised in narrow alleyways that lead off from domed mosques in the old city. Bharat Bhavan is a showcase of Indian art, folk traditions, sculpture and a centre for the performing arts as well. Bhimbetka, a few hours’ drive from Bhopal, is the site for spectacular cave paintings; Udaygiri, another excursion from Bhopal, has notable cave sculptures of religious themes. Sanchi is an unmatched repository of Buddhist art and architecture. Located on a secluded hill crowned by a group of stupas and gateways, it occupies a unique position in the history of Buddhism. Its stupas, chaityas, temples, monasteries and gateways are embellished by the most delicate carvings that depict various incidents in the Buddha’s life as well as important teachings. Good guide services, an essential part of sightseeing in Sanchi, are available here. A 90 km drive from Indore takes one across a narrow gorge, after the horizon widens abruptly, to reveal the deserted city of Mandu. Built as a testament of love by a Muslim ruler for his Hindu queen, Mandu’s air of, serenity and spaciousness offsets to perfection its palaces, temple and mosque which lie scattered over the 75 km of Mandu’s fortified area. Most interesting of all is the imaginative use that has been made of the surroundings. Thus Jahaz Mahal or Ship Palace is actually built in a pond on which it appears to float, and Hindola Mahal or Swing Palace gives every appearance of living up to its name.

Infrastructure
Air : Indian Airlines connect Bhopal with Bombay,Delhi,Gwalior,Indore & Raipur 
Rail: Bhopal on the main line is connected by rail to major cities in India. 
Road: Good motorable roads connect Bhopal to Bombay-789 km, Aurangabad-588 km, Ahmedabad-571 km, Agra-523 km, Delhi-728 km, Gwalior-422 km, Indore-187 km, Ujjain-189 km, Sanchi-46 km, Khajuraho-387 km, Mandu-290 km, Pachmarhi-210 km etc. 
Bus Services: Regular bus services connect Bhopal with Sanchi, Indore, Ujjain, Mandu and Pachmarhi. 

Places to see
Taj-ul-Masjid (3 km), Juma Masjid (5.5 km), Moti Masjid (4.5 km), Shaukat Mahal (4 km), Bharat Bhawan and Roopankar, Shamla and Idgah Hills. Chowk, Upper and Lower Lake (5.5 km), Gandhi Bhavan, Van Vihar.

Museums : 
Birla Museum 0900 - 1700 Hrs. Closed on Mondays. 
Central museum 1030 - 1700 Hrs. Closed on Sundays. 
State museum 1000 - 1700 Hrs. Closed on Mondays. 
Tribal Research & Development Institute 1030 - 1700 Hrs. Closed on Sundays & Second Saturdays. 

Bhimbetka (40 km), Bhojpur (28 km), Chiklod (45 km), Dhelwadi (62 km), Islamnagar (11 km), Neori (6 km), Raisen (47 km), Sanchi (46 km), Vidisha (56 kms), Ginnorgarh Fort (61 km).

Informations
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., 4th floor, Gangotri, T.T.Nagar, Bhopal-462003. Tel: 554340/43

Sanchi
Altitude: 427 metres.
Temparature (deg C): Summer- Max 45, Min 25; Winter- Max 22.5, Min 10.
Best season: October to March.

Sanchi has the singular distinction of having specimens of almost all kinds of Buddhist architectural forms, stupas, chaityas, temples and monasteries - the finest examples of Buddhist creative art and sculpture in the country. The architectural pieces and sculptures displayed here include the Ashoka pillar and images of Buddha and Kushan.

Infrastructure
Air : Nearest airport is Bhopal (46 kms). 
Rail: Sanchi lies on the Jhansi-Itarsi section of the Central Railway. First class passengers on mail and express trains can request for a halt at Sanchi. However Bhopal is convenient railhead. 
Road: Good motorable roads connect Sanchi to Bhopal (46 kms), Vidisha (10 kms) Indore (232 kms) etc. 
Local Transport: Taxis, Tongas & bicycles are available for local sightseeing and excursion. 

Places to see
Great Stupa No.1 , Toranas or Gateways, Stupa No. 2, Stupa no. 3, Ashoka Pillar, Buddhist Vihara, Monasteries.
Timing for the above monuments : 0900 - 1700 Hrs.
Archaeological Survey of India Museum. 
Timing : 0900 - 1700 Hrs.

Andhara and Pipalilya (17.7 and 12 km), Besnagar (12 km), Gyaraspur (41 km), Raisen Fort (23 km), Sonari and Satdhara (10 km), Udaigiri (13 km).

Informations 
1. Manager, M.P.S.T.D.C., Travellers Lodge, Sanchi. Tel : 223. 
2. The Superintendent, Archaeological Survey of India, Sanchi. Tel : 227. 
3. Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., 4th Floor, Gangotri, T.T.Nagar, Bhopal-462003, Tel : 554340-3 
4. Madhya Pradesh state Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., 74, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Bombay-400005. Tel : 2187603, 2184860.