The Best Places to See in and Around Bhopal
A potion mixed with a hint of history, a pinch of culture, and a spoonful of depth is what I seek ~
To describe it best, Bhopal is a city whose Mughal heritage and charm will keep you coming back for more! A city that filled my experience with many joyous moments; the magic of Bhopal goes far beyond its regal reputation of Nawabs and Begams, voluminous lakes, vintage jeeps, and delicious rezalas. Yes, what used to be a royal image in my mind too, Bhopal is now the city that has given me the taste of what I crave now and then in my life in Bangalore!
Beating at the heart of Incredible India, Bhopal is divided by a pair of lakes, each part exuding power and energy so different, yet so captivating! One side of the city is dominated by a traditional aesthetic of bazaars, havelis, and mosques, while the other bustles with shopping markets, resorts, and the Arera and Shamla Hills. Vikram and I were fortunate enough to bask in the beauty of this City of Lakes recently, courtesy of Jehan Numa Retreat.
The Best Places to See in and Around Bhopal: A Walk To Remember
Up before the sun, Vikram and I chose to leave the comfort of our luxurious bed at our Premium Cottage at the Retreat and join the Bhopal Heritage and Culture Tour organised by the Jehan Numa Group, guided by a storyteller and young historian, Sikandar Malik. It was a great decision indeed!
The tour spun us a historic tale of the city, enlightening us about the Mughal reign. We got to admire the recently renamed Bhojtal, the oldest man-made lake in India that was truly a sight for sore eyes! And as the morning progressed, we got to explore gems like Kamlapati Mahal, Gauhar Mahal, Shaukat Mahal, Sadar Manzil, and Taj-Ul-Masajid {the largest mosque in Asia and the third-largest in the world}. Every step deeper into the tour was a step closer to falling deeper in love with Bhopal!
As our tour progressed, the beauty and serenity of the sights unfolding in front of us got me thinking about the mere existence of man and how different every aspect is due to evolution. I remember my childhood in Benaras, where I was exposed to the rich culture, heritage, and architecture of the region while visiting historical sites during school holidays. At that age, I never truly understood why my mum was keen to have me experience that, but now as I stood through this tour, I understood exactly why. I’ve grow up into this person who jumps at every opportunity to experience places packed with history, art, and culture, and there is nothing about crumbling, old sites that does not fascinate me now!
The more we unravelled the city and the more I found the past glory of Bhopal illustrious, the more was I eager to explore the remarkable episodes written by history and folklore in the forms of stupas, caves, and temples around Bhopal, which was made possible the next day thanks to Jehan Numa Retreat. So here’s taking you on my journey souvenirs ~
Bhojeshwar Temple: A Tale Left Untold
Located 32 km from Bhopal is Bhojeshwar Temple, nestled comfortably on a mountain in a small town called Bhojpur. It is popular by the name, “Somnath of the East”, and houses one of the largest monolithic Shivalingas in its Sanctorum. As you enter the temple, wafts within the air is a sense of mystery, most of which is credited to the fact that its construction was abruptly halted and left undone halfway. The culture and architecture of the medieval times is still prominent with the carvings, leaving an open platform for your mind to strategise tales for this gem.
Visiting hours: The temple is open to the public on all days of the week from Sunrise to Sunset ~ 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Entrance fee: INR 10 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners.
How to reach: If you are planning on visiting the temple, which I highly recommend, you could have an early start to the day. Catch a private bus from Bhopal towards Mandideep, getting off at the diversion to the Bhojpur temple. And from there you may find your way into a shared auto to the temple.
Where to eat: We sipped on some chai and enjoyed snacks right outside the temple; so anyone looking for places to eat here, this is for you.
Remarks: Although abandoned before its completion, the Bhojpur temple has set itself up on a pedestal of mystery and grace, spreading its wings of culture.
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters: A Prehistoric Painting Come To Life
Sitting at the foot of the Vindhyan Mountains, Bhimbetka was discovered by Dr. Vishnu Sridhar Wakenkar in 1957. Located at a distance of 45 km from Bhopal, this archaeological site is renowned for its whopping 750 rock shelters. Spread over 10 km of land, the rock shelters are adorned with interesting paintings and inscriptions in mineral colours varying from green, red, ochre, and white. The Auditorium cave and its quartzite towers is the most picturesque of them.
Bhimbetka or ‘Bhimbaithak’ which means ‘The sitting place of Bhima’, hints at the early existence of man, evolving from hunter-gatherers to cultivators to spiritual beings.
Visiting hours: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week.
Entrance fee: INR 10 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners.
How to reach: Bhimbedka is a long journey you should prepare yourself well for. If in a group of people, I would suggest you hire a taxi from Bhopal. In case you’re a budget traveller, here’s my suggestion: you first will have to catch a bus from Bhopal going towards Hoshangbad and hop out at the T-Junction of Bhimbetka. Mind you, this is a painfully slow journey and will take you at least 2 hours to reach your stop, from which you still have a while to reach the rock shelters {approximately 4 km on foot}.
Where to eat: There is a guest house and restaurant at the T-junction which is run by Madhya Pradesh State Tourism, where I would highly recommend stopping by to rest your feet and get a good stretch in before you embark on your journey towards the site. This is also a good place to purchase water rather than at the roadside dhabas you will encounter on your way.
Remarks: Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bhimbetka captures colours of history, changing and adapting with the wind and weather! This is a must-see for those looking to quench their thirst for picturesque monuments.
The Great Stupa Of Sanchi: A Buddhist Magnificence
Located at a distance of 49 km from Bhopal, the world-renowned complex of Buddhist relics in Sanchi town is for those of you looking to experience the Mauryan pride and magnificence! With beautiful artisanship, The Great Stupa takes you on a visual journey of Mauryan art and architecture; all of what was the brainchild of Emperor Ashoka.
The site is truly a tale that captures you in all its natural beauty, culture, and history, and if you get to stay until sunset, gear up for one of the most mesmerising moments of your life!
Visiting hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM on all days of the week, except Fridays.
Entrance fee: INR 10 for Indians and SAARC Nationals, and INR 250 for tourists from other countries.
How to reach: It is a relatively easier journey to Sanchi if you catch a private bus going towards Vidisha or simply catch a train to Bhopal or Vidisha, but the latter are not as frequent so remember to plan.
Where to eat: As a UNESCO World Heritage site, The Sanchi Stupa attracts tourists from all over the world, and hence has cultivated into a travel-friendly area bustling with restaurants and food chains. I would personally recommend grabbing a bite at Sanchi itself, rather than at the roadside dhabas.
Remarks: Rightly chosen by Emperor Ashoka, Vedisagiri Hill makes the perfect location for this Buddhist establishment, as one can benefit from a quaint and solitary experience. Lose yourself to the beauty and spirituality of what is the calm in an ever-bustling city of Vidisha!
Udayagiri Caves In Vidisha: A Gupta Manifesto
Next on our tour, was the easy choice of the Udayagiri Caves. It is a site with twenty magnificent rock-cut structures, adorned with Hindu and Jain sculptures. At a distance of 57 km from Bhopal, these Sunrise Mountain Caves are considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites of India.
Reflecting on the art, architecture, and culture of the Gupta period, these caves made me feel like I had been teleported in time! An illustrious and exquisite representation of the local ‘Art’ form, the Udayagiri cave sanctuaries are in such a stark difference with Sanchi Stupa. As I stood there watching the beauty of the figurines carved into the stone, I thought to myself, this truly represents an archaeological masterpiece of India!
Visiting hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 AM
Entrance fee: INR 10 for Indians and INR 200 for foreigners.
How to reach: Visiting the Udayagiri caves is a good choice, paired up with a trip to Sanchi. Located about 9 km away from Sanchi Stupa, it is rare to find a direct commute to these caves, so a stop at Vidisha or Sanchi is the smartest choice.
Where to eat: Sanchi, Vidisha.
Remarks: Keep another day of your trip aside for Sanchi and the Udayagiri caves; because they both tell you a different story and each will leave you enthralled! With contrasting landscapes and cultural influences, the caves are a must-see for all those looking to soak in the historic remnants of India’s rich past.
Tropic of Cancer in Bhopal
We ended our day outing in Bhopal with a visit to the ‘Tropic of Cancer’. It is located where one of Earth’s integral latitude passes through and can be found on the Bhopal-Vidisha Highway, about 30 km from the city centre of Bhopal.
To conclude: Bhopal is a city that quenches the thirst of every traveller, no matter what their ideal vacation is! Encapturing the tone of being the heart of India, the city successfully pumps the country with everything and more! Bursting with art, architecture, history, culture, nature, and luxury ~ Bhopal is the “It Place” that needs to climb its way on your travel expeditions! An underrated destination, this city has skyrocketed my expectations for my next travel adventure!
There you have it, a detailed guide to the best places to see in and around Bhopal! You are now all set for an amazing Bhopal holiday! Get going and make those bookings!