Madhya Pradhesh, in central India, draws visitors with well preserved remnants of its compelling history. Its many abandoned cities provide an intriguing window to the past, so different to the congested India of today. In further contrast, the national parks of Madhya Pradesh offer some of the best wildlife spotting opportunities in India.
Here are the top Madhya Pradesh tourist destinations.
1. Khajuraho Erotic Temples
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2. Bandhavgarh & Kanha National Parks
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Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks are among the top national parks in India. Bandhavgarh, while being relatively difficult to reach, is the best place to see tigers in the wild in India. The sprawling Kanha National Park has the honor of providing the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel, The Jungle Book. The park is well regarded for its research and conservation programs, and many endangered species have been saved there. Elephant safaris are offered at Bandhavgarh, but not at Kahna. Both parks can also be explored on jeep safari.
Bandhavgarh National Park Travel Guide
Kanha National Park Travel Guide
3. Gwalior
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The great thing about Gwalior is that it's so accessible -- only two hours drive from Agra and the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh. Apart from that, the main attraction at regal Gwalior is its massive hilltop fort that towers over the city. Reputed to be one of the most invincible forts in India, its history stretches back over 1,000 years.
Inside the fort walls are a number of palaces and temples, the highlight being the Man Mandir Palace. At the bottom of the fort is the Old Town of Gwalior, brimming with history and fine examples of Mughal architecture such as the Tomb of Tansen. The Tansen Music Festival is held at the tomb every December.
4. Orchha
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5. Mandu
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The abandoned city of Mandu was once the lavish home of the Mughals, who indulged themselves by its many lakes and palaces. Mandu's crumbling buildings, encircled by a long 45 kilometer (28 mile) stretch of wall with 12 gateways, still hint of its grandiose past. It's a supurb place to retreat from the everyday chaos of India.
Mandu's attractions are scattered around three different areas. The Royal Enclave group, featuring the double story Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace), is the most impressive. The palace looks particularly alluring on moonlit nights. Mandu village is dominated by the Jama Masjid mosque and Hoshang's Tomb, while to the south lies Baz Bahadur's Palace and Rupmati's Pavillion. The pavilion is the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
