Weekend Getaways

Central India might not be as well famed as the rest of the India in terms of tourism, but there are some fascinating destinations that the region holds. From ancient monuments to beautiful temples, Central India has just too much to serve the needs of a globetrotter. A weekend getaway is all it takes to refresh your mind, body and soul. Ranging from scenic views to adventurous activities, the getaways in the Central India are a rejuvenating experience. Let’s sneak a peek -

Amarkantak – Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh is a well frequented Hindu pilgrimage centre that is popularly known as ‘Teerthraj’ – the king of pilgrimages. With its rich natural heritage, the region is the meeting point of the Vindhya and the Saptura Ranges. The forest surrounding of Amarkantak has a rich variety of plants with medicinal properties, which makes the place significant from ecological point of view. Being here, will let you enjoy the beautiful vistas of nature, along with some popular religious attractions. This beautiful place is dipped in absolute serenity with the verdant hills, surrounding the entire town, decent climate, charming natural beauty, and bewitching waterfalls.

Bastar – Bastar spells magic with its name, creating images of river, exotic mountains and valleys, with lush green forests, diverse wildlife, natural caves and beautiful waterfalls. Apart from the picturesque beauty of Bastar, it is the amazing culture and ancient architectural monuments here that attract tourists from around the world. With so much to offer, it is quite natural to find the various Tourist Attractions in Bastar drawing heavy footfalls round the year.

Bhandhavgarh – A place of mythological and legendary significance, Bhandavgarh in Madhya Pradesh is famed for its National Park. 'Bandhav' in English means brother and ‘Garh’ means fort, and it is believed that the ancient Bhandhavgarh Fort was gifted by Lord Rama to his younger brother Lakshmana. The existence of Bhandavgarh dates back to around 2000 years ago, and you will find several man made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings. Also, famed as the land of tigers, Bhandhavgarh lets you explore some of the amazing attractions here.

Bhedaghat – A small village in Jabalpur city at Madhya Pradesh, Bhedaghat is a popular tourist spot. The holy river of Narmada passes through marble rocks, which offers a chance to enjoy boating whilst enjoying the natural beauty. Some of the major attractions of the region are Dhaundhar Falls, Marble Rocks and the Chaunsath Yogini Temple.

Bhimbetka – This beautiful destination in Madhya Pradesh is Disney Land for the history enthusiasts. Bhimbetka houses pre-historic rock shelters and some of the finest prehistoric cave paintings in South Asia. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, archaeologists are of the opinion that the caves might have been occupied over 10,000 years ago. The smooth surface of the rocks has led some scientists to believe that the area was once under water.

Chanderi – A small historical town in Madhya Pradesh, Chanderi is gradually making its place on the tourism map of India. Located in the Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh, the town has too many historic landmarks, reflecting the beautiful history of the land. Surrounded by exotic hills, lakes, and forest, this attractive destination is incredibly famous for Chanderi saris and historic monuments that draw a large number of tourists to this place every year.

Gwalior – Best known for its imposing hilltop fort, Gwalior holds an unparalleled reputation in the tourism map of India. The place has retained the charm of old Indian tradition and art. Historically, the city has been the cradle of a number of dynasties that ruled it over the years. Their influence is clearly seen in the many regal structures that dominate the cityscape. In a sense, Gwalior continues to retain a medieval majesty.

Kanha – Created in the year 1955, the aim of Kanha National park was to save the natural tranquility of the wildlife animals. Being the largest National Park in Madhya Pradesh, the Kanha National Park houses not just the big wild cats, leopards, barasinghas, but also a huge variety of avifauna. From catching the sights of imposing big cats to relishing your time in Bamni Dadar and Raneh Falls, you can expect to have a gala time exploring the gems of Madhya Pradesh that are in close proximity to Kanha.

Kanker – Officially declared as a district in the year 1999, Kanker forms an important tourist attraction in Chhattisgarh. Offering magnificent views with mountains, waterfalls, and five rivers namely River Doodh, River Mahanai, River Hatkul, River Sindhu, and River Turu, Kanker will make you fall in love with its beauty. These essentially comprise the chief Tourist Attractions in Kanker. The place also boasts of historical significance which dates back to the Stone Ages.

Khajuraho – An unbeatable destination for the devotees of art and culture, Khajuraho is home to some of the most priceless gems of Indian history. Blessed with abundance of architecturally rich attractions, everything about Khajuraho echoes the legendary stories of the past world. Located in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is famous for its string of Hindu and Jain temples built by the rulers of Chandela dynasty. The name Khajuraho has been derived from a Hindi word Khajur which means date fruit. It is surely a majestic place to experience the artisanship of the past and dig deeper into the history of India.

Mandu – The historic city in Malwa plateau, Mandu houses a large number of historic monuments. It was earlier known by the name of Mandavgarh & Shadiabaad, and under the Mughal rule Mandu was a pleasure resort. Mandu is the tribute to the love shared between the poet prince Baz Bahadur and his beautiful consort Rani Rupmati. Once the monsoon retreat of the Mughal Emperor, one can observe the ruins of palaces, ornamented canals, baths, pavilions etc in Mandu.

Orchha – Nestled on the banks of river Betwa, the historic town of Orchha in Madhya Pradesh is not one of those well famed cities. But, the town surely deserves a visit of its own because of its beautiful monuments that reveal the tales of battles between kings and emperors. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput Chief, Rudra Pratap. The town houses some of the most fascinating temples and palaces that will help you realise a childhood fantasy – travelling back in time.

Panchmarhi – Nestled amidst the lush greenery, Panchmarhi is the only hill station of one of the most visited travel destinations of India, Madhya Pradesh. Famed for its rich history, heritage sites and dense forests, Panchmarhi adds yet another flavour to the already beautiful state. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Panchmarhi is an asset to Madhya Pradesh tourism. A popular hill station in Central India, Panchmarhi lies in Satpura national park area due to which here forest and wildlife can be enjoyed with low public disturbance.

Panna – Famed for its diamond mines, Panna is a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Although the diamonds of Panna are not world class in quality and clarity, they are famously auctioned by the District Magistrate at the end of each month. The city also holds a lot of religious importance for the Hindus, and it was here that Mahamati Prannath preached the message of self awakening and also unfurled the flag of Jagani.

Sanchi – Sanchi is a small village in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, and is best known for its stupas and other Buddhist monuments. Sanchi gets its name from the Pali word ‘sanch’ which means ‘to measure’. Famous for The Great Sanchi Stupa built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC, the Great Stupa is considered the oldest stone structure of India, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Shivpuri – A town in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh, Shivpuri is an ancient town and a sacred place for Hindus in India. The name Shivpuri is derived from the Hindu God name Lord Shiva. Talking about the historical relevance of the town, its reference came in the Mughal Era when Mughal Emperors used to visit the dense forest of Shivpuri for hunting and camping purpose.

Ujjain – Ujjain is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism, and boasts a wealth of cultural heritage. Located on the banks of Shipra River, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh’s Malwa region is one of India’s holiest cities. The spiritual charm of Ujjain is undeniable, and famous poet Kalidas described the place as ‘The town fallen from Heaven to bring Heaven to Earth’. The city of Ujjain is also renowned for being one of the four sites for the Kumbh Mela. The rich cultural heritage of the place attracts huge number of people comprising devotees as well as domestic and international tourists.