80 YEAR'S OLD STEAM ENGINE NOW AT BOAT CLUB, BHOPAL

An 80-year-old steam engine being taken to the boat club on the banks of Upper Lake in Bhopal on 4^th August 2012 (Friday) for showcasing the country’s rail heritage to tourists. The Railways will install one of its old steam engines at the Boat Club on the banks of the Upper Lake here by May 31. The Indian Railways has decided to install one of its old steam engines at Boat Club near 'Bada Talab' (Upper Lake) here. In addition to this, a model of Bhopal's old railway station will be developed outside the club.

Railway officers intimated Urban Minister Babu Lal Gaur about this when he was on a visit to the site, said sources. Babulal said that the installation of a model of Navy battleship INS Shivalik has added charm to the club. The steam engine will undoubtedly make the site more attractive, he said.

MODEL OF INS SHIVALIK AT BOAT CLUB

YACHT CLUB AT MIDDLE OF UPPER LAKE

Yacht Club is made in 19^th century by Nawab Sultan Jaha Begam. In 19th century many nawabs was enjoying the hospitality of Yacht Club. 

The Yacht Club is located in water about 100 feet away from the edge of municipal Pump House near Van Vihar Road. Now the pillar of Yacht Club is only visible in the Badha Talab. Half immersed pillar in the talab awake the curiosity of tourists. Five decades ago from today, the place was buzzing with Tourists. The nawab’s special guests came here to enjoy the boating of Yacht club. But there is no charm now as before.

HOSHANG SHAH’S TOMB, MANDU

Hoshang Shah’s Tomb built in the 15th century (c 1440), this was the first tomb built entirely out of marble. The province of Malwa, in modern Madhya Pradesh, had as its capital the ancient Hindu city of Dhar, about 24 miles north of Mandu, till it was conquered by the Delhi Sultanate – by Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1305 A.D. - and a governor installed in place.

The tomb of Hoshang Shah was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan was so impressed with it, that he sent 4 of his architects to study the tomb. They left an inscription near the doorway, paying homage to the architects of the tomb.

This tomb considered as the first marble construction of Afghan culture in the Indian subcontinent region in earlier period. As with all conquests, among the first state buildings to come up were mosques, built with pillars taken from Hindu temples, very similar to the Qu’wwat-ul-Islam mosque at the Qutb, Delhi. Hoshang Shah, second King of Malwa, ruled for 27 years. His tomb is in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. He had a fine eye for architecture. There are beautiful specimens of Muslim architecture in Mandu.

Location- Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Entrance Fee- Citizens of India Rs. 5/- per head
US $ 2 or Indian Rs. 100/- per head
(Free entry to children up to 15 years)

MINTO HALL, BHOPAL

Nawab Sultanjahan Begum constructed the Minto Hall of Bhopal in the year 1909, keeping in mind the requirement of a guesthouse near the Raj Bhawan (then called the Lal kothi). The main architect was A. C. Rovan, the main contractors were Armstrong, R. A. Dhondi and Sayyed Ali. A fund of rupees three lakhs was spent over a period of 24 years on this construction. However soon the Minto hall was converted to an army cantonment, which was followed by a period of the hall being used as a convention center. Later a Hotel Lake View was established in the vicinity of Minto Hall during the era of Nawab Hamidullah Khan. For some time offices of the Inspector General of Police, Defense services and Civil services were also established in Minto Hall. 

Abida Sultan, the heir apparent, discovered and refined the new game of roller skates hockey on the floors of Minto hall. In the year 1946 Minto Hall was converted to a college called the Hamidia College, which later moved to its own building. After independence of India the Vidhan Sabha of Madhya Pradesh was established at Minto Hall. The Vidhan Sabha has been since moved to a new building in the year 1996. Since then Minto hall has been lying mainly unused, occasionally being the venue of some exhibition. 

During the year 2005, the central government decided to establish a International Convention Centre hub in view of attracting investment to Bhopal. Bhopal has many plus points which we must leverage -natural beauty, nearness to a major historical site like Sanchi and a hill-station like Pachmarhi. If 'heritage value' can be combined with a 'scenic location', a Convention Centre becomes unbeatable. Minto Hall, the old Vidhan Sabha building on the lakeshore, was chosen for the purpose. The Indian trade promotion organization (ITPO) visited Bhopal for an on-the-spot assessment of Minto Hall for this Convention Centre. Linked with this Convention Centre, we also propose to develop exhibition pavilions, so that major Trade Fairs can take place in Bhopal. A competition was organized for the architecture by EPCO for Government of Madhya Pradesh. The Small Scale Industry of Madhya Pradesh has been appointed the nodal agency for the construction of this convention center. A Five star hotel is also to be constructed, for which two sites has been proposed to Indian trade promotion organization (ITPO) - one in the vicinity of the Minto Hall and another at the Hotel Ashoka Lake View. The ITPO will visit both the locations soon and a venue would be decided upon. A fund of one crore and thirty-four lakhs has been released by the central government for this project as the first installment of the project.

ERA FOUND AT SAMSAGARH - JAIN TEMPLE, BHOPAL

Samasgarh, situated around 20 kms away from Bhopal near Ratibad, is believed to be discovered by a Jain Saint (Muni). It is said that the place was once renowned for an old Jain Temple. Now at Samasgarh, one can found ruins of one dozen Parmar era temples containing symbols of Shiva temple and Vishnu temple, hundreds of idols of Jain tirthankaras, remnants of the Jain temple etc. Two old water ponds are also located near Samasgarh.  This place was discovered 70 years ago by a jain Muni. 

Samasgarh was known for old Jain temple but will now known for Statues and ruins of Parmar era temple which had been recently found there.  It is first time that so many remains of Parmar Era have been found near capital. Inspite of the media hype they still lie unprotected and unmarked.  If one has to go to the site one has to depend on the local people who only know that some statues which were recently in newspaper have been found in their village. 

 

Ruins one dozen temples have been located, in which symbols of Shiva temples, Vishnu temples and other temples could be identified at the location near the old Jain temple.  The ruins suggest that these temples would be of the Parmara-era that may have been destroyed by some reason.  Historians believe that areas around the State capital were ruled by the Parmara King Bhoj and these ruins would definitely have been under his protection. Apart from Hindu, temples, ruins of Jain temples could also be easily identified.  There are two old water ponds/ well near the site.

BHARAT DHAM, BHOPAL

Bharat Dham, an imposing hill situated about 8 km from Bhopal is the highest peak in Bhopal. The place houses the sculptures of great Indian personalities along with their brief biographies. A Jain temple named Manuabhan Ki Tekri lies on the Bharat Dham with the idol of Adhishtayak Dev Shri Man Bhadarji is a pilgrimage and faith of Jain devotees. The Tekri is adorned with the footprints of Jain saints Shri Vijay Suriji, Shri Jinndutt Sureshwarji and Acharya Mantung.

On this peak, Bharat Dham is being developed which would house sculptures of great Indian personalities apart from their brief biographies.

SHRI MANGALNATH TEMPLE

Shri Mangalnath Temple (श्रीमंगलनाथ मंदिर), situated at Ujjain about 200kms from Bhopal is a highly reversed temple devoted to Lord Shiva in the form of Mangalnath. The temple is placed on a serene surrounding, overlooking the vast stretch of water in the majestic Kshipra River.; Built with white marble, Mangalnath temple is an amalgamation of Islamic and Hindu architectural style. The inner sanctum of the temple is adorned with a life-sized idol of the presiding deity, dressed in purple robes and seated on a throne. 

According to Matsya Purana, Mangalnath is considered to be the birth place of Mars. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva. Mangalnath Temple which looks upon a vast expanses of the Shipra River, offers an indescribable sense of peace to the tourists. It is situated at the place where the first meridian is said to pass the earth.

In ancient times, the place Mangalnath was famous for a clear view of the planet and hence is a suitable place for astronomical studies.Every Tuesday, devotees gather here to offer special pujas to the deity. The marvelous shrine located far away from the flurry of the city life, offers an unimaginable sense of tranquility to the tourists.

SOFIA MASJID, BHOPAL

One of the old masjid in Bhopal established by Mughal Empire in 16^th century.

Location- Near Koh-e-Fiza, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

FISH AQUARIUM, BHOPAL

Fish Aquarium is situated at Bhopal, near the Raj-Bhavan and old assembly hall. Established in May 31, 1977 and it covers an area of about one hectare and is built in fish like structure. In the lower section are 26 big aquariums. Here is kept collection of fishes brought from state and national lakes, rivers and ponds. This two floors structure has forty glass aquariums and 26 big aquariums.

FISH AQUARIUM of Bhopal hosts 66 varieties of fishes including ornamental and fresh water types.It houses various species of fish, including golden shark, paradise blue, rosy barb, king kobra, golden plata, golden gormi, tiger barb, black moor, king zebra, rohu, katla, mirgal, sawal and bam fish. 

VISITING TIMING-

From 1st April to 30th September from 1:00 to 20:00 hrs

From 1st October to 31st March from 12:00 to 19:00 hrs.

ADDRESS- 

Rajbhavan Road,Bhopal.

VIP ROAD, BHOPAL

"The way of VIP ROAD is from Old Bhopal to Bairagarh Road."

Address- 3 cm far from Central Bhopal, Near Bairagarh, Bhopal- 462011, Madhya Pradesh, India.