GINNORGARH FORT, BHOPAL

Ginnorgarh Fort is 61 Km far from Bhopal and it situated at a distance of 3 km from Delawadi. Situated in a lovely forest, Delawadi is a beautiful picnic spot situated among lush green forest and amazing natural beauty. 

Tourists can enjoy trekking, camping and bird watching in the area. The historical fort standing on an isolated hill about 1,127 metres long and 266 metres. Broad is situated 3 km away from Delawadi. 

The fort was once a stronghold of Gonds, but fell to Mohammad of the Bhopal State. One important attraction of Ginnorgarh fort is the 5 floor pond (Bawdi in Hindi). Buses ply the route, but from Delawadi to the fort one have to travel on foot.  

PREM PURA GHAT, BHOPAL

                                     " Way to Prem Pura Ghat "

                              " Sunset at Prem Pura Ghat "

 Address- Near Bhadbhada Dam, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

BHIMBETKA CAVES (BHIMBETKA ROCK SHELTERS), BHOPAL

The Bhimbetka Caves are situated just 46 km from Bhopal. This is archaeological World Heritage site located in Raisen District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and they are surrounded by the northern limits of Vindhya mountain Range. As the legend goes, these hills got their name after Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers. The name 'Bhim-bet-ka' means 'where Bhim sat down'. The name Bhimbetka is associated with Bhima, a hero-deity renowned for his immense strength, from the epic Mahabharata. The word Bhimbetka is said to derive from Bhimbaithka, meaning "sitting place of Bhima".  

There are more than 600 caves that have the collection of oldest prehistoric paintings in India. These caves were found by Dr. V.S Wakankar, the famous Indian archaeologists in the year 1958. It took around 16 years to excavate the entire area covered by these caves. Although there are more than 600 caves, only 12 are open for tourists at the moment, but they show you the best paintings that are there in all other caves. And out of the 24 world heritage sites that have been recognized by UNESCO in India, Bhimbetka caves are the oldest one.

There are many interesting facts about these caves. These caves had been used as a shelter by people from the earliest of periods. Thus, you will find paintings of all periods starting from Paleolithic era to medieval era. The paintings turn out to be a mirror showing evolution of humanity through time. The style of the paintings of separate periods is so different that you can easily differentiate between them. The paintings of Paleolithic age are huge linear figures of animals like tigers, bears and rhinoceroses. As the time passed, the paintings became smaller, shapely and more precise. The paintings now depicted the daily chores of people like hunting and dancing. Slowly the artistry from raw art turned into religious images showing the change in the mindset. The oldest painting here is said to be around 12,000 years old, whereas the most recent is around 1000 years old. The colors used by the cave dwellers, were prepared by combining manganese, hematite, soft red stone and wooden coal. The paintings over the years have stayed unharmed by nature due to the reaction between the chemicals present in rocks and the color. Even animal fat and plant leaves were used in the mixture.

These caves have now become one of the most popular attractions in Bhopal. You can plan a day’s excursion to experience the relics on the walls of the caves, admire the solitude and spend a day in wonderment exploring the fascinating history of the ancient times.

SHAUKAT MAHAL AND SADAR MANZIL , BHOPAL

The Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil displays a combination of Asian and Western styles of architecture which makes this building stand out in the crowd of the traditional Islamic architecture of Bhopal.  The Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil is situated at the entrance to the Chowk area in the heart of the city. The Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil are two architectural curiosities of Bhopal. The Mahal is a blend of both oriental and occidental styles of architecture. The Mahal is supposed to have been designed by a decadent Frenchman who claimed to be a descendant of the Bourbon Dynasty of France. The building is very different from the rest of the Islamic architecture in the vicinity. The Shaukat  Mahal is flanked by the Sadar Manzil which served as a Hall of Public Audience during the princely period. This brick-red building has an ostentatious appearance, and the gardens that surround the palace makes the Manzil look as pretty as a postcard.

Shaukat Mahal is architecturally something of an oddity amongst the Islamic themed monuments in the walled city. It is rather western in its design, given by a Frenchman who was supposedly descended from the Bourbons of France. It combines Gothic influences with a Post Renaissance sensibility, and this combined with Islamic features offers quite a unique picture. You may also pay a little visit to the Sadar Manzil, once the Hall of Public Audience of the erstwhile rulers of Bhopal, now head office of the municipal corporation.

How to reach Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil -

The Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil is located at the entrance of the Chowk area, in the center of the city. It is easily reached by all modes of transport inside the city.

BHOJPUR, BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH

Bhojpur is a town of historical and religious importance in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, India. The Bhojpur Shiva Temple, or Bhojeshwar Temple, also known as Somanath of the East is an unfinished temple located at Bhojpur Village near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The Bhojeshwar Temple located near the Betwa River was founded by the legendary Parmar King of Dhar Raja Bhoj (1010-1055). A massive Shiva lingam rising to a height of 22 feet and made of a single block of polished stone is the main attraction in this ornate temple. The linga is one of the tallest in India. 

 

The temple which has earned the nomenclature of the Somnath of the east, the Bhojeshwar Temple. The temple was never completed and the earthen ramp used to raise it to dome-level still stands. Had it been completed, it would have had very few rivals. As it is, even with the ravages of time, it remains one of the best examples of temple architecture of the 11th - 13th centuries.

JUNGLE CAMP DELAWADI, BHOPAL

Delawadi 62 km from Bhopal. Situated in a lovely forest glade, Delawadi is a picturesque picnic spot, rich in scenic splendor and natural beauty. The lush forest cover enhances its beauty. Accomodation is available here at the well-furnished Forest Rest House. A nearby site of interest is the Ginnograh Fort, 3 km from Delawadi. a awesome place to visit with your freinds and family. Options available for trekking, camping animal watching. Historic views of the Ginnorgarh fort with the 5 floor bawdi (small artificial pond) is just spell-bounding. The place is well set with proper tent houses to stay in and food facilities.

CONTACT DETAILS-

Mob.:+919893172441

E-mail: delawadi@mptourism.com

Distances: Bhopal - 69 kms, Hoshangabad - 70 kms. Pachmarhi - 200 kms

Tariff Charges:

PRICE                                                          (PER PERSON)

1 Person                                                                     INR 4380.00

2 Persons                                                                   INR 2690.00

Extra Person                                                               INR 1400.00

20% increase in prices for Diwali, Dussehra, Christmas, New year and National holidays.

Facilities:

• ·         Tent accommodation
• ·         Restaurant
• ·         Open Lawn Area 

Accommodation in 7 AC Tents and One 4-Bedded Tent.

Sightseeing: One can also visit the nearby site The Ginnograh Fort that is about 3 km from Delawadi.

 

SANCHI STUPA @ BHOPAL

Sanchi is a small town on the outskirts of Bhopal, situated around 46 km from the capital city. The town comes under the district of Vidisha.  It is more of a village than a town. Sanchi is a religious place with historical and archaeological significance. Sanchi is known for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD The most famous of these monuments, the Sanchi Stupa 1, was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The place is related to Buddhism but not directly to the life of Buddha. It is more related to Ashoka than to Buddha. Ashoka built the first Stupa and put up many pillars here. The crown of famous Ashoka pillars, with four lions standing back to back, has been adopted as the national emblem of India.

Although the city is world known for these Buddhist sites, Sanchi does not have great significance or consequence in Buddhist history, though it is now considered as a pilgrimage town due to the monasteries that are present here. Emperor Ashoka came here and married the daughter of a local merchant. Sanchi thus became his center and he carried out the construction of many buildings. The Ashoka Pillar and the Great Sanchi stupa are the most exquisite works of that time. The Stupas were the earliest forms of Buddhist architecture that were the inspiration for many other buildings.

Along with the historical buildings, don't forget to visit the archaeological museum. It showcases the renowned image of four lions that once sat atop the Ashoka Pillar. Although a visit to the town is comfortable throughout the year, the best time is between the months of October and March. Hotel accommodations are available in plenty.

Jataka Tales

Jataka tales as do Aesop's fables teach generosity and self-abnegation based on previous lives of the Buddha as Bodhisattvas. As a Bodhisattva he took births as man, animal or bird. It is believed that the Buddha accumulated virtue by good deeds he did as Bodhisattvas and had attained merit for achieving nirvana in his last birth when he was born as the prince Siddhartha.

·         Six-tusked Elephant Jataka

·         The Great Monkey Jataka

·         The Vessantra Jataka

·         The Sama Jataka