RAISEN FORT ( रायसेन किला )

Raisen is 23 kms from Bhopal, and is known for the Raisen fort and the Durgah of Raisen. Raisen fort is situated on the top of a hill with a few temples, palaces, a large water reservoir and numerous wells inside Raisen fort. The fort is about 800 years old. It is built on a hill and occupies the entire hilltop.There is a temple and mosque in the same complex of Raisen fort. Raisen fort had many domes inside, however, only two of them are left which are now abode of Bats.

Raisen is also known for the shrine of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba who was a well known Muslim Saint. The people in and around Raisen have great faith in the shrine and it is believed that the shrine can fulfill the desires of pilgrims. The origin of Raisen fort can be dated back to 1200 A.D. Raisen fort has been under the rules of various rulers.

History of Raisen Fort:

 

Raisen fort was under the control of Hindu rulers including Rajputs till 16th century. In 1543, the fort was captured by Sher Shah Suri and later by Nawab of Bhopal in 1760. Raisen fort was then under the control of princely state of Bhopal till Indian Independence (1747).

Way To Raisen Fort:

Raisen is well connected by roads to Bhopal, Vidisha, and Itarsi. Tourists can use Cab, Auto or Bus to travel to Raisen from Bhopal. Bhopal is connected with Sanchi through two routes, where one of the route passes through Raisen.

ASHAPURI NEAR BHOPAL

Ashapuri is a village in Obaidallaganj Mandal of Raisen District located at a distance of about 35kms from Bhopal. The place is well known for its old Jain temples. One can find the remnants of a thousand three hundred year old temple with statues scattered on the ground. Scientists of the Archaeological Department have found out the remains of 1300 year old ancient temples at Ashapuri village near Bhopal.

The debris of the temple seems to be massive in which the Bhoothnath temple was the biggest. The archaeologists have named this excavation project as 'Bhootnath Temple' series. "We have found ruins of temples dating back to 1300 years, even before the Parmar Dynasty. Before the Parmar dynasty there were Pratihar dynasty rulers in this area. After them the Parmar dynasty came. Pratihar dynasty rulers constructed temples with steeple shaped structure. These temples were large and beautiful," said Ashok Das, Commissioner, Madhya Pradesh Archaeological Survey of India.

"The 21 temples you can see here were made during the Pratihar rule. The largest temple whose cleanliness is yet to be done might have been made by the Parmar dynasty," he added. The excavators have found over 400 remains of idols of Hindu gods and goddesses made during the regime of the Pratihar and the Parmar dynasty rulers. The State government has taken the responsibility to preserve these relics of Indian history.

"It is the responsibility of the Archaeology Department to find things of historical importance and preserve them. That is why the State government is doing this work," said Laxmikant Sharma, Minister of Culture of Madhya Pradesh.

Near Ashapuri village there is one big dam also. According to the archaeologists, the temples and dam both were built by the Parmar and Pratihar dynasties and certain locals contended that the Mughal rulers razed down these temples.

BHARAT BHAVAN SUMMER FESTIVAL

Bharat Bhavan summer festival is one of the major festivals of Bhopal celebrated in Bharat Bhavan, the epicenter of cultural events. The main highlights of this cultural festival are the traditional music by famous classical musicians, poetry recitals by Indian poets, performances of folk dancers and drama troupes, art exhibition by eminent artisans etc. The festival is celebrated with great fervor every year.

Bharat Bhavan Summer festival has high recognition and acceptance in Bhopal and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor. The Bharat Bhavan Summer Festival is organized each and every year at Bharat Bhavan where various drama troupes, poem concerts, classical performances, traditional music and songs, folk dance and presentation of art paintings are displayed in the festival.

LOKARANG SAMAROH @ BHOPAL

Lokrang Samaroh, organised by Madhya Pradesh Adivasi Lok Kala Academy is celebrated annually on 26th January, during the auspicious day of Republic day. This five day cultural festival, based on the rich tribal and folk tradition of India, is celebrated every year with a definite motive. Sometimes the festival focuses on the West Indian cultural, explaining the heritage of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and sometimes on the North Indian cultures, explaining the heritage of Jammu Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Whatever it is, Lokrang Samaroh is mainly focused on a single geographical and Geo-cultural unit of the country.

The real motive of the festival is to remove the Geo-political differentiation and make India a wholly integrated country. The main highlights of the festival are classical dances, tribal folk dances, performing arts, exhibition of art and craft etc.

MANAV SANGRAHALAYA FAIR, BHOPAL

Manav Sangrahalaya Fair is a colorful fair held annualy in January /February at Manav Sangrahalaya, the national tribal museum of Bhopal. Large number of tribal artists from different parts of the country participate in this tribal fair to showcases their talents and skills. The fair exhibits the paintings and weaving made by the tribals of the region and the fashioning of bell metal into exquisite works of art made by them. Folk music and dance, potters workshops and open-air plays are also conducted as a part of the fair.