THE FOUR FOUNTAINS SPA @ BHOPAL

The Four Fountains Spa is India's first chain of affordable health spas. We offer spa therapies for de-stressing, de-toxification, immunity and beauty for men and women. Our therapies include more than 20 Indian and international massages, body polishes, body wraps and facials. Our spas are located in Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Goa, Manali & Bhopal and will soon be launched in Bangalore.

Contact Details:

Phone- 755-6644102 / 6644103

Website- http://www.thefourfountainsspa.in/

Address- S.10, Second Floor, DB City Mall, Bhopal 462011, India.

BUDDHIST MONUMENTS AT SANCHI

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989), Madhya Pradesh

On a hill overlooking the plain and about 40 km from Bhopal, the site of Sanchi comprises a group of Buddhist monuments (monolithic pillars, palaces, temples and monasteries) all in different states of conservation most of which date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and was a major Buddhist center in India until the 12th century A.D.

Open from sunrise to sunset

Entrance Fee:

Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - Rs. 10 per head.

Others: US $ 5 or Indian Rs. 250/- per head

(children up to 15 years free)

RENI PANI JUNGLE LODGE- SATPURA, BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH

RENI PANI JUNGLE LODGE

C/o Jehan Numa Palace Hotel

Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, located close to the lush green forest range of Satpura Tiger Reserve is spread across 30 acres of land. The pristine lodge boasts of 12 architecturally designed luxury cottages and is a perfect place to rejuvenate your senses amidst the stunning blend of landscapes.

Activities:

• Jeep Safari by 4 x 4 open gypsy.
• Elephant Safari
• Boat Safari
• Bird watching
• Tribal Village tour
• Tribal Dance can arrange on request

Resorts Facilities:

Library- The Library at Reni Pani Lodge Embedded in cozy corner of the “Gol Ghar”. The ambiance here is relaxing and the collection of books is varied, ranging from wildlife and knowledge book to a host of Leisure time reading material.

Leisure and wellness- The Lodge’s Pool is located bang on the Nalla, giving patrons a unique and luxurious experience of plugging (or Swimming) in ultimate wilderness.

Reni Pani Lodge also has message service which is utilizes numerous traditional indigenous message techniques to relax guest after park safari. 

 

Contact Details:

Mobile- +91- 999- 3099067

Phone- +91- 755- 2661100

Fax- +91- 755- 2661720

Email- info@renipanijunglelodge.com

Website- http://www.renipanijunglelodge.com/

 

Address- Reni Pani Village, Satpura National Park, Tehsil Sohagpur, District Hoshangabad Sohagpur, Bhopal- 462013, Madhya Pradesh, India.

BHOPAL CHOWK BAZAR

A visit to the Chowk (Bazaar), in the heart of the Old City, can be a wonderful way to gain insight into the daily lives of Bhopal's warm, friendly citizens. This is a fascinating area for a photographer or a life documentation to spend endless hours – the very heart of Bhopal. Bursting with old mosques and residences (Havelis) that hark back to olden times, teeming with shops that are a collector’s heaven, the Chowk is mesmeric in its offerings. 

Its ramshackle streets are lined with old havelis and atmospheric stalls; it's impossible not to get involved in the village vibe, where shopping, hard-core haggling, and gossiping occupy one's time. Shop around for embroidered velvet cushions, tussar silk, silver jewelry. You will be overwhelmed by the traditional Bhopali art and craft worked purses of velvet and the like! Not a place to miss at any cost – it is soul itself. It’s a must to visit this old city market and walk around the narrow lanes to see how the old city functions and also to get some great bargains on the special arts of Bhopal like the intricate bead work and the hand embroidery that Bhopal is known for.

BANDHAVGARH FORT

Bandhavgarh Fort is one of the oldest forts in Madhya Pradesh India. Considered to be more than 2500 years. One-hour trek up to the fort is worth the effort. The charm of this trek lies in discovering these monuments in the jungle, unspoiled and unexplored. There are about 32 hills and hillocks of Vindhyachal ranges in Bandhavgarh. Among them highest one is about 811mtr high. At this safe height, on a plateau of 4 sq. km. you find the fort, made in 10th century, on the top, called Bandhavgarh.

Bandhavgarh fort is 164 kms away from Jabalpur and you can easily take the local bus to reach the national park. Katni is the nearest station at a distance of 120 kms and this railway junction connects every corner of the country with the national park.

BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK

Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the wild life sanctuaries in the Indian state Madhya Pradesh. The national park is situated at 197 km away north-east of Jabalpur. This wild life park derived its very name from an ancient fort in the area. Bandhawgarh National Park belongs to the Vindhyan mountain ranges of central India and it boasts to have the highest density of tiger population in the country. Now there are about 46 to 52 tigers one can spot here. 

Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the finest national park in the India and has the distinction of harboring the highest concentration of tigers per unit area of forest. The Bandhavgarh National Park is spread over on area of 448 sq km with a cross area of 105 sq km. At the center of the park is the bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 meters above sea level and surrounding it are a sloping valleys, These valleys end in small, swampy meadows locally known as “bohera”. Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968. Since then many steps have been taken to retain.

Bandhavgarh National Park as an unspoilt national habitat for a variety of wildlife peculiar to the area. These includes gaur (Indian bison), sloth bear, leopard, porcupine, wild boar, sambhar and spotted deer, among others and of course, the tiger.

BHOJESHWAR TEMPLE BHOJPUR

Bhojpur is a town of historical and religious importance in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, India. Founded by the legendary Parmar King of Dhar, Raja Bhoj (1010-1053), and named after him, Bhojpur, 28 km from Bhopal, is renowned for the remains of its magnificent Shiva temple and Cyclopean dam.

The temple which has earned the nomenclature of the Somnath of the east, is known as 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.

Bhojpur is famous for the incomplete Bhojeshwar temple, which is dedicated to Shiva. The temple houses the largest Shiva lingam in India, which is 5.5 m (18 ft) tall and 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in circumference and is crafted out a single rock.

UDAYAGIRI CAVES

Udayagiri, in Madhya Pradesh, is a hitherto unspoilt tourist attraction in the locales of Madhya Pradesh. This place is famous for its rock-cut caverns and voluminous carved out sanctuaries in the hills of sandstone located in the Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh. The word Udayagiri, means the 'Hills of Sunrise'. Indeed, they are built in such a manner so as to welcome the first rays of the rising sun. Udayagiri caves are located approximately four kilometers from the town of Vidisha and about thirteen kilometers from Sanchi, which boasts of a stupendous Stupa, or Buddhist shrine. 

 It is estimated that these caverns were carved during 4th to 5th century A.D. At that time, the monarch of India was Chandragupta II. Thus, this can also be called another marvelous specimen of Gupta art. The grand entrance, the motifs and the intricacy and finesse of the artwork makes one wonder about the zenith of excellence reached by the artisans of this bygone era.

The caves have several statues of Lord Vishnu, one of the gods of the divine trinity of the Hindu faith. There's a statue of Lord Vishnu as the Varaha Avatar (or the Boar Incarnation) and also one of the reclining Lord Vishnu. 

To sum up, Udayagiri is a treat for tourists with an eye for architecture and sculpture and bears testimony of the grandeur of the Gupta era that augments the enjoyment factor of the excursions form Bhopal. 

 

BHOPALI PAAN @ BHOPAL

Betel leaf or Paan, as it is known in India, is an integral part of Indian culture and society. It is believed that the practice of chewing Paan originated in South East Asian Islands. The preparation of the Betel leaf or Paan acquired different forms and methods in India and besides the Banarasi Paan, it was the Bhopali Paan that conquered the heart of people. The Betel leaf or the Paan over time became very popular in the Indian Sub Continent. Noorjahan, the mother of the Mughal Emperor Shah jahan is said to have popularized the habit of chewing Betel leaf.

Bhopali Paan is an integral part of the Culture of Bhopal and a Bhopali Paan shop can be found at every nook and corner of the city of Bhopal. The preparation of Bhopali Paan is quite different from the Paans found in other parts of India. The Bhopali Paan is topped with various kinds of toppings which include chuna, kattha and supari. There are different varieties of Bhopali Paan and one can even get an order made Bhopali Paan. The people of Bhopal consider Paan making as a form of Art and therefore it is a part of their culture and heritage which has been passed down from one generation to the other. 

Bhopali Paan is a part of the tradition of the place and therefore everything related to it is very traditional which has been continuing for ages. The Beetel leaves are wrapped in a moist red cloth which is called 'Shaal baaf' and is kept in a metal casket called Paan- daan. The Paan Daan has several other compartments in which the other fillings of the Paan are stored. The Betel leaf or the Paan is said to be the most popular natural mouth refresher. Besides having refreshment value, Bhopali Paan also has digestive value and is often offered to guests after a hearty meal.