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. 

BEST COMMERCIAL PLACE IN BHOPAL- MP NAGAR (MAHARANA PRATAP NARAG)

M.P. Nagar alias Maharana Pratap Nagar is the major commercial area of Bhopal that houses many hardware and software stores, business houses, media and press houses, nationalized banks, coaching centers, shopping centers, showrooms, retail stores, restaurants, eateries and malls. Numbers of hotels are located within this area with varying tariffs to accommodate all types of customers. DB Mall, one of biggest malls in India, spreads over an area of 5 lakh sq ft is located at MP Nagar. The mall offers anchor shops, Retail shops, Multiplex, 4-star hotel, restaurants, Food courts and family entertainment center.  

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.