Madhya Pradesh
Known as Land of Heritage and Wildlife makes it known as heart of
India for being centrally located and is credited as home to cultural
Heritage of Buddhism , Janism and Islam in India
To the south of the ‘Golden Triangle’ is the huge state of Madhya
Pradesh. Its greatest attractions lie close to the northern frontier.
Less than 160km (100 miles) from Agra is the great ruined fortress at
Gwalior. To the east lies Khajuraho with its famous temples and
friezes of sensuously depicted figures – a must for any visitor.
Besides the M.P tourism development have developed a tourist village
to provide ancient type of accommodation to the desiring
Khajuraho
Khajuraho - the religious and political capital of the Chandela
Rulers, who built 85 temples to the glory of God, out of which only 22
remain today. The period 950 - 1050 A.D. - a mere 100 years, saw a
flowering of architecture in Khajuraho, which has no parallel. These
temples are designed to lead one's eyes from ground level ever upwards
to the ultimate heaven - "Kailash". They are ornately carved, with
each frieze and sculpture depicting the genius of the sculptor who
carved it and the king who inspired them.
The sculptures in totality, depict the everyday life of the people and
the court of the 10th and 11th centuries. The temples can be divided
into 3 main geographical groups:
Gwalior
The ancient capital of Gwalior is steeped in the splendour of its
past. A multitude of reigning dynasties, of the great Rajput clans of
the Pratiharas, Kachwahas and Tomars have left indelible etchings of
their rule in this city of palaces, temples and monuments. The
magnificent mementos of a glorious past have been preserved with care,
giving Gwalior an unique and timeless, appeal.
Bhopal
The capital of the State of Madhya Pradesh was founded by Raja
Bhooja in the 11th century. The city and its surroundings are a good
example of the co-existence of the old and the new. Bhopal is the base
from which you visit Bhimbetka, Sanchi & Ujjain than for what the city
itself can offer the tourist. The picturesque lakes, Jama Masjid,
Taj-ul-Masjid, Birla Mandir and Archaeological Museum, Laxmi Narayan
Temple, a museum of modern, urban and rural arts situated on Lake View
road are some of the main tourist spots within Bhopal.
Kanha National Park
Set in the state of Madhya Pradesh in the heart of India, Kanha
National Park spreads over 1945 square kms of dense sal forest
interspersed with extensive meadows and clumps of wild bamboo. Its
meadows have some of the largest congregations of spotted deer. This
area, "Kipling country", is where the jungle books of Rudyard Kipling
were conceived.
Kanha's topography and geography give it a wide diversity in habitat.
Much of the observation and viewing of wildlife is done on elephant
back. It is also the last refuge of the dhole or the wild dog. It was
in this park that the first ever scientific study of the tiger was
undertaken by the famous zoologist Geirge Schaller. Primarily known
for its tigers, Kanha also has the gaur within its borders and is also
the exclusive preserve for the barasingha deer, so named after its
twelve pointed antlers. This species is one of the jewels of Kanha.
Bandhavgarh
5 hours drive from Kanha is the Bandhavgarh National Park named
after an ancient rock fortress in its centre. Till recently it spanned
an area of 104 square Kms and had about 25 tigers, one of the highest
concentrations of tigers in relation to the area.
The area has 32 hills and cliffs and the cliffs of the fort are 800m
high. Bandhavgarh's history goes back to 2000 years. The area has
hundreds of old caves with Brahmi inscriptions dating from the 1st
Century B.C. This is where the famous white tiger of Rewa comes from.
Bandhavgarh is a small fragile forest area but special like
Ranthambore, because it is where history and nature meet.
A verities of animals like the nilgai, chausingha, wild boar, jackal,
gaur, sambar, muntjac, jungle cat, hyena, porcupine and ratel are
found here. The bird life is diverse. Green pigeon, Jerdon's leaf
bird, minivet and the steppe eagle are attracted by flowering and
fruit bearing trees. The ramparts of the of attract Vulture, blue rock
thrush and crag martin.
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