Top 10 Places To Visit In Bhopal For A Fantastic Trip (2024)
Being the capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is quite famous in the world. The city is not only important in the administration of Madhya Pradesh but also it is pretty important in the history of India. Throughout the city, the evidence of the Mughal rule is pretty imminent. The city is beaming with culture and tradition. In case you visit there, you will be able to see that even though the city is pretty modern, yet the city is rooted in its ancient culture and traditions. The by lanes of Bhopal will take you back to a time without modern technologies. There are several places which you need to visit on your trip. But it is not possible to explore each place on a short trip. That is why this blog will help you a lot. As here, you will get to know about the best places to visit in Bhopal in detail.
As the Bhopal city has so many residents with different religious beliefs and cultures, you will be able to see places that depict that. Bhopal is a great place to shop as well. You will be quite contented with the price asked for the items in Bhopal. People usually buy things in bulk while visiting Bhopal. There are a lot of lakes in the city which makes it immensely beautiful and eco-friendly. You will find some of those lakes on the list offered in this blog. Reaching Bhopal is pretty easy. Not only does it have international airport, but it also has a bustling railway station. You will be able to reach from any part of India quite easily. Traveling from one part of the city to another is quite easy because the public transportation system of Bhopal is pretty good.
Top 10 Places To Visit In Bhopal For A Fantastic Trip
The following places to visit in Bhopal included in this blog are quite popular among tourists from all around the world. So, bookmark this page to plan a perfect trip to Bhopal.
1. Upper Lake
As you have read earlier, Bhopal is pretty well known for its gorgeous lakes. Among them, Upper lake is the most significant lake in the city. Local people of Bhopal also call this lake “Bada Talab” which roughly translates to a large lake. The reason for the name of the lake is that it has more than 30 million gallons of water. It is primarily the main source of potable water to the residents of Bhopal.
The lake was built by King Bhoj in the 11th century. It is believed by the locals, that the kind constructed the lake to get a cure from skin diseases. This lake is the primary source of irrigation for the farmers in Bhopal. If you visit there, do not forget to take a boating trip to the lake.
2. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is also known as the national museum of Anthropology. It is situated quite close to the famous Upper Lake in Bhopal. In this museum, you will be able to get detailed knowledge about the evolution of humankind. You will be able to get clear descriptions by the audio-visual archives provided by the museum authority. As the museum is spread across 200 acres, it is pretty difficult to explore every part of the complex in a day.
The museum also offers a detailed explanation of the different tribes living in Madhya Pradesh. You will get to learn a lot about the different cultures and traditions of the tribal people residing in the state. Usually, people spend around two hours there.
Entry Timings: 10 am to 5.30 pm.
3. Bhimbetka
With more than 500 rock shelters, Bhimbetka is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. In 2003, the site was listed under the UNESCO world heritage site. There are some paintings seen on the rocks of the site that are more than 30,000 years old. Moreover, some paintings out there are considered to be from the medieval period. If you visit there, you will be quite stunned by the color palette of the pictures. Even after so many years, they are pretty bright.
It is said that the paintings were made by using vegetables and blood of animals. If you visit Bhopal, you must visit Bhimbetka to see the only evidence of the South Asian Stone age in India. Remember to keep some time in your hand to explore the caves.
4. Moti Masjid
Constructed by the famous Sikander Jahan Begum of Bhopal, Moti masjid is one of the best places to visit in Bhopal. This magnificent mosque was built in the year 1860. The ruler who built the mosque is a female emperor who successfully slavery and introduced women empowerment in Bhopal. This mosque is locally known as the Pearl Mosque and it has a strong resemblance to the Jama Masjid in Delhi.
The two cupolas at the top of the mosque make the architecture even more beautiful. If you are a Muslim and want to pray at the masjid, try to visit there in the early morning to avoid crowds. As there are other renowned attractions like the Birla Museum or Lower lake located near the mosque, try to keep some time in your hands while visiting it.
Entry Timings: 6 am to 7 pm.
5. Jama Masjid
Built during the reign of Quidisiya Begum, Jama Masjid is one of the most renowned places in Bhopal. Not only is it the largest mosque in India but also in Asia. If you visit the mosque, you will be quite dumbfounded after seeing its architecture. Devotees from all around the world visit the mosque to pray and seek blessings. The original name of the mosque is Taj-Ul-Masjid which roughly translates to “Crown among mosques”.
As the masjid is spread over a massive area, you will need some time to explore the entire premise. The architecture of the mosque is so gorgeous as it is built of red stones which are carved magnificently. A small pond located near the mosque enhances its beauty. It is one of the places in Bhopal which you cannot miss at any cost.
Entry Timings: 6.30 am to 7 pm.
6. Udaygiri Caves
Udaygiri Caves is one of the best places to visit in Bhopal which was built in the 5th century during the reign of the Gupta’s. This site is not only important to Bhopal but also quite essential to the history of India. When you will reach the location, you will get to see the inscriptions made on the walls of the caves. The Archaeological Survey of India manages the entire site. As the location is closed at 6 pm, you should visit there as early as possible to avoid the crowd.
The location of the caves is a bit far from Bhopal, but the journey to reach the location is pretty beautiful. Remember to bring your camera with you before visiting the site.
Entry Timings: 9 am to 6 pm.
7. Sanchi Stupa
Sanchi Stupa is one of the most important archaeological sites in India. If you visit Bhopal, you must visit Sanchi Stupa, or else you will be missing one of the wonders of India. Built-in 3rd century B.C., this architectural phenomenal is a masterpiece. This site was constructed by Ashoka of the Mauryan kingdom. It is one of the most important sites for Buddhists throughout the world.
The Stupa was created by Ashoka to spread the teachings of Lord Buddha in the world. You will be quite stunned by the gorgeous architectural design of the site. The relics of Lord Buddha are present in a vault of the Stupa. You should keep a couple of hours in your hand to soak in the beauty of the fabulous site.
Entry Timings: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
8. Van Vihar National Park
Located pretty close to Upper lake, Van Vihar National park is a beautiful tourist spot in Bhopal. This place is especially important for you if you are a wildlife lover. Over there, you will be able to witness a large number of animals and birds of endangered species. When you will go there, you will be able to witness animals like Blackbuck, Sambar, Blue Bull, Cheetal deer, Wild Boar, Hyena, Porcupine, and others.
You can explore the entire area by hiking. People who love to get lost in the wilderness, prefer to visit the park quite frequently. Remember the park is closed on Tuesday. So, try to plan your trip accordingly. Moreover, to explore at least some parts of the park you will need at least two hours.
Entry Timings: 7 am to 7 pm.
9. Birla Museum
If you live in India, you might have witnessed beautiful museums or temples by the Birla’s in every important city in the country. This museum is also created by the Birla’s in Bhopal which is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Not only are the idols which are located inside the temple gorgeous, but the architecture of the site is also quite beautiful.
The museum is closed on any National holiday or Monday. So, keep this in mind before planning your trip.
Entry Timings: 10 am to 6 pm.
10. Raisen Fort
Located at a distance of only 23 km from Bhopal, Raisen fort is a gorgeous fort located on a beautiful hill in Madhya Pradesh. As the fort is over 800 years old, you will get to see the shrine of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba over there. The shrine was created in the 13th century. There are some mosques and temples located inside the premises of the fort.
If you are interested in history as well as archaeology, you will find Raisen Fort to be one of the best places to visit in Bhopal.
Entry Timings: 10 am to 5 pm.
All the sites included in the list are the most important sites to visit in Bhopal. There are other sightseeing locations in the city as well but you will not be able to visit each one of them on your visit to Bhopal.
