In the middle of the country, Madhya Pradesh is called the “heart of India.” If you want to explore the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh for an incredible getaway, this guide can help you learn more. This state is home to ancient temples, glorious forts, green national parks, and sufficient hill stations. Be it the historian who gets carried away in pages of history or the lone trekker who finds solace in the bounty of nature or the spiritual force inside you that gets recharged with a spiritual pilgrimage – Madhya Pradesh delivers a vow that brings the assurance within you.
10 Places To Visit In Madhya Pradesh
MP has something for all kinds of travellers. Some of the most popular places visit in Madhya Pradesh include:
1. Khajuraho
Photo: Marcin Białek / Wikimedia Commons
Khajuraho is well known in India and worldwide for its extraordinary group of rock-cut temples and numerous fascinating sculptures depicting different aspects of life. Khajuraho Temples are among the 10th-century group of temples, but these depict the architectural capability of India. Some of the most well-known Temples are the Kandariya Mahadev Temple. If you are a history enthusiast or an art lover, Khajuraho is one of the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
Location: Chhatarpur District
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
2. Kanha National Park
Photo: Wikigringo / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most famous Madhya Pradesh tourist places, Kanha National Park, is renowned for its tiger reserve and lush forests. The reserve stretches up to a distance of 940 km, and there are the famous Bengal tigers, leopards, and other animals. The park also has the honour of being home to the setting of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book,’ so it is a perfect destination for lovers of both animals and literature. This may be one of the most popular lists seen in Madhya Pradesh, a state swimming in greenery and wildlife paradise in Central India, with stunning reflections all around.
Location: Mandla District
Timings: 6 AM – 10 AM, 3 PM – 6 PM
3. Ujjain
Photo: Suryansharma / Wikimedia Commons
Mahakaleshwar Temple, like the other twelve Ekadash Linga or Lingam or the emblematic figure of Shaivism, a fiery column, is one of the revered sacred places in the holy city of India dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is so because the city is one of the four stations in the Kumbh Mela, and countless devotees bathe in the sacred Shipra river. Madhya Pradesh is a spiritually rich State, and the city’s temples and serene ghats contribute to the spiritual aura of the place, making it compulsory for any pilgrim. Not only is it a religious hub, but Ujjain also offers historical insights, adding to its charm as one of the tourist attractions in Madhya Pradesh.
Location: Ujjain District
Timings: 4 AM – 11 PM
4. Pachmarhi
Photo: Abhayashok / Wikimedia Commons
A cool climate and natural beauty serenade this beautiful place. Pachmarhi is the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh (Satpura Range). Pachmarhi offers its tourists a chance where the Bee Falls make you touch the freshness of water and where the calmness cools the spine. It is still and calm, making it perfect to avoid the disturbing noise and bustle of the large world. Trekking, paragliding, and exploring waterfalls make it a must-see in the Madhya Pradesh tourist places list.
Location: Hoshangabad District
Timings: Open all day
5. Gwalior
Photo: Suyash Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons
The city of Gwalior is a historic and beautiful city situated in a large hilltop citadel that has generally not been touched by package tourists. Gwalior Fort is one of the oldest forts in India; it houses palaces and temples today. The fort’s structure has been built on this hill for over 1000 years. It is also a place where you can visit the Jai Vilas Palace, which gives an impression of how opulent the Scindia dynasty was. With its rich historical significance, Gwalior stands out as one of the prominent tourist attractions in Madhya Pradesh.
Location: Gwalior District
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
6. Bandhavgarh National Park
Photo: Kalyan Varma / Wikimedia Commons
Another great park for wildlife tiger sightseeing is the Bandhavgarh National Park. This park has the highest population of Bengal tigers, and people going on safari will have the deserved encounter. It is famously known as the inspiration for The Jungle Book and is home to the highest density of Bengal tigers among all wildlife reserves. Apart from this, the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort is supposed to be 2000 years old because it includes nature to add to the history. It is the most important tourist attraction in Madhya Pradesh due to its vast and captivating topographies and diverse wildlife.
Location: Umaria District
Timings: 6 AM – 10 AM, 3 PM – 6 PM
7. Sanchi
Photo: Suyash Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons
Sanchi is home to one of the oldest stone structures in India, the Sanchi Stupa, built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. It preserves some of the remains of the ancient Hindu temple. Sanchi is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most sacred and popular Buddhist pilgrimage sites due to the presence of several Stupas. It is a tranquil destination that reflects ancient India’s architectural and spiritual legacy, making it a prominent entry in the Madhya Pradesh tourist places list.
Location: Raisen District
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
8. Bhopal
Photo: Abhidev Vaishnav / Unsplash
Named after the home of this state’s administrator, Bhopal has given its visitors more reasons to familiarise themselves with this city through man-made and natural lakes. Much of its past is evident from the ornate structures, magnificent architecture of mosques and palaces, and crowded bazaars. Bhopal has a very beautiful backdrop, the Bhojtal, the great Taj-ul-Masajid, the Bharat Bhavan — All of these make Bhopal a city full of history and beautiful natural sights that is why it has been considered one of the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
Location: Bhopal District
Timings: Open all day
9. Orchha
Photo: Yann / Wikimedia Commons
Betwa river side town of Orchha has not gained much tourist attention, but the Palaces and Temples’ architectural delight is worth witnessing! Orchha Fort complex, which includes the Jahangir Mahal and Raj Mahal, are examples of Rajput architecture. It is wrapped in a calm spirit of old age, which satisfies contemporariness and history. It symbolises an ideal base for those visiting other less-explored Madhya Pradesh locations. It is metres from noise pollution and boasts it is a historical site ideal for those visiting newly discovered facts about Madhya Pradesh.
Location: Niwari District
Timings: Open all day
10. Pench National Park
Photo: Harshit Suryawanshi / Unsplash
Pench National Park is another attractive place for tourists in Madhya Pradesh. It is endowed with diverse wildlife and excellent scenic beauty. Boasting an almost impenetrable ground vegetation cover and wildlife such as tigers, leopards, and deer, the thick forest is an ornithologist’s paradise of tree-dwelling sparrows, babblers, and flycatchers framed by open savannas that act as a magnet for those willing to devote hours to searching for the more elusive inhabitants of the forest. It is considered one of the most in-demand places on the Madhya Pradesh tourist places list.
Location: Seoni District
Timings: 6 AM – 10 AM, 3 PM – 6 PM
This State of central India has a lot to say for it. It is a state that includes all the secrets, whether they are in woods, adventure, concern, spirituality, or history. One can imagine how many bright stories are to be narrated from the top places to visit in Madhya Pradesh alone. While choosing your travel route, check out which tourist places in Madhya Pradesh you would like to visit to enjoy its top sights and landmarks. Book your trip with TripXL for a hassle free journey.
Cover Photo: Shruti Singh / Unsplash