Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh often called the ‘Heart of India’ has kept in its credit the most famous erotic sculptures in the world, the oldest cave paintings in the world, the oldest Buddhist Stupa in the world and the largest wildlife sanctuary in Asia is the sight seer’s paradise.

Pradesh has crossed the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Iron Age where evidences of earliest human settlements have been found, where the Indian cultures have flourished in its own way.The words Madhya Pradesh means “middle province” which connotes its geographical location in the map of India surrounded by the states of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Tourist Attractions in Madhya Pradesh

The tourist attractions in Madhya Pradesh are dotted with innumerable tourist destinations in the form of monuments, exquisitely carved temples, forts, Stupas and places of historical importance with wide variety of flora and fauna. Some of the famous tourist attractions of Madhya Pradesh are Amarkantak, Bandhavgarh, Bhedaghat, Bhimbetka, Bhojpur, Bhopal, Burhanpur, Chanderi, Chitrakoot, Dhar, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Kanha, Khajuraho, Maheshwar, Mandu, Orchha, Panchmarhi, Pench, Sanchi, Sonagir, Omkareshwar, Shivpuri and Ujjain.

Monuments in Madhya Pradesh
As one of the prehistoric ancient states of India, the state of Madhya Pradesh is full of architectural heritage ranging from rock cut caves, Stupas, Viharas, temples, mosques to the three World Heritage Sites of UNESCO - the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi and the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka. The historical monuments of Madhya Pradesh are also maintained and preserved by both the State Department of Archaeology and Archaeological Survey of India. Some of the famous destinations of historical monuments of Madhya Pradesh are Bhimbetka which is famous for over four hundred rock-shelters containing paintings of men and animals; Vidisha contains a Brahmi inscription erected by a Greek, Heliodoras; Udaigiri is famous for twenty rock-cut caves; the Bagh caves are famous for paintings like those Ajanta and rock-cut Buddhist caves; the Stupas at Sanchi is famous for Buddhist Stupas and a damaged inscription of Ashoka; Bhojpur is famous for sculptures and architectural works at the Shiva temple; Khajuraho is famous all over the world for its magnificent temples; the city of Orcha is famous for the Jahangir Mahal and Raja Mahal; the city of Gwalior attracted the tourists for early temples of Teli-Ka-Mandir, the Sas-Bahu temple and the historical monuments with its beautiful Jali work and valuable antiquities.

Art and Craft in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is famous all over the world for its hereditary skills of art and craft, folk paintings, iron craft, terra-cotta, zari work or gold thread embroidery. However, some of the famous art and craft of Madhya Pradesh are reflected in various products like bamboo and cane works, dolls, floor coverings, jute, ornaments and jewelries, stone carvings, papier mache, stuffed leather toys, textiles and woodcraft etc.