Bhopal

The 'City of Lakes' and capital of Madhya Pradesh: beyond the Taj-ul-Masajid and the Tribal Museum, two World Heritage Sites lie close by – the Sanchi Stupa and the Bhimbetka rock shelters.

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, set on the Malwa Plateau in the heart of India. Its many man-made lakes, including the Upper Lake and Lower Lake, have earned it the nickname 'City of Lakes'. Legend credits its founding to Raja Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty in the 11th century. From the 18th century it was the capital of a Muslim princely state, and from the 19th to the early 20th century it was ruled by four successive women rulers (the Begums), who left behind landmarks such as the Taj-ul-Masajid, the Moti Masjid and lakeside palaces. The 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy also made the city known worldwide.

Sightseeing falls into three parts: the lakeside city (Upper Lake Boat Club, Tribal Museum, State Museum, Museum of Mankind, Bharat Bhavan and Van Vihar National Park) takes a day; the old city (Taj-ul-Masajid, Moti Masjid, Gohar Mahal and Chowk Bazaar) half a day; and the two nearby World Heritage Sites each need half a day to a full day – the Sanchi Stupa, about 46 km northeast, can be combined with the Udayagiri Caves and Vidisha in a day, while the Bhimbetka rock shelters, about 45 km south, pair well with the Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple at Bhojpur.

Climate: Oct–Mar is the most comfortable, with daytime highs of 20–28°C; Apr–Jun is scorching, reaching 45°C; Jul–Sep is the monsoon, when the lakes are full and the countryside lush green, though rain can disrupt travel.

Getting there: Bhopal's Raja Bhoj Airport has flights to Delhi, Mumbai and other cities; Bhopal Junction and Rani Kamlapati stations are major stops on the Delhi–Mumbai main line, about 8 hours from Delhi by Shatabdi Express. For out-of-town sights, hiring a car is recommended, at around ₹2,000–3,000 per day. Allow 3 days.

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