Madhya Pradesh has several tourist places that have attracted people from all around the world. It contains some of the most important archaeological sites in India, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sprinkled with a fair mix of prehistoric caves, pilgrimage sites, and sanctuaries, Madhya Pradesh has something for everyone. Tourists who come to Madhya Pradesh are often awestruck by the beauty of the state and its rich cultural and historical heritage.

How to reach Madhya Pradesh?

By air: The two major airports in Madhya Pradesh serve as the best air link to the state with other parts of India and abroad. The Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal receives both international and domestic flights. Alternatively, the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport in Indore receives domestic flights and a few international flights from Dubai.

By rail: Travelling to Madhya Pradesh by rail is possibly one of the best and cheapest ways to reach the state. Bhopal Railway Station is well connected to other parts of India and receives domestic trains from many Indian cities and towns. Additionally, Indore Junction is another major rail link that can be reached from any part of the country.

By road: If you want to travel to Bhopal from Delhi, you can take the NH 46 highway, which connects the two cities. Alternatively, you can also reach Madhya Pradesh from Mumbai through the NH 52 highway.

Top 15 places to visit in Madhya Pradesh

Here is a list of the major places to visit in Madhya Pradesh for travellers who want to explore the state to its full capacity.

Khajuraho

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The Khajuraho consists of a group of monuments that once were the places of worship for Hindus and Jains. These temples are located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. They are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are an extremely important part of Indian historical architecture.

These 25 important temples were built between 885 AD and 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty. The temples attract tourists from all over the world due to their fine craftsmanship and rich historical value. You can easily reach Khajuraho from Bhopal Airport by air. About 20 buses travel from the airport to take tourists to this beautiful location.

Pachmarhi

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Pachmarhi is located in the Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh. This amazing hill station also has rich historical value along with exceptional scenic beauty. Located at 1,067 m in a valley of the Satpura Range, the town has a high collection of viewpoints and waterfalls.

It is a popular trekking destination for many tourists who come to see the beauty of the Satpura ranges. The Pandav caves here also hold historical significance and should be visited as one of the famous places in Madhya Pradesh. You can also visit the Satpura Biosphere Reserve, which houses many animals like tigers, elephants, reptiles, etc. Tourists can easily reach Pachmarhi through the NH45 highway, which connects it to Bhopal.

Gwalior

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Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh is a city known for its palaces and temples. The major attraction in the city is the Sas Bahu Ka Mandir which is a beautifully carved temple. The ancient Gwalior Fort is a major site among the tourist places in MP. The sandstone palace overlooks the city and can be accessed through a winding road that goes uphill. The road is also paved with several sacred Jain statues.

The fort complex also houses a 15th-century Gujari Mahal Palace, which now serves as an archaeological museum. The other places of interest in Gwalior are Jai Vilas Palace, Teli Ka Mandir, Gujari Mahal, Gwalior Zoo, etc. The Gwalior Junction railway serves as the main rail link to the city and is connected to major Indian cities like Bhopal, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, etc.

Udayagiri Caves 

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The Udayagiri caves are located near Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. These caves are a collection of 20 rock-cut caves which feature several Hindu sculptures from ancient times. Constructed in the 5th century CE, these caves are considered to house one of the oldest Hindu iconographies and are preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The site contains old sculptures of deities like Shiva, Shakti, and Vishu. The intricate designs on the walls of these cases reflect the artistic quality of the 5th century. You can take time to explore the caves and marvel at these ancient archaeological sites in India. These Caves are only 57 km away from Bhopal and accessible via Bhopal – Vidisha Highway.

Kanha National Park

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Kanha Tiger Reserve or the Kanha–Kisli National Park is one of the tiger reserves of India. This amazing tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh is well known for tiger sightings almost every day. People disappointed with jungle safaris not amounting to tiger spotting should definitely visit this national park to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures in the wild.

The Kanha area is divided into Hallon and Banjar and was created in 1955. People who tour the National Park also sight various animals like Indian leopards, deer, sloths, bears, barasingha, etc. A large number of birds are also found in the various trees around the reserve, which provide the perfect place for birds to nest in the summers. You can easily reach Kanha national park from Bhopal via NH45 and NH30 highways.

Park timings:

• 16th October to 15th February:- Sunrise to 11:00 AM and 02:00 PM to sunset.
• 16th February to 15th April:- Sunrise to 11:00 AM and 03 PM to sunset.
• 16th April to 30th June:- Sunrise to 10:00 AM and 03:30 PM to sunset.

Elephant Safari fees:

• Adult: 1000/- Rs per person
• Child(Age 5-12): 500/-Rs per person

Jeep Safari fees:

• Single Seat:- 663/- Rs per person
• Full Vehicle:- 3980/- Rs for 6 people

Orchha

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Orchha or Urchha is a quaint town located in the Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh. This town was established by the Rajput ruler Rudra Pratap Singh in 1502. This former princely state is now an important tourist destination that draws travellers from around the world. The site is a top place of interest among the tourist places in MP and is accessible by roadways and railways.

The monuments here see a complex mix of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The popular places to see here are Ram Raja Temple, Jahangir Mahal, Chaturbhuj Temple, Uth Khana, Lakshmi Temple, and the Chhatris. Tourists can take the NH44 highway from Bhopal to reach the city of Orchha.

Bandhavgarh National Park

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The Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh is another major tiger reserve in the state. Spread over 105 sq km, this biodiversity park has a fairly large collection of royal Bengal tigers. You can take a safari to the park and spot these tigers roaming in the wild. Additionally, you will also spot other animals like white tigers, leopards, and deer.

The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort can also be explored by tourists to come to these famous places in Madhya Pradesh. You can also find a variety of birds that reside on the sale trees of these grasslands. When visiting Madhya Pradesh, a visit to the Bandhavgarh National Park is a must for all tourists. Bandhavgarh can be reached from Bhopal via the NH 45 highway.

Park timings:

• 15th October to 15th February- 6:30 am to 11:00 am and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
• 16th February to 31st March:- 6:00 am to 11:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
• 1st April to 30th June: 5:30 am to 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Entry fees:

• Tala Zone Entry fees: Rs 1750 /-
• Guide fees: Rs 500/- per safariProfessional Guide fees:- Rs 1500/- per safari
• Professional Guide fees:- Rs 1500/- per safari
• Jeep fare: From Rs 3000 to 3500/-

Sanchi

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Sanchi is located in the Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh. This town is famous for its Sanchi stupa, which is an important site for Buddhists. The entire Sanchi complex is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is protected by the Indian government. The stupa was commissioned by the famous or infamous Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. It was constructed after the king had renounced violence and followed the path of Buddhism after the deadly Kalinga war.

The stupa displays an incredible example of Indian architecture in Madhya Pradesh. It is well preserved and highlights the high level of Indian artistic quality from the 3rd century. Sanchi railway station is the only rail link to the city and can be accessed by trains from Bhopal and other cities of Madhya Pradesh.

Ujjain

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Ujjain is an important city in Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. Among the best MP tourist places, this is the fifth-largest city in Madhya Pradesh. The city is a part of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the Shaivite tradition of Hinduism. The famous holy Kumbh Mela is held there every 12 years. The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is visited by lakhs of Shaivites and devotees every year.

The excavations at Kayatha near Ujjain have revealed many ancient chalcolithic agricultural settlements dating to around 2000 BCE. The other places of interest here are Shree Kaal Bhairav Mandir, Bhartrihari caves, Shri Chintaman Ganesh Temple, ISKCON Temple, and Sandipani Ashram. Ujjain Junction is the main railway station connected to the city of Ujjain. Tourists will find plenty of trains coming here from other parts of Madhya Pradesh.

Indore

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Indore is one of the most important cities in Madhya Pradesh. The city is famous for many Madhya Pradesh tourist places which are located in close vicinity. The city is also home to the famous Rajwada palace of the Hoysala dynasty. Additionally, the city is home to the Lalbagh Palace, which is another important tourist destination.

You can visit the city and travel to the nearby waterfalls, which are considered to be some of the best picnic spots in the state. The other places of interest here are Central Museum, Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary, and the  Kanch Mandir. The best way to reach Indore city would be via Indore railway station, which is well connected to Bhopal and other major cities in and out of Madhya Pradesh.

Bhimbetka rock shelters

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Bhimbetka rock shelters are one of a kind in Madhya Pradesh and contain a large number of prehistoric paintings. They are located in the Raisen District and are another important UNESCO World Heritage Site in India. The rock shelters showcase paintings from the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods as well.

Tourists come here every year from various parts of the world to observe these prehistoric paintings on the walls of the caves. The culture and life of hunter-gatherers are displayed through thaw paintings that showcase their way of life. These paintings hold a rich historical value and serve as proof of human existence beyond 100,000 years ago. Bhimbetka is located around 50 km from Bhopal and accessible via NH 46.

Mandu

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Mandu or Mandavgad is an ancient fort-city in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the famous places to visit in MP and was the subdivision of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom. Mandu was an important military outpost and the battlemented wall of 37 km around the place is proof of this fact. The wall also houses and encloses several palaces, mosques, and Jain temples from the 14th century.

The oldest mosque within its premises dates back to 1405 and displays the finery of Indian Mughal architecture. The Jama Masjid, or great mosque, is another notable example of Pashtun architecture. The other places to see in Mandu are Roopmati’s Pavilion, Baz Bahadur’s Palace, Rewa Kund, Darya Khan’s Tomb complex, and many more. Mandu is situated within 100 kms from Bhopal, which is one of the major cities of Madhya Pradesh. You can easily reach the city via NH47.

Amarkantak

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Amarkantak is located in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. This site, among the places to visit in Madhya Pradesh, is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Jains. Additionally, the site is known for being the meditation place of the famous poet Kabir.

The Ancient Temples of the Kalachuri Period are also a famous tourist attraction in Amarkantak. These temples were constructed by Kalachuri Maharaja Karnadeva between 1042 and 1072 AD. The other notable places of interest in Amarkantak are Narmada Kund, Shri Yantra Mandir, Narmada Temple, Mai Ki Bagiya, and Sonmuda Amarkantak.

Pendra Road is the nearest railhead to Amarkantak and is situated at a distance of 17 km from the city. Many trains arrive at this railway station from other parts of Madhya Pradesh. A short cab ride from the station will easily take you to this holy town.

Pench National Park 

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Pench National Park is another important tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. The park was established in 1975 and covered an area of over 250 sq km. The Pench river flows through the park and offers it the name of Pench national park. The park has a rich collection of dry deciduous forests and houses many animals like tigers, deer, and birds.

You can take an open jeep safari through the national park to spot the various animals and enjoy the beauty of nature up close. It is a great destination for people travelling with families and will serve as a good bonding experience. Wildlife photographers will also find the place to be ideal for nature and animal photography. You can reach Pench National Park from Bhopal via NH 46 and NH47 highways.

Park timings:- Every day from 6:30–11:30 am and 2–6 pm.

Entry fees:

• For Indians: Rs 15
• For Foreigners: Rs 150
• Vehicle Fee: Fee for Minibus with guide: Rs 150

Tour fees:

• Full Jeep (Indian): Week Days – Rs 7500 | Weekends – Rs 8500
• Full Jeep (Foreigner): Week Days – Rs 12000 | Weekends – Rs 18000
• Single Seat (Indian): Week Days – Rs 2000 | Weekends – Rs 2300
• Single Seat (Foreigner): Week Days – Rs 3000 | Weekends – Rs 4000

Jabalpur

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Jabalpur is a city in Madhya Pradesh that is situated on a rocky hilltop. The famous Madan Mahal Fort is located on the western side of the city and was built back in the 12th century. Additionally, the centuries-old Pisanhari Ki Madiya Jain temple is also an important tourist attraction that offers spectacular views of the city below. Other places of interest here are the Jain temple, Hanumantal Bada Jain Mandir, Rani Durgavati Museum, and Chausath Yogini Temple.

The city is also famous for the Bhedaghat falls, located only a few kilometres away. This spectacular waterfall is truly a sight to see and proves the unmatched beauty of Madhya Pradesh. Jabalpur has one of the most important railway stations in Madhya Pradesh. Tourists will easily find plenty of trains coming to Jabalpur station from other Indian cities.

FAQs

Is Madhya Pradesh worth visiting?

Madhya Pradesh has a rich historical heritage, complete with monuments from imperial India and prehistoric caves which date back to the earliest forms of civilisation. These amazing MP tourist places make the state worth visiting.

Which are some famous places in Madhya Pradesh?

Some of the best places to visit in MP include the Khajuraho Group of Temples, Rajwada Palace, Kanha National Park, Bhimbetka rock shelters, and Pench National Park.

How many days are enough for Madhya Pradesh?

To have a comprehensive tour of Madhya Pradesh, you will require around 7-10 days of vacation time.