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India » Bhopal
 City Guide
 
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Raja Bhoja founded Bhojapal, the nucleus of India s largest state, in the 11th century. The present day city was established by an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed (1707-1740) who, taking advantage of the rampage following Aurangzeb s death, conspired with Queen Kamalabati to take over the kingdom.
Two large lakes dominate Bhopal, with the city flourishing in the periphery. The serene natural beauty offsets the hustle and bustle of the markets and chowks, while wide avenues, landscaped gardens and contemporary structures jostle for space against the pristine skyline. The laid-back attitude that seems to surround the city has been integrated into its essence and now is an intrinsic part of its lifestyle and culture. The cultural scenario is well developed with various tribal influences, which yield a rich and varied folklore.
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Air
Bhopal airport is 12 km from the Old City. Regular flights connect Bhopal with Delhi, Gwalior, Indore and Mumbai. Office of Indian airlines is in TT Nagar, adjacent to MP tourism.
Rail
Bhopal is on one of the two main Delhi to Mumbai railway lines.The railway station is near Hamidia road. Major trains going from Bombay to Delhi via Itarsi and Jhansi also go through Bhopal.
Road
There are numerous daily buses to Sanchi(46 km), Vidisha, Indore(186 km), Ujjain(188 km) and Jabalpur(295 km). There are no direct services to Mandu(285 km); you have to connect through Indore. A computerised reservation system operates between 11am and 8pm for all deluxe and long distance buses from there. MP Tourism operates an impressive air-conditioned bus to Indore.
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Languages
Hindi,Urdu,English
Population
22.50 lakhs
Area
284.9 Sq Kms
Climate
Summers are hot. Months May- June. Winters are cold. Months November - January.
STD CODE
0755
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Taj-ul-Masjid
Shah Jahan s Begum, Bhopal s eighth queen, started building this marvellous mosque in 1868-1901. However, it was completed years after her death in 1971. Reputed to be the largest mosque in India, in a delicate rose colour with a massive dome and minarets.
Upper and Lower Lakes
Raja Bhoja laid out both the lakes at the time of construction of the city. A bridge separates them and life revolves around them. There are facilities for boating at the Upper Lake. The Wind & Waves Restaurant, which overlooks the lake, is a great place for a hot cuppa!
Lakshmi Narayan Temple & Birla Museum
Also known as the Birla Temple with Vishnu and his consort as the temple deities. The Museum adjacent to the shrine is quaint with an amazing collection of sculptures belonging to the Paramana period. The favourite subjects being Shiva and Vishnu.
Bharat Bhavan
A centre for performing and visual arts, designed by renowned architect Charles Correa. The simplicity of the design merges harmoniously with the landscaped gardens creating the perfect visual. Within is a museum, an art gallery, a workshop for fine arts, a repertory theatre and rehearsal rooms. Indoor and outdoor auditoria and an extensive library of Indian poetry and classical arts add to the list.
Archaeological Museum
Near the Lower Lake, the museum has 6th-10th century artefacts including sculptures, prehistoric exhibits, statues of Lakshmi and Vishnu and copies of paintings of those in the Bagh caves (Mandu).
Tribal Habitat
Located on Shamla Hills, it is an open-air exhibition of different types of tribal dwellings. The actual size houses have architecturally perfect exteriors and intricate interiors.
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Sanchi
A Buddhist centre 26 km northeast of Bhopal. The site has no direct link with the Buddha but was the brainchild of Emperor Ashoka who built the stupas in the 3rd century BC. Subsequent additions were made over the centuries shaping it to emerge as one of the most prominent Buddhist sites in India. Close to Sanchi, there are many interesting options for bicycle excursions.
Bhimbetka
Comparable to the aboriginal cave paintings of Australia, the caves 45 km away are a must-see. The rock art is mainly in red and white pigments and remains almost perfectly preserved till date. The whisper of the teak and sal forests transport you back in time to an age where life existed as early as 12,000 years ago! 15 of the caves are accessible and are linked by a concrete path. The Zoo Rock Shelter is one of the more popular ones with a nice collection of animal paintings.
Bhojpur
The founder of Bhopal, Raja Bhoja built a third lake 28 km southeast of the city. The lake was held in check by huge earthen dams which comprised of stones set without mortar! Hohshang Sha (ruler of Mandu) destroyed the lake. However, the partially completed Bhojeshwar Temple that used to face the lake remains and is worth a visit.
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Full of quaint shops brimming with everything you might need or not need! The narrow lanes of Old Bhopal have similar items as the wider ones in New Bhopal. However, the cheaper rates in Old Bhopal bazaars make it the popular choice. A complete shopping experience for those who like to watch as well as those who like to shop.
Chowk, Old Bhopal - Gold and silver jewellery, embroidered sarees.
New Bhopal - Sarees, applique skirts, jewellery.
Mrignayani - State handicrafts shop.
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