Travel to Bhopal

A venture out to Bhopal will be a beguiling trek which will unquestionably transport you to the quality and magnificence of the Nawab period. The historical backdrop of Bhopal goes again to the eleventh century AD, when the fabulous King Bhoja constructed it.

In any case, the establishing of the current city was by an Afghan fighter, Dost Mohammed, who escaping from Delhi in the confused period that emulated Aurangzeb's demise met the Gond monarch Kamlapati, who looked for his help after the homicide of her associate. An enchanting legend relates how the ruler would lean back in a lotus freight boat that, on moonlights, would float over the lake. The two pools of Bhopal still overwhelm the city and the city has likewise earned the name the 'city of lakes'.

How to Reach Bhopal

Bhopal, also called the city of lakes, is the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh.Tourists can reach Bhopal by air, rail and road.

By Air

Bhopal airport is 12 km from the Old City. Regular flights connect Bhopal with Delhi, Gwalior, Indore and Mumbai.

By Train

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. More Trains...

By Road

There are numerous daily buses to Sanchi (46 km), Vidisha, Indore (186 km), Ujjain (188 km) and Jabalpur (295 km).

Distance to Bhopal

• From delhi - 744 KM
• From hyderabad - 839 KM
• From kolkata - 1356 KM
• From bhubaneswar - 1192 KM
• From chennai - 1435 KM
• From guwahati - 1855 KM
• From mumbai - 779 KM
• From ahmedabad - 568 KM
• From patna - 911 KM
• From indore - 186 KM
• From nagpur - 352 KM
• From ranchi - 1069 KM
• From kanpur - 601 KM

Bhopal Distance Chart

Places to See in Bhopal

Birla Museum

Throughout the length and breadth ?of Madhya Pradesh you will come across innumerable galleries and museums that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region. Some of the important museums in the state deserve a special mention and one of those is the Birla Museum.

Birla Museum is an archaeological gallery that came into being in the year 1971. The museum has a huge variety and collection of artifacts and remnants from the pre-historic period. Here you can catch a glimpse of the artifacts and tools of the Neolithic and Paleolithic Age.

Gohar Mahal Bhopal

Situated behind the famous Shaukat Mahal - Gohar Mahal is located on the edge of the magnificent Upper Lake. The place is one of the must-see spots in Bhopal. The Mahal was built in the memory of Gohar Begum - the first female ruler of Bhopal.

The palace was built in 1820 which showcases the marvelous architectural genius of the time, making it a perfect amalgam of Mughal and Hindu architecture. Despite the fact that the Gohar Mahal is not efficiently maintained, the porticos of this palace still reflect its majestic appearance and portray the glorious days of the yore. This historical mansion holds an important significance for the state. Efforts are on to renovate the palace and restore its unique magnificence.

Archaeological Museum in Bhopal

The archaeological museum in Bhopal is considered as a priceless heritage of the state. The place holds an incredible collection of sculptures, paintings and artifacts of India. The museum is situated near the Lower Lake and is kept open for visitors, students and archaeologists who wish to visit and studying the artifacts here kept here.

The artifacts stored in this museum are different from those found in other establishments. The place primarily has the Bagh Cave paintings, carvings and statues that offer an insight into the rich cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh. The place also houses old religious statues of ancient times from different empires and kingdoms of the country.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple Bhopal

Constructed on the top of Arera Hills, the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Bhopal radiates a pious aura. Also known as Birla Mandir, the temple is dedicated to the famous Goddess of wealth - Lakshmi.
                         

Built on a hilly terrain, the temple commands a panoramic sight over the city of Bhopal. Apart from Vishnu and Lakshmi, the temple also enshrines Shiva and Parvati. The tranquil atmosphere offers divine comfort to the visitors. The temple is also a museum where you would find beautiful collections of various sculptures that hail twelve centuries back. The place has a historic charm which makes it a must see feature while visiting Bhopal.

Shaukat Mahal

Shaukat Mahal is the amalgamation of Islamic and Hindu architecture making it a rare combination that you would not find anywhere else. The building is located in the busy Chowk area of Bhopal. The Mahal is a tender melange of the occidental and oriental styles of architecture and art. It is said that the place has been designed and conceived by a Frenchman.
                              

Shaukat Mahal depicts more of Islamic style in its architecture. In addition, the post Renaissance, gothic and medieval styles have blended harmoniously to make this place unique. The building is constructed with intricate floral patterns on the walls that showcase the true beautiful architectural work. 

Lower Lake Bhopal

The Lower Lake of Bhopal locally known as "Chhota Talab" is located in the tranquil surroundings of the magnificent hills. The lake is separated from the Upper Lake by an over-bridge. The lake gives an aesthetic feel for which it has always topped the list of sightseeing places in Bhopal. The lake also provides an opportunity for adventure water sports such as sailing, motor boating, rowing etc.
                        

 The lake has been preserved by MP tourism department since it is a beautiful remnant of the Mughal Empire. You can enjoy water sports here and also plan a get-together with the family. The place is a favourite spot for kids' entertainment. The place can be easily reached by local transportation.

Upper Lake Bhopal

The Upper Lake of Bhopal is a huge water reservoir that lies in the Western part of the city. The lake is considered to be the biggest lake in Madhya Pradesh. Seeing this "Bada Talaab" one goes absolutely speechless. 

The lake is the major man-made drinking source for the residents of the city. This beautiful water reservoir is said to have existed since the 11th century. It is has a huge earthen embankment built across the Kolans River. The lake is visited not only for sight-seeing but also for customary beliefs as locals think its waters have the power to heal skin ailments. Apart from this, it is a favourite place among adventure lovers as it offers various sports activities such as paddling, rowing, and motorboats to indulge themselves.

Van Vihar National Park

Adjacent to Upper Lake, Van Vihar National Park is an important sight-seeing spot of Bhopal. Developed and maintained by the zoological department, the park is spread roughly across 4.43 sq km of area. It came into existence in the year 1983. This national park is a strictly protected and vigilantly monitored zone. 

The national park has dense vegetation which is a suitable habitat for many species of animals and birds. Van Vihar National Park has over 300 species of animals, reptiles and birds. The major attraction of this national park is the white tiger. People from all over the world visit this place to see this exotic animal. The park features a beautiful landscape amidst the incredible world of animals and birds. 

Shopping in Bhopal

Shopping in Bhopal is quite a fascinating experience .The markets in Bhopal have a picturesque ambience lined by old havelis and mosques. The two main markets in Bhopal are the Chowk and New Market.

Mrignayani Emporium and Handicrafts Emporium are two good places for souvenirs hunting and they also stock a good collection of local handicrafts. Women's Co-op Zari Centre, Pir Gate sells bags with some exquisite zari work (rich embroidery done with gold and silver thread) and chiffon sarees.

Bhopal is known for its tussar silks, a combination of cotton and silk which is very flimsy. It is said that Emperor Aurangzeb insisted that his daughter wear seven layers of it! MP State Emporium, GTB Complex, TT Nagar, specializes in chanderi saris and fabrics as well as tussar and other raw silks

Hotels in Bhopal

Budget Hotels

Hotel Mayur Address : Berasia Road, Near Bhopal Talkies City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462001 Phone No. : 0755-4254555, 4254556 Type : Budget Rooms in Hotel : 23 Maximum Room Rate : INR 1200 Minimum Room Rate : INR 500	Hotel?Manjeet Address : 3, Hamidia Road City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462001 Phone No. : 0755-2747401, 2747402, 2747403 Type : Budget Rooms in Hotel : 27 Maximum Room Rate : INR 1200 Minimum Room Rate : INR 500
Jehan Numa Palace Hotel Address : 157, Shamala Hills City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462013 Phone No. : 0755-2661100, 4235100 Fax No. : 0755-2661720 Email ID : reservation@jnph.in Website : www.hoteljehanumapalace.com Rooms in Hotel : 100 Maximum Room Rate : INR 23000 Minimum Room Rate : INR 8000	Kwalitys Motel Shiraz Address : Board Office Chauraha, Near State Bank Of India, Shivaji Nagar City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462011 Phone No. : 0755-2552513, 4032900 Rooms in Hotel : 20 Maximum Room Rate : INR 3200 Minimum Room Rate : INR 1500
Ranjeet Address : 3, Near Alpana Talkies, Hamidia Road City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462001 Phone No. : 0755-2740500/ 01/ 02/ 03 Website : www.ranjeethotels.com Type : Budget Rooms in Hotel : 29 Maximum Room Rate : INR 1200 Minimum Room Rate : INR 500	Welcomheritage Noor Us Sabah Palace Address : V I P Road, Koh-E-Fiza City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462001 Phone No. : 0755-4223333 Fax No. : 0755-4227777 Email ID : reservations@nusp.in Website : www.noorussabahpalace.com Rooms in Hotel : 57 Maximum Room Rate : INR 24000 Minimum Room Rate : INR 5500

3 Star Hotels

Hotel Amer Palace Address : 209, Zone-I, MP Nagar City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462011 Phone No. : 0755-3918110-14, 0755-4272110 Fax No. : 0755-2675308 Email ID : amerpalacereservations@gmail.com Website : www.hotelamerpalace.com Type : 3 Star Rooms in Hotel : 57 Maximum Room Rate : INR 11000 Minimum Room Rate : INR 3000	Hotel Lake View Ashok Address : Shamla Hills City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462013 Phone No. : 0755-2660090-95 Fax No. : 0755-2660096 Email ID : lakeviewashok@gmail.com Website : www.lakeviewashok.com Type : 3 Star Rooms in Hotel : 43 Maximum Room Rate : INR 7500 Minimum Room Rate : INR 4700
Hotel Palash Residency Address : 45, Bungalows, T T Nagar City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462003 Phone No. : 0755-2553006, 2553066, 2553076, 3259000 Email ID : palash@mptourism.com Website : www.mptourism.com Type : 3 Star Rooms in Hotel : 33 Maximum Room Rate : INR 3500 Minimum Room Rate : INR 2500	Ranjits Lake View Address : Van Vihar Road, Shyamla Hills City : Bhopal State : Madhya Pradesh Pin Code : 462002 Phone No. : 0755-2660600, 2660060 Fax No. : 0755-2660321 Email ID : info@ranjitlakeview.com Website : www.ranjitlakeview.com Type : 3 Star Rooms in Hotel : 20 Maximum Room Rate : INR 4200 Minimum Room Rate : INR 3000

4 Star Hotels

• The Residency Hotel
  Address : 208, Maharana Pratap Nagar, Zone-I
  City : Bhopal
  State : Madhya Pradesh
  Pin Code : 462011
  Phone No. : 0755-2556001-04, 4272706, 4272708 & 4252192-93
  Fax No. : 0755-2557637
  Email ID : info@hotel-residency.com
  Website : www.hotel-residency.com
  Type : 4 Star
  Rooms in Hotel : 58
  Maximum Room Rate : INR 10000
  Minimum Room Rate : INR 3500

 Food of Bhopal

The most authentic form of Bhopal Cuisine can be best tasted at the inner Chowks of the city which are lined with shops offering the best curries and kebabs. 

The most popular dishes in Bhopal Cuisine includes

Spicy achar gost

Keemas

Rogan josh

Korma

Biryani pilaf

Succulent kababs

Pulaos

Besides these popular dishes, Bhopal cuisine also has some of the most interesting preparations. The Bafla is a wheat cake which is dunked in ghee is an ideal accompaniment with a thick bowl of Dal(pulses). Bhopal cuisine is incomplete without a sweet dish which is often a seasonal fruit. 

Travel Map of Bhopal