Tourism in Madhya Pradesh

The natural environment of Madhya Pradesh is varied. Consisting largely of a plateau streaked with the mountain ranges of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras, the hills give rise to the main river system - Narmada and the Tapti, running from east to west, and the Chambal, Sone, Betwa, Mahanadi west to east. One half of the state is forested and offers a unique panorama of wildlife. In the National Parks of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Shivpuri and many others visitors have the opportunity to see the tiger, the bison and a wide variety of deer and antelope in natural surroundings. == World heritage sites ==

, largest temple in Khajuraho Although the modern state of Madhya Pradesh came into being in 1956, its cultural heritage is ancient and chequered. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts, and palaces on hilltops, raise in the visitor's mind visions of empires and kingdoms, of the great warriors and builders, poets, and musicians, saints and philosophers; of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The famous Sanskrit poet-dramatist Kalidasa and the great musician of the Mughal court, Tansen, were from Madhya Pradesh. They are known all over the world. Three sites in Madhya Pradesh have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO: • The Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986) • Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) • The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003) • The city of Gwalior and Orchha(2020) ( Not included as a world heritage site, pilot cities for the Historic Urban Landscape programme and survey ) == Significant sites ==

Jain temples , a Hindu Tirtha place, a site where three rivers Other architecturally significant or scenic sites include: • Alampur • Amarkantak • Asirgarh • Bawangaja • Bhopal • Chanderi • Chitrakoot • Chambal • Deorkothar • Dhar • Gwalior • Indore • Jabalpur • Maheshwar • Mandleshwar • Mandu • Muktagiri • Narsinghgarh • Narmadapuram • Omkareshwar • Orchha • Rewa • Sailana • Shivpuri • Shahdol • Sagar • Sonagiri • Ujjain Madhya Pradesh being very large geographically, and the history being spread over several millennia, developing a comprehensive picture of heritage and architecture is a monumental task. == National Parks ==

Madhya Pradesh is home to several National Parks, including: • Bandhavgarh National Park • Kanha National Park • Satpura National Park • Sanjay National Park • Madhav National Park • Van Vihar National Park • Ghughua Fossil National Park • Panna National Park • Pench National Park • Dinosaur Fossils National Park • Kuno National Park There are 11 national parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh. Apart from tiger, the national parks in Madhya Pradesh have animals like Leopard, Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Barasingha, Samber Deer, Wild Boar, Monkey, Peacock, etc. == Nature reserves ==

There are also a number of nature preserves, including: • Amarkantak • Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary • Bagh Caves • Bhedaghat • Bori Wildlife Sanctuary • Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary • Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Wildlife Sanctuary • Narwar • Pachmarhi • Chambal • Narsinghgarh • Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary • Patalkot • Parsili == Fairs and festivals ==

Customs and beliefs in each area in Madhya Pradesh have added colours to the fairs and festivals. Shivratri in Khajuraho, Bhojpur, Pachmarhi and Ujjain; Navratri and Dusshera in Jabalpur, Ramanavami in Chitrakoot and Orchha, Bhagoriya dance in Jhabua and the annual festival of dances at Khajuraho are events for the tourists to remember. The Malwa festival in Indore, Mandu and Ujjain, and the Pachmarhi festival bring alive the rich folk and tribal culture of the state in colourful celebrations. Gwalior trade fair is India's second largest trade fair. It is organised in various sectors which includes electronic sector, automobile sector, food sector, fun (jhula) sector etc. Gwalior carnival is a newly introduced festival in 2012. It was organised for 22 days in December. It is planned to organise carnival every year. Nimar Utsav takes place every year in the holy city of Maheshwar in the Hindu month of Kartika on the occasion of Kartika Purnima. The festival lasts for 3 days with a cultural programme at Ahilya Ghat in Maheshwar. ==Hill stations==

• Pachmarhi • Amarkantak • Shivpuri • Tamia == Gallery ==

File:Sailana_Palace.jpg|Sailana Palace, Sailana File:2100914-Tal_ul_Masjid_Bhopal.jpeg|Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal File:Jamgate.jpg|Jam Gate, Dr. Ambedkar Nagar File:Rupmati Mahal.jpg|Rupmati Mahal, Mandu File:Bhojpur Temple Front.JPG|Bhojeshwar Temple File:Chanderi.jpg|Chanderi File:Gwalior Fort Morning View.jpg|Gwalior Fort File:247 Gwalior.jpg|Siddhachal Caves & Gopachal Hill has rock carved Jain sculptures File:Sas Bahu Temple.jpg|Sasbahu Temple, Gwalior File:Kanch Mandir, Indore.jpg|Kanch Mandir, Indore is famous for exquisite artwork on glass panels File:Orchha mausolea.jpg|Mausolea on the bank of the Betwa River, Orchha File:Mahakal Temple Ujjain.JPG|Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain File:White tigers.jpg|White tigers in the tiger reserve of Panna Image:Stay_view_from_terrace_west_big.jpg|Narmada from the Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar File:Chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar at Alampur, India.jpg|Alampur File:Rani Rupmati pavilion.jpg|Mandu File:Bateswar (6).JPG|Bateshwar temple complex, Morena File:Front_view_of_sabalgarh_fort.jpg|Sabalgarh ==Tourist attractions places==

1) Kutni Dam Kutni Dam is a multipurpose river canal project on the Kutni river, situated in Khajwa, Madhya Pradesh, India.It is the largest dam in the Chhatarpur district.The dam across the Kutni river, and it is 7 km from Rajnagar, 12 km from Khajuraho, and 40 km from Chhatarpur District.The dam is famous for its beauty and vastness. ==See also==