NURTURING 21st CENTURY CHILDRENLEISURE &
TR AVEL
out a living in India’s second largest state also noted for its
ravines and forests.
The state hosts notable cultural events such as the
annual Kalidas Samaroh (performing and fine arts) in
Ujjain; the Tansen Samaroh (music) in Gwalior, and the
Khajuraho Dance Festival, a unique extravaganza of
performing artistes.
Comments Renu Diwan, a Mumbai-based physician
who has visited MP several times: “The contrast between
different places within Madhya Pradesh is immense, not
only in terms of natural beauty and scenic spots, but also
in infrastructure and hotel facilities.”
BHOPAL
The picturesque capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is
set around a lake and is renowned for its archaeological
wealth. It is sited on a 11th century city, Bhojapal, named
after Raja Bhoj. But the founder of Bhopal was Dost
Mohammed, an Afghan soldier. Contemporary Bhopal
represents a multi-faceted profile. The old quarter with its
teeming marketplaces and grand old palaces and mosques
coexists with the new city with verdant, exquisitely laid out
parks and gardens, broad avenues and modern offices.
Bhopal’s monuments and buildings represent a fusion
of varied architectural styles. Epitomising modern Bhopal
is Bharat Bhawan, designed by avant-garde architect the
late Charles Correa which is a unique centre for the visual
and performing arts. Its high point is the Roopankar
museum with exotic tribal and folk-art exhibits. Another
architectural gem is Gohar Mahal, built by Kudsia
Begum in 1820, representing an amalgam of Hindu
and Mughal architecture. The city’s famous landmark,
Jama Masjid, was also built by Kudsia Begum and is
distinguished by gold spikes crowning its minarets.
Visitors to MP’s capital could also take in the Laxmi
Narayan Temple located on the Arera hills. The
contiguous Birla Museum houses a collection of
scriptures from the Raisen, Sehore, Mandsaur and
Shahdot districts of Madhya Pradesh. Also worth a visit
is the Moti Masjid, architecturally akin to Delhi’s Jama
Masjid, Shaukat Mahal, Sadar Manzil and the Taj-
ul-Masjid. The latter is one of the largest mosques in
Asia, built by Shahjahan Begum. There are also several
museums located in Bhopal including the Government
Archaeological Museum, the Regional Science
Centre and the Tribal Arts Museum.
Excursions. These include Islamnagar (11 km),
which was once the palace of Bhopal’s Afghan rulers and
was built by Dost Mohammed Khan. Formal gardens
surround the palace and pavilion which is a synthesis of
Hindu and Islamic decorative art. Also worth visiting is
Hathaikhera (10 km), an ideal fishing and angling spot.
Bhojpur (28 km) was founded by the legendary Parmar
King, Raja Bhoj and is renowned for the magnificent
Bhojeshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Further afield is Chiklod (45 km), summer resort of
the former ruler, Nawab Hamidulla Khan; Raisen (45
km) located atop a hill was once a fortress of strategicLaxmi Narayana temple Islamnagar
Jama Masjid, Bhopal