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The Moti Masjid, built by Sikander Jahan Begum in 1860 A.D., is similar in style to Delhi's Jama Masjid, and has two dark red minarets crowned by golden spikes. The Taj-ul Masjid is a huge pink mosque with two massive white-domed minarets. The Shaukat Mahal, situated in the heart of the walled city, is built in an European style rather than the predominantly Islamic architecture of the area. Nearby is the Sadar Manzil, what used to be the hall of public audience of the former rulers of Bhopal. Besides, the Upper and Lower Lakes, and the adjoining zoo called Van Vihar, are well worth a visit while on a trip to this city of lakes.
Laxmi Narayan Temple:
Also known as the Birla Mandir, the Laxmi Narayan Temple is situated to the south of the Lower Lake on the Arera Hills. Near the Temple is located a museum that houses a collection of sculptures from the districts at Raisen, Sehore, Mandsaur, and Shahdol in of Madhya Pradesh. The stone sculptures here are mainly of Shiva, Vishnu, and their respective consorts and incarnations.
Moti Masjid:
Built by Qudsia Begum's daughter Sikander Jahan Begum in 1860 A.D., the Moti Masjid is similar in style to Delhi's Jama Masjid. The mosque is smaller in size than the Jama Masjid, and has two dark red minarets crowned by golden spikes.
Taj-ul Masjid:
The Taj-ul Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. The construction of this mosque was started by Shah Jahan Begum during her reign (1868 A.D. to 1901 A.D.), but it was never completed in her lifetime. It was only with the intervention of the Government of India in 1971 that the construction of the mosque was completed. Today, this huge pink mosque with two massive white-domed minarets is used as a madarsa (religious school). A three-day annual Ijtima congregation held here draws scores of people from all over the country.
Shaukat Mahal:
In the heart of the walled city in Bhopal, at the entrance to the Chowk area, lies the Shaukat Mahal. The building evokes archaeological interest as it is built in an European style, thereby setting it apart from the predominantly Islamic architecture of the area.
Sadar Manzil:
Near the Shaukat Mahal lies the elegant Sadar Manzil. It used to be the hall of public audience of the former rulers of Bhopal.
Upper and Lower Lakes:
Covering an area of about 6 square kilometers, the Upper Lake is separated from the Lower Lake by an overbridge. You can hire motorboats for exciting trips on the Upper Lake. Adjacent to the Lake is the zoo called Van Vihar, where you can have a look at the tigers, leopards, lions, and bears, among other animals. Near the Lower Lake, you can visit an aquarium. This fish-shaped aquarium houses a number of fascinating species of fish.
Weekend Trips/Excursions:
Bhopal offers some excellent spots for daylong excursions. The paintings in the Bhimbetka caves belonging to the Neolithic age depict the life of the prehistoric cave dwellers. Sanchi presents Buddhist works of art dating back to the third century B.C. A trip to Pachmarhi located in the Satpura hills is a fascinating experience. Bhojpur's claim to fame is the ancient Bhojeshwar Temple, also known as the `Somnath of the East'. The Udaygiri Caves, cut into the side at a sandstone hill, date back from A.D. 320 to 606.
Bhimbetka Caves:
Known for their prehistoric paintings, the famous Bhimbetka caves are located about 46 kilometers south of Bhopal. The caves, surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhya mountain range, are believed to have provided shelter to primitive man. The caves or the rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age number more than 600. Inside most of these caves are paintings that depict, in vivid panoramic detail, the life of the prehistoric cave dwellers. The oldest paintings here are believed to be up to 12,000 years old. These caves lying in the rocky terrain of dense forests and craggy cliffs have become an invaluable chronicle in the history of man.
Bhojpur:
The ancient city of Bhojpur lies 28 kilometers south-east of Bhopal. The city is famous for the immense Bhojeshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also referred to as the `Somnath of the East', this impressive temple overlooks a vast, now dried-up lake. One of the features of the temple is a massive Lingam which is about 2.3 meters high and 5.3 meters in circumference. The temple was never completed and the earthen ramp used to raise it up to dome-level still stands. The temple till today remains one of the best examples of temple architecture of the 11th to 13th centuries A.D.
Sanchi (46 kilometers from Bhopal), located on a secluded hill crowned by a group of Stupas from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D., occupies an unmatched place in Buddhist history. Its Stupas, Chaityas, Temples, Monasteries, and gateways embellished by delicate carvings depict the Buddha's life and teachings. To Buddhists all over the world, Sanchi is almost as hallowed a spot as Bodh Gaya or Sarnath. On Buddha Purnima (full moon), which usually falls in April/May according to the lunar calendar, Buddhists from many countries all over the world come to Sanchi to celebrate the triple anniversary of Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenments and Parinirvana.
Udaygiri:
Five kilometers from Vidisha are located the Udaygiri Caves, cut into the side at a sandstone hill. The caves date from A.D. 320 to 606. An inscription in one of these caves states that it was carved out during the reign of Chandragupta II (A.D. 382-401). Of the 20 Gupta caves, two are Jain and the remaining 18 Hindu. One can have a look at an image of Vishnu in his boar incarnation in Cave member 5. On the top of the hill are the ruins of the 6th-century Gupta temple.
Pachmarhi:
Set in the Satpura Hills at a height of 1,067 meters above sea level, the hill station of Pachmarhi is located about 195 kilometers from Bhopal. Legend has it that it was in the forests of Pachmarhi that the Pandavas spent some part of their exile. The serene surroundings, tranquil forest glades, groves of wild bamboo and jamun, dense sal forests, and delicate bamboo thickets make Pachmarhi an ideal retreat for those looking for a change from urban chaos.
Pachmarhi is also an archaeological treasure house. The cave shelters in the Mahadeo Hills, containing rock paintings believed to have been made during A.D. 500-800, are the prime attraction for tourists here.
Events and Festivals:
A three-day Ijtima (religious congregation) is held in the precincts of the Taj-ul-Masjid annually. It draws scores at Muslim pilgrims from all parts of India.
Every year in January/February, the villages of the Manav Sangrahalaya come alive with potters' workshops, folk music and dance, and open-air plays. It is an opportunity for the tribals at the region to demonstrate their skills in painting, weaving, and the fashioning of bell metal into exquisite works of art.
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