About Madhya Pradesh
A jewel in the crown of India is the central state Madhya Pradesh also appropriately famous as the ” Heart of India.” What makes this state stand out from the rest is its tourism. It is a beautiful concoction of varied natural and human-made landscapes. This place looks like an enticing creation straight out of a poet’s imagination.
It provides abundant scope for solo women travelers, solo men travelers, or for people who prefer to explore with the family or in groups. From forest and wildlife sanctuaries to monuments of flawless architecture, this state is ready to take you on an unforgettable ride. From green meadows to places of spiritual importance, from rivers and waterfalls to hill stations, from forts to areas of historical significance, this place has all to satisfy your wanderlust.
Nature and Wildlife
Now, to give you an idea about the love and reverence of this state for wildlife, Madhya Pradesh has ten national parks and many biosphere and nature reserves. Some of these are UNESCO world heritage sites.
Out of this long, jaw-dropping list, 6 are tiger reserves, and that is why it is known as the tiger state of India.
One of these are Pench national park around which revolved the story of renowned writer Rudyard Kipling’s story collection, ‘the jungle book.’
Not only tigers, but this state has also preserved many other species like a panther, chital, chinkara, tiger, gaur, sambar, nilgai, blackbuck, crocodiles, barking deer, chital, wild boar.
Teak, sal, bamboo, Khair, and some medicinal plants are the incredible flora that thrives across the state.
Sculptures of Khajuraho
India is a country vividly known for its glorious past and marvels of architectural creativity. One such extravaganza is Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. It is not a single temple, but initially, it was a group of total 85 Jain and Hindu temples, out of which only 25 have survived the test of the time. These are also a living testimony of religious harmony and goodwill in ancient India. It is one of the famous tourists spots not only in India but all around the world.
Exquisite sculptures and unique architecture of the temples tickle all your senses and allow you to relive that era through your eyes. These temples illustrate through sculptures a variety of artwork like spiritual teachings, wrestling, meditation, royalty, kinship, and the most significant of all- erotic art. Due to their enticing beauty and exceptional architecture, the UN has listed Khajuraho as a UNESCO world heritage site. And we describe it as an adventure every solo woman traveler must-have.
Dhuandhaar Waterfalls
The Dhuandhaar falls a spectacle of nature, is 30 meters high and is in Bhedaghat in Jabalpur district. Cascading from the flawless white marble rocks on the Narmada river, Dhuandhaar translates to the flow of mist. The water of Narmada plunges down the waterfall and bounces so hard against the surface that it creates haze in the air and makes such a roar that one can hear it from a far distance.
The underlying worldwide famous marble rocks further enhance the whitish color of the water. And on a full moon night, when the calm and silvery moonlight falls on these same marble rocks, it creates a unique environment of tranquility. This place should be on the list of every nature lover. And yes, while you are here to witness the extraordinary beauty of this place, don’t forget to complement your experience with a boat ride in the gushing water of the Narmada.
Culture, Festivals and Crafts
Madhya Pradesh is a nest for the people of different religions, ethnicity, and tribes. And this land has very well nourished and preserved the art and culture of this state. Festivals of this land are so vibrant and colorful that nobody and resist them and drench him in the actual color of festivity.
Culture and Festivals
- Lokrang Festival: Organized by the Madhya Pradesh Lok Kala Academy every year, it is celebrated to revive the vanishing culture and arts of the tribals of the state. Folk dances and folk music is the highlight of the festival.
- Khajuraho Festival: During this week-long festivity and cultural riot, folk music, folk dance, and crafts are the axes around which this festival revolves.
- Ujjain Kumbh Mela: Out the four places, Ujjain is one where Kumbh Mela, which is of utmost religious importance for the Hindus takes place.
- Panchmarhi Utsav: National and international level artists come to attend this five long day festivity, which in itself is a treat for the soul.
- Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh: From all over the world, Artists gather to remember the notable Indian poet Kalidas.
Crafts
Apart from many natural landscapes and monuments, people of Madhya Pradesh have refined taste and proficiency of arts and crafts.
Some of the well-maintained Arts and Crafts are carpet weaving, folk paintings, bamboo, and cane coverings, jute works, ornaments, metal, and ironworks, terracotta, papier mache, woodcraft, and zari embroidery and textile weaving.
Language
Hindi is the official as well as the most widely spoken language of the state. Other than Hindi, people in Madhya Pradesh also speak Marathi, Awadhi, and Bagheli for daily usages.
Major Airports
There many national and international functioning Airports in Madhya Prades. Some of them are:-
- Raja Bhoj International Airport, Bhopal
- Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airports, Indore
- Dumna Airport, Jabalpur
- Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport, Gwalior
- Civil Aerodrome Khajuraho, Khajuraho
This place is proof that there is no end to human creativity and nature’s magnificence. This Incredible place should be in the traveling list of everyone, be it a photographer, a solo woman traveler, or a family who likes to explore together.