Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, is steeped in rich history is a true paradise for historians, archaeologists, art & architecture patrons and off-course, curious travellers. Dotted with ancient monuments, historical palaces, religious shrines and numerous museums that speak out the tales of bygone times, the place tops the list of tourist destinations in Central India.
Weather in Bhopal
Summer : The summer season in Bhopal begins in March and lasts until the middle of June. Bhopal’s summers are characterised by high temperatures and strong winds (loo). May is the hottest month of the year, with temperatures in Bhopal exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. The season’s average temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius.
The inclination of the northern section of the Earth towards the sun causes these high temperatures, which make summers miserable, especially in the months of May and June. In May and June, the weather in Bhopal is hot and humid. Due to the inclement weather, sightseeing and outdoor activities are impossible. Those visiting Bhopal during the hot months are advised to stay hydrated to avoid disease.
Monsoon: The monsoon season in Bhopal takes place from July through September. During this time of year, the city experiences strong rainstorms and thunderstorms. With an average precipitation of 40 inches, these are the wettest months of the year. The best thing about rain in Bhopal is that it lowers the high summer heat and enhances the beauty of nature by washing away the dust. Even though the monsoon season is not the greatest time to visit Bhopal, it is an excellent time to see the city’s natural beauty, which is enhanced by the rains.
Winter : Winters are the greatest time to visit Bhopal, starting in October and lasting until early March. Bhopal experiences mild winters with pleasant days and cool evenings. The coldest months are December and January, with temperatures as low as 5 degrees Celsius. The weather in Bhopal in December is mild, making travel a pleasurable experience. The mild winters are tolerable, allowing visitors to take advantage of sightseeing and outdoor activities to their full potential. Winters are the greatest season to visit Bhopal because of the beautiful weather.
Accommodation
Despite the fact that Bhopal is a large city, travellers will have little trouble finding suitable lodging. There are several hotels that offer all of the basic amenities to its visitors. TV, air conditioning, and a heater are just a few of the hotel’s essential amenities. The hotel rooms are well-equipped with modern amenities and provide a pleasant spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
Places to Visit
1. Van Vihar National Park
Spread over an area of approximately 445 hectares, the ‘Van Vihar National Park’ is one of the most popular national parks in Central India, established in the year 1979. Considered as one of the best places to visit in Bhopal, the park is located just adjacent to the ‘Upper Lake’ and attracts loads of nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers throughout the year. Though the park is actually a national park, on visiting it, you will get more of a zoological feel to it, rather it would be more appropriate to call it as a unique mix of a zoo and a wildlife sanctuary; on one side, you would spot the carnivores such as tigers, leopards, panthers, lions, bears and gharials enclosed in their natural habitats, bounded by trenches and walls, on the other end, this park would give you a completely different experience of spotting the herbivores like chital, blackbucks and sambars roaming about freely in their natural environs.
2. National Museum of Mankind
Also famous as the ‘Tribal Habitat Museum’, the ‘National Museum of Mankind’ was established in 1977. In 1993, this museum was renamed as Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, at the instance of the Ex- Prime Minister, Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Spread over an area of 200 acres of land, close to the ‘Upper Lake’ amidst Shamla Hills in Bhopal, the museum is the only one of its kind in India and is world-famous to house an excellent collection of pre-historic rock shelters dating back to the early stone-age era that prevailed on the Indian sub-continent in bygone times. Elaborately detailed dioramas here, provide you with a deep insight into human evolution from pre-historic times until today’s modern age.
3. Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Lakshmi Narayan Temple- Bopal 3
A trip to Bhopal remains incomplete without visiting the famous and architecturally stunning temple of Lakshmi Narayan, also known as ‘Birla Mandir’. One of the 18 temples built across India by the renowned Birla family, the ‘Birla Mandir’ at Bhopal adorns the sandy-yellowish outlook and sits atop the Arera Hills, in close proximity to the ‘Birla Museum’, providing breath-taking views of the surroundings and the lakes. The sprawling lawns dotted with beautiful fountains and beds of colourful flowers surround the grandiose structure, further lending it a picturesque appeal and tranquil atmosphere; one can sit in these expansive lawns for hours gazing at the hypnotic architecture of the temple and soaking his souls in spiritual aura of the place.
4. Gohar Mahal
Located on the bank of ‘Upper Lake’, ‘Gohar Mahal’ is yet another of the best places to see in Bhopal. Standing tall as a testimony to the cultural legacy of this city of Nawabs, it is actually a beautiful mansion built in the form of a palace, representing an excellent blend of Mughal and Hindu styles of architecture. This magnificent palace is named after the first woman ruler of Bhopal, Qudisiya Begum, also popularly known as Gohar Begum who was not only an efficient and unbiased head of the state but, also a great patron of art and architecture. It is under her supervision that this impressive palace was built in the year 1820.
5. Moti Masjid
Also known as the ‘Pearl Mosque’ because of its sparkling white marbled floor, ‘Moti Masjid’ is yet another famous and interesting site to visit in Bhopal. Built in 1860, under the rule of Sikander Jehan Begum, one of the most liberated women in the history of Bhopal who worked towards progression of the city by building several monuments, roads and bridges, this mosque stands as a testament to her incredible efforts and off-course to the glorious chapter of Bhopal’s history when it was led by women rulers. Remarkably resembling the architectural style of Jama Masjid in Delhi, though relatively small, ‘Moti Masjid’ is still considered an important pilgrimage destination for Muslims and people travel here from far and wide to offer their prayers.
6. Bhimbetka Caves
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, ‘Bhimbetka Caves’ is one of the ‘must-visit’ sightseeing places in Bhopal. Located just at a distance of about 45 km. from the main city, on the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains, the place was accidentally discovered by a renowned archaeologist, Dr. Vishnu Wakankar in 1957-58 when he ventured on a leisurely stroll in the area. Stocked with pre-historic rock paintings dating back to the periods between Palaeolithic and Medieval ages, these caves are no less than a splendid art-gallery providing a deep insight into development of human race with time. Even after more than 30000 years of their existence, the conditions of these exquisite paintings remain intact, inviting hundreds of historians and archaeologists every year to carry out their research on the lifestyle and social practices of early humans during the bygone times; one can easily infer the scenes of communal dances, hunting, soldier & animal fights and drinking & partying men from these paintings that adorn walls and ceilings of the caves.
How to Reach Bhopal
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh’s capital, has its own airport and railway station that connects it to all of the country’s major cities. It also offers excellent transport and taxi services, which can be very useful when visiting areas close Bhopal.
How to reach Bhopal By Road: Bhopal is easily accessible because to a well-developed network of roads and motorways. Bhopal is crossed by NH12 and NH86.
How to reach Bhopal By Train: Bhopal Junction is located in India’s west-central railway zone. The city is well connected to all of the country’s major railway stations.
Local Transport in Bhopal: Local auto-rickshaws, buses, and cab services make it easy to get around Bhopal.