5 Attractions That Make Bhopal A Must Visit Place

Split by a pair of lakes, Bhopal is two cities within a city. The two main lakes, the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake offer two starkly contrasting cityscapes. Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, derives its name from the Bhoj Tal (“Bhoj’s Lake”), a lake constructed by Bhoj, a Hindu raja, in the 11th century. Although, the lake is now known as the Upper Lake, it still stands a witness to the changing times and the changes brought about with the passage of time.

A visit to this city is like walking down the pages of history, every place has a story to narrate and enamouring beauty to experience.

Here are 5 experiences which make Bhopal a must visit place:

Transcend into the Past

Bhopal is a pace with a rich history. There is a theory that Bhopal was founded in the 11th century by the Paramara king Bhoj, while an alternative theory suggests that it was named after another king called Bhupala. From the Mughals, to the Begum rule, the influence of the British rule and the post-independence era, the place has been a witness to several rulers who brought with them versatile cultural heritage. With the turn of tides and flipping of kingdoms, there was a piece of culture left behind at every bend and you can experience them all when you visit this beautiful city.

Picnics and Boat Rides in the Lake

Let the child in you come alive with the boat ride on the Upper Lake. You can also enjoy a picnic by the shores of the lake. A great reminder of simpler times which offline activities were the things that helped us bond with the nature and with each other. There are also adventure sports activities which you can take up.

Explore Nature

The lakes and beautiful parks are not the only way to enjoy the nature in Bhopal. Sprawled over an area of 4.43 Sq Km, this national park has been further altered into a zoological park where wild animals are kept in their natural surroundings.A visit to the Van Vihar National Park is one of the major things to do in Bhopal as it captivates the hearts of the travellers with its rich vegetation and a variety of wild animal species including tiger, lion, panther, sloth bear, and hyena.

Religious Panorama

From the magnificent Sanchi Stupa to the beautiful Taj-ul-Masjid and the stone sculptures and Shivlinga of the Bhojpur Temple, the city offers a plethora of religious experiences. You can marvel at the beautythe Sanchi Stupa, built in the form of a semi-hemispherical dome that includes a central chamber and 4 majestic gateways. Also enlisted as a UNESCO world heritage site, this architectural beauty flaunts numerous decorative illustrations and carvings. The Taj-ul-Masjid is the largest mosque in India which mesmerizes you with the magnificent Mughal Architecture in red stone. You can also visit the Bhojpur Temple cradled on the banks of the river Vetravati which houses a stone Shivling which is 7.5 feet tall and has a circumference of 18 feet.

A Peek into the Army Life

Dedicated to the Indian army, Yodhasthal museum is the most unique place to visit of Bhopal which aims at narrating the war scenarios and life of an army man. Situated at the Dronachal Complex in Bhopal, this is popularly known as the “Know Your Army” Museum and features different types of guns and machines used by the Indian Army during war.This museum is subdivided into 6 major sections including PreskhGhat, Avishkar, Parichay, Alpahar, SwagatKaksh, and Astra Shastra where you can gain an insight into the Indian army. This museum has no entry charge and also offers souvenirs related to the army.