Ashirgarh fort was built by Usa and Ahir, is situated stop a hill with a palace. Just below the fort is a fine Shiva Temple, constructed in the early 10^th century. Burhanpur is 20 km from Asirgarh.

Air: Nearest Airport is at Indore (188 km).

Bus: Regular buses to Burhanpur, Omkareshwar, Khandwa, Jalgoan etc.

These caves are about 50 km west of Mandu, 7 km from the village Bagh and three km off the main road, Indore to Vadodara. The caves date from 400 to 700 A. D., resembling those of Ajanta and Ellora. The composition of the paintings, the grace of the figures and the decorative designs are marvelous. Cave No.4 is the most impressive of this rock -- cut five surviving caves.

Bandhavgarh National Park is also known as Tala Park. The park area is 165 sq. km. It is situated in the heart of the white tiger area of erstwhile Rewa State.

Bandhavgarh fort, with its adjoining temple, is located on & hill almost at the center of the Park. The nearest gasoline station is at Umaria, (32 km)

Animals residing in this park area are Tigers, Panthers, Gaurs, Sloth bears, Sambhars, Chitals, Kakars and wild boar. The park is open to visitors from 15^th October to 30^th June. The best season for viewing the animals is from November to June.

Accommodation: Forest rest house and PWD, Inspection Bungalow at Tala.

Air: Nearest Airports are Jabalpur (194 km) and Khajuraho (210 km)

Rail: Nearest Railway Stations are Umaria (30 km) and Katni (84 km) from Tala

Bus: Regular buses to Satna, Rewa, Shahdol, Katni and Umaria etc.

40 km from Bhopal, 600 caves and rock shelters belonging to neo-Linice age are recently discovered here. The walls and ceilings of most of the caves have paintings of the stone ages, and depict mythological scenes, men riding horse and elephants, war-scenes, procession and animals. Red and white colours dominate the paintings but occasionally green and yellow have also been used.

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh State. The city stands on the site of an old town founded by Raja Bhoj in the 11^th century. Dost Mohammad Khan laid the foundation of the present city in the first half of the 18^th century.

Places of Interest:

1. Taj ul Masjid: One of the largest mosques in India, built by Shahjahan Begum, who left it unfinished.

2. Jama Masjid: Built in 1837 by Qudasia Begum. The tall, dark minarets of the mosque are crowned with glittering golden spikes.

3. Moti Masjid: Sikandar Jahan, daughter of Qudasia Begum, builds the mosque in 1860.

4. Sardar Manzil: A former Durbar of Audience Hall of the rulers of Bhopal.

5. Bharat Bhawan: Center for performing and visual arts, Bharat Bhawan is a national institute, designed to promote consciousness about various aspects of culture.

6. Van Vihar: A National Park houses a variety of wild animals.

7. Gandhi Bhawan: Situated on Shamla Hills, the Bhawan houses an exhibition of Gandhiji's photographs and a Gandhi museum.

8. Laxmi Narayan Temple: Situated on Arera Hills, has a museum attached to it.

9. Shamla Hills and Idagh Hills: A panoramic view of the city with minarets and mosques can be seen from here at sunset.

10. Upper Lake and Lower Lake: An over bridge divides larger Upper Lake from the Lower Lake.

11. Archaeological Museum: (Near Tagore Bhawan). Open from 10.00 to 17.00 hrs. Monday closed. Entry free.

12. Laxmi Narayan Temple Museum: open from 9.00 to 17.00 hrs. Monday closed. Entry Free.

Excursion:

1. Bhojpur: 28 km from Bhopal is famous for its 11^th century Bhojeshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Closed to it, is a Jain temple, has a 20 feet high colossal statue of Tirthankar Mahavir and other two statues of Tirthankar Parsvanath.

2. Bhimbetka: 40 km from Bhopal, 600 caves and rock shelters belonging to neo-linice age are recently discovered here. The walls and ceilings of most of the caves have paintings of the stone ages, and depict mythological scenes, men riding horse and elephants, war-scenes, procession and animals. Red and white colour dominate the paintings but occasionally green and yellow have also been used.

3. Sanchi: 46 km via Diwanganj and 72 km via Raisen, it has the singular distinction of having specimens of almost all kinds of Buddhist architectural forms, stupas, chaityas, temples and monasteries. They are the finest examples of Buddhist creative art and sculpture.

Air: Nearest Airport is 11 km from City Indian Airlines Office.

Bus: Regular buses to Indore (186 km), Ujjain (189 km), Mandu (290 km), Sanchi (48 &72 km), Panchamarhi (210 km), Khajuraho (387 km), Gwarlier (423 km), Jabalpur (368 km) etc.

The later medieval fort and place at Burhanpur were build by Meeran Adil Shah Farooqi. The fort was known for its exquisite Persian bathhouses with coloured tiles and glasswork. They are a fine example of Iranian architecture.

Air: Nearest Airport is at Indore (208 km)

Bus: Regular buses to Ashirgarh, Omkareshwar, Khandwa, Jalgaon etc.

(69 km) later medieval fort and palaces. Seven story palace of Raja Bir Singh Deo built a top a hill, is entirely of stone and bricks and no iron or wood has been used.

Gwalior is named after Gwalipa, a legendary saint of the 8^th century. The great fort is situated on an isolated hill of sandstone, which is 300 feet above the plain.

Places of Interest:

1. Fort: Gwalior fort, built by Raja Mansingh Tomar, is one of the largest forts in India.

2. Mansingh Palace: Built between 1486-1517, it still has blue enamel painting of ducks, elephants and peacocks along the outer wall of the palace.

3. Gujari Mahal: Built in the 15^th century by Raja Mansingh for his favorite Gujar Queen, Mrignayani. At present the palace houses an archeological museum, which has a collection of Hindu and Jain sculptures and copies of Bagha Cave fascias.

4. Tombs of Tansen and Ghaus Mohammad: The tombs of Tansen (the famous musician and one of the nine gems at the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar) and Mohammad Ghaus are examples of Superb early Mughal architecture.

5. Chhatris: Cenotaphs commemorating the kings and queens of the Scindia dynasty.

6. Sas Bhau ka Mandir: 11^th century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

7. Tell Ka Mandir: Over 100 feet in height, it is a Pratihar Vishnu temple of 9^th century.

8. Rani of Jhansi Memorial: Dedicated to Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi a leading figure in the 1857 war of independence against British Ruler.

9. Jai Vilas Palace: It has imposing audience hall with antique furniture and chandeliers.

10. Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum: It is situated in Gujari Mahal. Open from: 10.00 to 17.00 hrs. Closed on Mondays.

11. Jivaji Rao Scindia Museum: It is situated in Jai Vilas Palace.

12. Municipal Corporation Museum: Has a natural history section. Closed on Mondays.

13. Kala Vithika: Situated on Tansen Road. Closed on Sundays and other Govt. holidays.

Excursion:

1. Datia: (69 km) later medieval fort and palaces. Seven story palace of Raja Bir Singh Deo built a top a hill is entirely of stone and bricks and no iron or wood has been used.

2. Narwar Fort: (128 km) A medieval fort is situated a top of hill about 5000 feet above the ground level and has a area of 8 sq. km.

Air: Nearest Airport is 11.5 km from City Indian Airlines Office.

Bus: Regular buses to Agar, Mathura, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Bhopal, Chanderi, Indore, Jhansi, Khajuraho, Rewa, Ujjain and Shivapuri etc.

Indore planned and built by Rani Ahlyabai, lies on the banks of the rivers Saraswati and Khan. It is a major center of textile producing.

Places of Interest:

1. Chhatri Bagh: Madhav Rao Holkar's cenotaph is richly decorated with frescoes.

2. Kanch Mandir: (Hukumchand's Temple): On Sunday Street (Jawahar Road), close to June Rajwada is the Shrine of Digamber Jains, Kanch Mandir. Its walls, roof and floor are lavishly inlaid with mother of pleural; glass and multi coloured beads.

3. June Rajwada: An old place in the heart of the city, now housing Government offices.

4. Museum & Art Galleries : Near the G.P.O. Kendriya Sangarahalaya, with Galleries of Sculpture, paintings, coins excavated in the Malwa region and natural history specimens. (Monday closed).

Excursion:

1. Maheshwar: (91 km) On the banks of the river Narmada, famous for its bathing ghat and Shiva temple. It is also a center for Maheshwari sarees.

2. Mandu: A pleasure resort is 99 km from Indore via Dhar and 89 km via Mhow.

3. Omkareshwar: (77 km) seat of one of the sacred Jyotirlinga.

4. Ujjain: (53 km) One of the seven sacred cities of India. Seat of one of the sacred Jyotirlingas of India. It has also one of the five observatory (Jantar Mantar) built by Raja Jai Singh.

Air: Nearest Airport is 9 km from City Indian Airlines Office

Bus: Regular buses to Bombay, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Gwalior, Mandu, Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, Sanchi, Ujjain, Vidisha, Asirgarh, Burhanpur etc.

Jabalpur was once the pleasure resort of the Gond kings. King Madan Shah the most famous, built Madan Mahal in the twelfth century when the Gond Empire was as its zenith. Jabalpur was later the capital of the Kalchuri Kings.

Places of Interest:

1. Madan Mahal Fort: The Fort was build by the Gond King, Raja Madan Shah in 1116 on the top of a rocky eminence. The fort commands a panoramic view of the city.

2. Pisan Hari Jain Temples: About 7 km from Jabalpur, near the Medical College, are the Jain temple a top a hill. They are believed to be 150 years old. The temples got their name from the woman who started them with money earned from milling flour.

3. Tilwara Ghat: (9 km). This Ghat on the bank of Narmada is an ideal picnic spot. The Gandhi memorial is situated here.

Excursion:

1. Marble Rocks: 23 km from Jabalpur, connected by an excellent road, is the Marble Rocks rising on ether side of a mile-long gorge through, which the Narmada flows. The gleaming jagged cliffs of limestone are more then a hundred feet high. Boating amidst gorge in moonlight is a unique experience.

1. Chousath Yogini Temple: Build on a Hillock, is the 10^th century temple of Chousath Yogini, dedicated to Goddess Durga.

2. Dhuandhar: At the fair end of the marble gorge, the Narmada surges down in a waterfall known as Dhuandhar or smoke cascade.

1. Kanha National Park: (168 km) One of Asia's finest parks, Kanha is the home of a large variety of animals like Tiger Panther, Sambhar, preserve of Barasingha. It has dense forest with bamboos on the slopes and the stately sal groves interspersed with rolling meadow in the valley.

Local Transport: The M.P. Tourism Development Corporation operates a jeep for park rounds. Bookings can be made through the Manager, Log Huts, and Kisli.

Accommodation:

1. Log Hut, Kisli (M.P. tourism)

2. Youth Hostel, Kisli. (M.P.Tourism)

3. Tourist Bungalow, Mukki (M.P. Tourism)

4. Tourist huts, Khatia. (M.P. Tourism)

5. Kanha Safari Lodge, Mukki (ITDC)

1. Bandhavgarh National Park (194 km) This Park lies in the heart of the Vindhayan mountain range in central India. The Park area is hilly and dominated by the majestic Bandhavgarh fort, built in the 14^th century. The fort and the adjacent hills have a large number of caves belonging to the pre-historic period of Indian history.

Because of near-total seclusion, and profuse availability of water the wildlife is excellent and comprises of the Tiger, Panther, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar and Bison. The first white Tiger was found in nearby forest in 1951.

Air: Nearest Airport is 50 km from City Indian Airlines Office.

Bus: Regular buses to Varanasi, Allahabad, Khajuraho, Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur, Satna, Raipur, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Pachmarhi, Rewa etc.

This park is 168 km from Jabalpur, 262 km from Ranchi and 323 km from Nagpur. It covers an area of 446.64 sq. km. And has five brick work hides at Salghat, Jhiria, Sanduk Khol, Chimta Churia and Pakri while wooden towers at Schaller, Chital and Shrawan Tal around Kanha for viewing and photography.

Animals residing in this park area are tiger, panther, gaur, wild boar, sambhar, barasingha, chital, black buck, chowshingha, kakar, dhole, hyena and langur etc. the park is open to visitors from November to Mid-June, but best season for visiting this park is from March to May.

Private planes are allowed to land at Bahmni Dadar at the South-east corner of the park. Vehicular traffic is not permitted in the park area between sunset and sunrise. A jeep and minibuses can be hires from the Department. Five elephants are available for penetrating into the deep interior of the forest. The park has 137 km of fair-weather roads.

Accommodation: Forest Rest House and Cottages for Tourist at Kanha, the park headquarters and at Kisli.

Air: Nearest Airport is at Jabalpur (168 km)

Rail: Nearest Railway Station is Jabalpur (168 km)

Bus: Regular buses to Jabalpur, Ranchi and Nagpur etc.