Capital : Bhopal
A part of Madhya Pradesh has been separated and formed into a new state Chattisgarh from November 1, 2000. The details given here are before the separation. Click on Chattisgarh for more information.

Madhya Pradesh situated in the centre of India, is surrounded by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in the south, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in the north, Bihar and Orissa in the east and Gujarat in the west. The state of Madhya Pradesh came into existence on November 1, 1956.

Except for the valleys of the Narmada and the Tapti, Madhya Pradesh consists of a plateau with a mean elevation of 1600 ft above sea level, interspersed with the mountains of the Vindhya and the Satpura ranges. The main river systems are the Chambal, Betwa, Sindh, Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi and Indravati. Nearly a third of the state's area is covered with tropical forests ranging between the rivers Chambal in the north and Godavari in the south. To the east of Chambal, the area has rocky surface and thick forest. Farther north, the topography of the plains stretches up to the ravines of Chambal.

The highlands of Malwa present an appearance of waving fields of grain and the green luxuriance among the shades of mango and tamarind trees clustering round the rural habitations. The inhabitants of this plateau are mostly agriculturists. The low lying area in the north of Malwa which touches the tract around Gwalior has a different appeal. Its north-east side gradually extends to y Bundelkhand and meets the Kaimur Hills in Baghelkhand. Here the people are more sturdy and of lesser height as compared to the peasants of Malwa. The hilly regions fall mainly on the Vindhya and Satpura ranges where Bhils, Gonds, Korkus and other tribes of mixed descent practice agriculture. The river Narmada which rises from Amarkantak begins to run through a rocky bed near Jabalpur and Mandla. It emerges near Mandhata and widens its flow near Maheshwar in Nimad. During the rainy season a rich growth of vegetation is visible all around. The black soil of Malwa bears magnificent crops.

The climate is extreme in the north of Madhya Pradesh. It is cool and breezy in the central parts and humid in the eastern and southern regions

Palaces to Interest Tour : -  

Bhopal

Bhopal, the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh, has grown around a large lake, the ornamental newer part of the city being roughly opposite the labyrinthine lanes of the old town. Craft – notably velvet handbags studded with stones, and lacy silverwork – is practised in narrow alleyways that lead off from domed mosques in the old city. Bharat Bhavan is a showcase of Indian art, folk traditions, sculpture and a centre for the performing arts as well. more Information >>

Khajuraho

The capital of the Chandela Kings, Khajuraho is famous for its magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the Jain Tirthankaras. These temples are built between 950 A.D. and 1050 A.D. The temples of Khajuraho represent some of the most exquisite specimens in medieval India, only 22 temples out of 85 now survive more Information >>

Sanchi

Sanchi has the singular distinction of having specimens of almost all kinds of Buddhist architectural forms, stupas, chaityas, temples and monasteries - the finest examples of Buddhist creative art and sculpture in the country. The architectural pieces and sculptures displayed here include the Ashoka pillar and images of Buddha and Kushan more Information >>

Gwalior

Gwalior is named after a legendary Saint Gwalipa of 8th Century A.D. It is also sacred to the memory of the heroic queen Rani of Jhansi and Tatya Tope more Information >>

Indore

Situated on the banks of the river Saraswati and Khan. Indore was planned and founded by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar and derives its name from the 18th century Indreshwar Temple. Indore is a flourishing industrial city with a proud past. Chief attraction is the Kanch Mandir or Glass Temple of the Digamber Jains the walls, floor and ceiling of which are lavishly inlaid with glass and mother of pearl. Palaces and cenotaphs of the former rulers are other attractions. more Information >>

Orchha

Orchha had the distribution of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of Central India. It was founded in the 16th Century by the Bundela cheiftan Rudra Pratap. Dotting the landscape are numerous shrines, memorials and palaces each contributing to the legend that is Orchha  more Information >>