November 9, 2009
September 4, 2009
June 4, 2009
About Madhya Pradesh
MPIPASP | 14:03 | 
| Location : Madhya Pradesh Capital : Bhopal Tourist Attractions : Bhopal, Sanchi, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Ujjain, Indore and Mundu Best Time To Visit : October to March. |
| Madhya Pradesh |
Introduction
Madhya Pradesh, located in the geographic heart of India, is surrounded by seven states viz. 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. Madhya Pradesh is the second largest Indian state in size with an area of 308000 sq km. Though the state of Madhya Pradesh came into existence on November 1, 1956 but it came into its present form on November 1, 2000 following its bifurcation to create a new state of Chhattisgarh. The concept of District Governance has been implemented and District Planning Committees have been empowered to plan and execute development works. A system of village level governance, Gram Swaraj, has been put in place, from Jan. 26, 2001, under which Gram Sabhas have been bestowed with considerable powers for development of villages and welfare activities. Madhya Pradesh, because of its central location in India, has remained a crucible of historical currents from North, South, East and West. 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 one 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 magic of Madhya Pradesh lies in its exquisitely carved temples, proud fortresses and variety of wildlife. Madhya Pradesh has a number of important pilgrimage centres. While Ujjain and Omkareshwar have special significance due to Shrines having two of the twelve jyotirlingas, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Amarkantak, Hoshangabad are also important in their own rights. Rich archaeological wealth has been unearthed in various parts of the state throwing light on its history. Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a fascinating amalgam of an old historic city, and modern urban planning. It presents a multi-faceted profile: the old city with its marketplaces and fine old mosques and palaces still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers. Equally impressive is the new city with its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern edifices. Madhya Pradesh has everything from rich history and heritage, divinity, colorful simple people, art and architecture, wonderful handicrafts to unique wildlife. |
A plateau region in the northwest of the state, north of the Vindhya Range, with its distinct language and culture. Indore is the major city of the region, while Bhopal lies on the edge of Bundelkhand region. Ujjain is a town of historical importance.
Nimar (Nemar)
The western portion of the Narmada River valley, lying south of the Vindhyas in the southwest portion of the state.
Bundelkhand
A region of rolling hills and fertile valleys in the northern part of the state, which slopes down toward the Indo-Gangetic plain to the north. Gwalior is an historic center of the region.
Baghelkhand
A hilly region in the northeast of the state, which includes the eastern end of the Vindhya Range.
Mahakoshal (Mahakaushal)
The southeastern portion of the state, which includes the eastern end of the Narmada river valley and the eastern Satpuras. Jabalpur is the most important city in the region.
Climate
Madhya Pradesh has a topography that is crossed from north to south by plains separated by upland areas. 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. Best time to visit is between September to February. The state has three main seasons:
Winter
November to February are the months of winter during which the average temperatures range from 10° to 27° C (50° to 81° F). Winters are usually pleasant and dry.
Summer
The March-to-May season is hot and dry. Summers are hot, with an average temperature of 29° C (85° F) and a high temperature that at times reaches 48° C (118° F).
Monsoon season
The climate is monsoonal between June to September. During the monsoon season temperatures average 19° to 30° C (66° to 86°). Madhya Pradesh receives an average annual rainfall of about 1200 mm (nearly 50 in), of which 90 percent falls during the monsoon season.
How to reach
By Train
Trunk Rail route connecting nothern India passes through Madhya Pradesh. Main junctions in the state are Bhopal, Bina, Gwalior, Indore, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Ratlam, Ujjain & Khandwa.
By Air
Major airports linking Delhi, Bombay, Varanasi & Nagpur are Bhopal, Indore, Khajuraho & Gwalior. Stations linked by Vayudoot are Bhopal, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, Guna, Indore & Jabalpur. Bhopal is also connected to Jaipur, Raipur & Nagpur by Vayudoot.
Nimar (Nemar)
The western portion of the Narmada River valley, lying south of the Vindhyas in the southwest portion of the state.
Bundelkhand
A region of rolling hills and fertile valleys in the northern part of the state, which slopes down toward the Indo-Gangetic plain to the north. Gwalior is an historic center of the region.
Baghelkhand
A hilly region in the northeast of the state, which includes the eastern end of the Vindhya Range.
Mahakoshal (Mahakaushal)
The southeastern portion of the state, which includes the eastern end of the Narmada river valley and the eastern Satpuras. Jabalpur is the most important city in the region.
Climate
Madhya Pradesh has a topography that is crossed from north to south by plains separated by upland areas. 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. Best time to visit is between September to February. The state has three main seasons:
Winter
November to February are the months of winter during which the average temperatures range from 10° to 27° C (50° to 81° F). Winters are usually pleasant and dry.
Summer
The March-to-May season is hot and dry. Summers are hot, with an average temperature of 29° C (85° F) and a high temperature that at times reaches 48° C (118° F).
Monsoon season
The climate is monsoonal between June to September. During the monsoon season temperatures average 19° to 30° C (66° to 86°). Madhya Pradesh receives an average annual rainfall of about 1200 mm (nearly 50 in), of which 90 percent falls during the monsoon season.
How to reach
By Train
Trunk Rail route connecting nothern India passes through Madhya Pradesh. Main junctions in the state are Bhopal, Bina, Gwalior, Indore, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Ratlam, Ujjain & Khandwa.
By Air
Major airports linking Delhi, Bombay, Varanasi & Nagpur are Bhopal, Indore, Khajuraho & Gwalior. Stations linked by Vayudoot are Bhopal, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, Guna, Indore & Jabalpur. Bhopal is also connected to Jaipur, Raipur & Nagpur by Vayudoot.
| Distance from Bhopal to (Highways in Kms): | |||||
| City | Distance | City | Distance | City | Distance |
| Agartala | 2454 | Gurgaon | 737 | Panaji | 1291 |
| Agra | 541 | Guwahati | 1855 | Paradwip | 1266 |
| Ahmedabad | 568 | Gwalior | 423 | Pathankot | 1220 |
| Aizawl | 2321 | Haldia | 1435 | Patna | 911 |
| Ajmer | 543 | Hassan | 1536 | Pondicherry | 1600 |
| Akola | 537 | Hissar | 908 | Porbandar | 962 |
| Aligarh | 624 | Hubli | 1198 | Pune | 802 |
| Allahabad | 551 | Hyderabad | 839 | Purulia | 1188 |
| Ambala | 935 | Imphal | 2339 | Raipur | 630 |
| Amritsar | 1191 | Indore | 186 | Rajkot | 784 |
| Asansol | 1130 | Jabalpur | 308 | Rameswaram | 2027 |
| Aurangabad | 588 | Jaipur | 584 | Ranchi | 1069 |
| Bhaktiyarpur | 959 | Jaisalmer | 982 | Ranippettai | 1620 |
| Bangalore | 1401 | Jalandhar | 1108 | Raurkela | 1065 |
| Barauni | 1022 | Jammu | 1327 | Rohtak | 805 |
| Barddhaman | 1233 | Jamnagar | 870 | Sagar | 183 |
| Bareilly | 753 | Jamshedpur | 1217 | Saharanpur | 874 |
| Belgaum | 1132 | Jhansi | 381 | Salem | 1604 |
| Bellary | 1206 | Jodhpur | 743 | Sambalpur | 892 |
| Bhagalpur | 1146 | Jorhat | 2158 | Shahjahanpur | 827 |
| Bhavnagar | 755 | Kakinada | 1188 | Siliguri | 1380 |
| Bhubaneshwar | 1192 | Kandla | 933 | Shillong | 1955 |
| Bikaner | 776 | Kanniyakumari | 2082 | Shimla | 1086 |
| Bilaspur | 654 | Kanpur | 601 | Shivpuri | 311 |
| Calcutta | 1356 | Kochi | 1981 | Silchar | 2181 |
| Chandigarh | 981 | Kohima | 2194 | Solapur | 912 |
| Chennai | 1435 | Kolhapur | 1035 | Srinagar | 1620 |
| Chittardurga | 1334 | Kota | 342 | Surat | 651 |
| Coimbatore | 1741 | Kozhikode | 1756 | Thane | 736 |
| Cuttack | 1167 | Krishnagiri | 1492 | Thanjavur | 1777 |
| Dehradun | 922 | Kurnool | 1045 | Thiruvananthapuram | 2154 |
| Delhi | 744 | Lucknow | 678 | Thrissur | 1855 |
| Dhanbad | 1084 | Ludhiana | 1049 | Tiruchchirappalli | 1751 |
| Dhule | 445 | Madurai | 1847 | Tirunelveli | 2001 |
| Dibrugarh | 2294 | Mangalore | 1576 | Tirupati | 1431 |
| Dimapur | 2129 | Meerut | 752 | Tuticorin | 2099 |
| Dindigul | 1781 | Moradabad | 808 | Udaipur | 589 |
| Durgapur | 1170 | Motihari | 1209 | Ujjain | 188 |
| Ganganagar | 1041 | Mumbai | 779 | Ulhasnagar | 733 |
| Gangtok | 1494 | Muzaffarnagar | 803 | Vadodara | 509 |
| Gaya | 926 | Muzaffarpur | 1125 | Varanasi | 676 |
| Ghaziabad | 736 | Mysore | 1540 | Vijayawada | 1039 |
| Ghazipur | 748 | Nagpur | 352 | Vishakhapatnam | 1312 |
| Gorakhpur | 849 | Nanded | 730 | Warangal | 802 |
| Gulbarga | 992 | Nashik | 594 | ||
| Guntur | 1071 | Nellore | 1263 | ||
Information Centres
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
4th floor, Gangotri, T.T.Nagar,
Bhopal-462003. Ph. 554340/43
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
C\O Hotel Tansen, 6, Gandhi Road
Gwalior. Ph. 21568, 26742
Government of India Tourist Office
Opp. Western Group of Temples
Khajuraho - 471606. Ph. 2047
Regional Office
MPSTDC Tourist Bungalow Complex
Khajuraho - 471606. Ph. 2051.
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
74, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Colaba
Mumbai-400005. Ph. 2187603, 2184860.
Festivals
Bhagoria Haat, Jhabua
This colourful festival of the Bhils and Bhilalas, particularly in the district of West Nimar and Jhabua, is actually in the nature of a mass svayamvara, a marriage market, usually held on the various market days falling before the Holi festival in March. As the name of the festival indicates, (bhag, to run), after choosing their partners, the young people elope and are subsequently accepted as husband and wife by society through predetermined customs. It is not always that boys and girls intending to marry each other meet in the festival for the first time. In a large number of cases the alliance is already made between the two, the festival providing the institutionalised framework for announcing the alliance publically. The tradition is that the boy applies gulal, red powder, on the face of the girl whom he selects as his wife. The girl, if willing, also applies gulal on the boy's face. This may not happen immediately but the boy may pursue her and succeed eventually. Earlier, the Bhagoria haat was also the place for settling old disputes; open invitations were sent to enemies for a fight in the haat. Bloody battles used to be quite common in the past but today police and administration do not allow people to go to the haat armed. The Bhagoria haat also coincides with the completion of harvesting, adding to it the dimension of being an agricultural festival as well. If the crops have been good, the festival assumes an additional air of gaiety. In the life of the Bhils and Bhilalas, Bhagoria is not merely one festival but in fact a series of fairs held one by one at various villages on their specific market days, commencing eight days before Holi.
Khajuraho Festival of DancesThe Khajuraho Festival of Dances draws the best classical dancers in the country who perform against the spectacular backdrop of the floodlit temples every year in February/March. The past and the present silhouetted against the glow of a setting sun becomes an exquisite backdrop for the performers. In a setting where the earthly and the divine create perfect harmony - an event that celebrates the pure magic of the rich classical dance traditions of India. As dusk falls, the temples are lit up in a soft, dream-like ethereal stage. The finest exponents of different classical Indian styles are represented - Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, and many more. With international status under the Government of India programme categories, this seven-day extravaganza is a unique treat for connoisseurs from all over the world.
Tansen Music Festival, Gwalior
Madhya Pradesh occupies a special position in the history of Indian music. The Gwalior gharana is among the most prominent arbiters of the classical style. Raja Mansingh's patronage of Dhrupad singers is well known. A pillar of Hindustani classical music, the great Tansen, one of the 'nine jewels' of Akbar's court, lies buried in Gwalior. The memorial to this great musician has a pristine simplicity, and is built in the early Mughal architectural style. More than a monument, the Tansen Tomb is a part of Gwalior's living cultural heritage. It is the venue of the annual Indian classical festival held here in November-December. Renowned classical singers of the land regale audiences through five mesmerizing night-long sessions of the much-loved classical ragas.
Madai fair
In the tribal villages of Bastar the Madai fairs record their social consideration as of vital importance to all the ethnic groups of the area. The Madai fairs of Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Dantewara and Dhanara, falls within February, March and April every year.
Chaitra fair
In the Chaitra fair held at Biaora (Malwa), the Dhup Dehi ka Mela of Hirapur (Rewa Division), the Ram Navami fair of Naya Gaon, the Bhilat Baba ka Mela of Seoni and the Gal Yatras held at over two dozen villages of Malwa are worth mention.
Tejaji's fair
A good number of fairs are held in the 10th day of the month of Bhadra, to mark the birth of Tejaji. Many tales are current about this legendary figure. In Tejaji's fairs rituals are made to cure snake-bite. In Guna district at Bhamavad village there is a platform on which a statue of Tejaji on his horse is installed. Every year during the fair many persons come with pieces of cloth round their necks. This they untie near the platform and as soon as they untie it, they become unconscious only to regain it after water and milk are sprinkled on their faces. Similar rituals are witnessed in the fairs held at Sagar village of the same area and at Rawati of Ratlam district.
Other Fairs
The Somnath Sankarji ka Mela (In the month of Asadha and Bhadra at Deotalab (Rewa) )
The Triveni ka Mela held at Ratlam Kartika at Ujjain, Mandhata (Nimad), Naya Gaon and many other places.
The Singaji Jatra held at Piplya vilage of Nimad
The Kumbha Mela ( after every twelve years at Ujjain )
Lachhandas Baba's fair (Laljit ka Pura-Morena)
The fairs of Hira Bhumia (Gird-Gwalior)
Shah Peer Budhan (Sanwarw-Shivapuri district)
Abda Peer (Bamhori-Rewa)
Chaumukh Nath (Panna)
Baba Shabuddin Saheb Oulia (Mandsaur district)
Kaluji Maharaj (Piptya Khurd-West Nimad)
Singaji (Rajpur Tehsil-Nimad)
Khalari (Mahasamund-Raipur)
Bhilat Baba ka Mela (Malapur and Seoni Malwa-Hoshangabad)
Garibnath Baba ka Mela (Awantipur Barodia-Shajapur district)
Kana Baba ka Mela (Harda Tehsil)
Ramlila Mela of Bhander (oldest fair )
The Bhaya Sokar Devi fair of Rewa
The Unao or Baramju fair of Datia
The Somhar Dev Baba ka Mela of Goradiya village (West Nimad) is held in the honour of Somhar Dev whose glory is recited in a narrative called Pathwad.
In addition to this, all other festivals of India are also celebrated with great enthusiasm at Madhya Pradesh.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the basis of Madhya Pradesh's economy. Less than half of the land area is cultivable, however, and its distribution is quite uneven because of variations in topography, rainfall, and soils. The main cultivated areas are found in the Chambal valley, the Malwa Plateau, the Rewa Plateau, and the Chhattisgarh Plain. The Narmada valley, covered with river-borne alluvium, is another fertile area. The most important crops are rice, wheat, sorghum (jowar), corn (maize), pulses (legumes such as peas, beans, or lentils), and peanuts (groundnuts). Rice is grown principally in the east, where there is more rainfall, while in western Madhya Pradesh wheat and sorghum are more important. The state is the largest soybean producer in India. Other crops include linseed, sesame, sugarcane, and cotton, as well as inferior millets, which are grown in hilly areas. The state is a large producer of opium (in the western district of Mandasor, near Rajasthan) and marijuana (in the southwestern district of Khandwa [East Nimar]).
Madhya Pradesh is rich in minerals, though these resources have not yet been fully exploited. There are large reserves of coal and important deposits of iron ore, manganese ore, bauxite, limestone, dolomite, copper, fireclay, and china clay. Diamond reserves at Panna are of particular interest.
Industry
The major industries of the state are electronics, telecommunications, petrochemicals, food processing and automobiles. The state has also taken a lead in the production of cement. The state is also famous for its traditional handicrafts and handlooms manufactured at Chanderi and Maheshwar. The state is well endowed with potential hydroelectric power. Main hydroelectric projects (jointly developed with other states) are the Babanthadi with Maharashtra, the Ban Sagar with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Chambal Valley with Rajasthan, the Narmada Sagar with Gujarat and Rajasthan, and the Rajghat and Urmil with Uttar Pradesh. The Hasdeo Bango, Bargi, and Birsinghapur thermal power projects are also within the state. The Narmada Sagar project has been a source of controversy because of its potential for damaging the environment.
People
Madhya Pradesh has at least four agro-climatic zones, and thus, has the most interesting mix of people and ways of life. It is home to about 40 percent of India's tribal population. Of the total 48 districts, 23 are predominantly tribal. The major tribes of Madhya Pradesh are Gonds, Bhils, Oraons, Korkens, and Kols. Away from the tribal stock of Madhya Pradesh the rest of the population consists of Hindu communities. They include Rajput landholders, traditional merchant classes and established agriculturists. The industries and factories in the urban areas have drawn labour from all the classes. A small percentage of Parsis, Muslims and Jains also add to the racial mosaic of Madhya Pradesh. The state presents in all a varied matrix of tribal culture ranging from animists and fowlers to advanced cultivators and factory workers. The socio economic condition of the people has improved considerably since independence. People have become conscious of their rights. The economy of the state has developed to a desired satisfaction. Social changes were bound to occur in the tribal section of the population of the state. Social welfare agencies made them aware of many things. There are instances of adapting traditional Hindu manners and ritualistic patterns by some of the Adivasis.
Dress
The peasant population of the state wears the dhoti. A white or a black jacket called bandi or mirzai is still in vogue in Bundelkhand and Malwa. Safa is worn on the head in the eastern parts of the state and pagri or paga (turban) is preferred in the western regions. Among the new generations trousers, socks and shirts have become very common. Women wear coloured lehnga and choli. A piece of cloth known as orni or lugra is used to cover the head and the shoulders. In the central region they prefer red and black colours, while yellow, blue and green are admired by the Chhathisgarhi women. Madhya Pradesh is famous for its colourful dresses and the art of jewellery. It is during the festivals that the women of this vast region wear their finest clothes and ornaments.
Language
Hindi is the official and most widely spoken language. In addition to standard Hindi, several regional variants are spoken, which are considered by some to be dialects of Hindi, and by others to be distinct but related languages. Among these languages are Malvi in Malwa, Nimadi in Nimar, Bundeli in Bundelkhand, and Bagheli in Bagelkhand and the southeast. Each of these languages or dialects has dialects of its own. Other languages include Bhilodi (Bhili), Gondi, and the isolate Kalto (Nahali), all spoken by tribal groups. The second most important common language is Marathi. Other languages spoken are Urdu, Marathi, Sindhi, Punjabi, Gujrati etc.
Culture
The state's cultural lineage is ancient and checkered. Madhya Pradesh occupies a special position in the history of music. The Gwalior gharana is among the most prominent arbiters of style. The rivalry of Tansen and Baiju Bawra is remembered in fantastic detail to this day. In modern times, the revival of north Indian classical music was accomplished by the legendary Ustad Allaudin Khan, guru of famous sitarist Pt. Ravi Shankar and sarod player Ali Akbar Khan. MP also has a rich tribal culture: the bison-horn dance of the Muria tribe in Madhya Pradesh is a dynamic interpretation of nature's mating season.
Famous Personalities
Madhya Pradesh has produced great men and women who are held in high esteem due to their great deeds. India's immortal poet-dramatist Kalidas belonged to Ujjain and great musician Tansen to Gwalior. Bravery of great women like Durgawati, Avantibai, Kamlapati and Devi Ahilya Bai is inscribed in golden letters in history. Among the eminent artists/poets produced by the state are Shri Makhan Lal Chaturvedi, Ustad Allauddin Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Hari Shankar Parsai, Sharad Joshi, Gajanan Madhav Mukti Bodh and Vinod Kumar Shukla.
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
4th floor, Gangotri, T.T.Nagar,
Bhopal-462003. Ph. 554340/43
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
C\O Hotel Tansen, 6, Gandhi Road
Gwalior. Ph. 21568, 26742
Government of India Tourist Office
Opp. Western Group of Temples
Khajuraho - 471606. Ph. 2047
Regional Office
MPSTDC Tourist Bungalow Complex
Khajuraho - 471606. Ph. 2051.
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
74, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Colaba
Mumbai-400005. Ph. 2187603, 2184860.
Festivals
Bhagoria Haat, Jhabua
This colourful festival of the Bhils and Bhilalas, particularly in the district of West Nimar and Jhabua, is actually in the nature of a mass svayamvara, a marriage market, usually held on the various market days falling before the Holi festival in March. As the name of the festival indicates, (bhag, to run), after choosing their partners, the young people elope and are subsequently accepted as husband and wife by society through predetermined customs. It is not always that boys and girls intending to marry each other meet in the festival for the first time. In a large number of cases the alliance is already made between the two, the festival providing the institutionalised framework for announcing the alliance publically. The tradition is that the boy applies gulal, red powder, on the face of the girl whom he selects as his wife. The girl, if willing, also applies gulal on the boy's face. This may not happen immediately but the boy may pursue her and succeed eventually. Earlier, the Bhagoria haat was also the place for settling old disputes; open invitations were sent to enemies for a fight in the haat. Bloody battles used to be quite common in the past but today police and administration do not allow people to go to the haat armed. The Bhagoria haat also coincides with the completion of harvesting, adding to it the dimension of being an agricultural festival as well. If the crops have been good, the festival assumes an additional air of gaiety. In the life of the Bhils and Bhilalas, Bhagoria is not merely one festival but in fact a series of fairs held one by one at various villages on their specific market days, commencing eight days before Holi.
Khajuraho Festival of DancesThe Khajuraho Festival of Dances draws the best classical dancers in the country who perform against the spectacular backdrop of the floodlit temples every year in February/March. The past and the present silhouetted against the glow of a setting sun becomes an exquisite backdrop for the performers. In a setting where the earthly and the divine create perfect harmony - an event that celebrates the pure magic of the rich classical dance traditions of India. As dusk falls, the temples are lit up in a soft, dream-like ethereal stage. The finest exponents of different classical Indian styles are represented - Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, and many more. With international status under the Government of India programme categories, this seven-day extravaganza is a unique treat for connoisseurs from all over the world.
Tansen Music Festival, Gwalior
Madhya Pradesh occupies a special position in the history of Indian music. The Gwalior gharana is among the most prominent arbiters of the classical style. Raja Mansingh's patronage of Dhrupad singers is well known. A pillar of Hindustani classical music, the great Tansen, one of the 'nine jewels' of Akbar's court, lies buried in Gwalior. The memorial to this great musician has a pristine simplicity, and is built in the early Mughal architectural style. More than a monument, the Tansen Tomb is a part of Gwalior's living cultural heritage. It is the venue of the annual Indian classical festival held here in November-December. Renowned classical singers of the land regale audiences through five mesmerizing night-long sessions of the much-loved classical ragas.
Madai fair
In the tribal villages of Bastar the Madai fairs record their social consideration as of vital importance to all the ethnic groups of the area. The Madai fairs of Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Dantewara and Dhanara, falls within February, March and April every year.
Chaitra fair
In the Chaitra fair held at Biaora (Malwa), the Dhup Dehi ka Mela of Hirapur (Rewa Division), the Ram Navami fair of Naya Gaon, the Bhilat Baba ka Mela of Seoni and the Gal Yatras held at over two dozen villages of Malwa are worth mention.
Tejaji's fair
A good number of fairs are held in the 10th day of the month of Bhadra, to mark the birth of Tejaji. Many tales are current about this legendary figure. In Tejaji's fairs rituals are made to cure snake-bite. In Guna district at Bhamavad village there is a platform on which a statue of Tejaji on his horse is installed. Every year during the fair many persons come with pieces of cloth round their necks. This they untie near the platform and as soon as they untie it, they become unconscious only to regain it after water and milk are sprinkled on their faces. Similar rituals are witnessed in the fairs held at Sagar village of the same area and at Rawati of Ratlam district.
Other Fairs
The Somnath Sankarji ka Mela (In the month of Asadha and Bhadra at Deotalab (Rewa) )
The Triveni ka Mela held at Ratlam Kartika at Ujjain, Mandhata (Nimad), Naya Gaon and many other places.
The Singaji Jatra held at Piplya vilage of Nimad
The Kumbha Mela ( after every twelve years at Ujjain )
Lachhandas Baba's fair (Laljit ka Pura-Morena)
The fairs of Hira Bhumia (Gird-Gwalior)
Shah Peer Budhan (Sanwarw-Shivapuri district)
Abda Peer (Bamhori-Rewa)
Chaumukh Nath (Panna)
Baba Shabuddin Saheb Oulia (Mandsaur district)
Kaluji Maharaj (Piptya Khurd-West Nimad)
Singaji (Rajpur Tehsil-Nimad)
Khalari (Mahasamund-Raipur)
Bhilat Baba ka Mela (Malapur and Seoni Malwa-Hoshangabad)
Garibnath Baba ka Mela (Awantipur Barodia-Shajapur district)
Kana Baba ka Mela (Harda Tehsil)
Ramlila Mela of Bhander (oldest fair )
The Bhaya Sokar Devi fair of Rewa
The Unao or Baramju fair of Datia
The Somhar Dev Baba ka Mela of Goradiya village (West Nimad) is held in the honour of Somhar Dev whose glory is recited in a narrative called Pathwad.
In addition to this, all other festivals of India are also celebrated with great enthusiasm at Madhya Pradesh.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the basis of Madhya Pradesh's economy. Less than half of the land area is cultivable, however, and its distribution is quite uneven because of variations in topography, rainfall, and soils. The main cultivated areas are found in the Chambal valley, the Malwa Plateau, the Rewa Plateau, and the Chhattisgarh Plain. The Narmada valley, covered with river-borne alluvium, is another fertile area. The most important crops are rice, wheat, sorghum (jowar), corn (maize), pulses (legumes such as peas, beans, or lentils), and peanuts (groundnuts). Rice is grown principally in the east, where there is more rainfall, while in western Madhya Pradesh wheat and sorghum are more important. The state is the largest soybean producer in India. Other crops include linseed, sesame, sugarcane, and cotton, as well as inferior millets, which are grown in hilly areas. The state is a large producer of opium (in the western district of Mandasor, near Rajasthan) and marijuana (in the southwestern district of Khandwa [East Nimar]).
Madhya Pradesh is rich in minerals, though these resources have not yet been fully exploited. There are large reserves of coal and important deposits of iron ore, manganese ore, bauxite, limestone, dolomite, copper, fireclay, and china clay. Diamond reserves at Panna are of particular interest.
Industry
The major industries of the state are electronics, telecommunications, petrochemicals, food processing and automobiles. The state has also taken a lead in the production of cement. The state is also famous for its traditional handicrafts and handlooms manufactured at Chanderi and Maheshwar. The state is well endowed with potential hydroelectric power. Main hydroelectric projects (jointly developed with other states) are the Babanthadi with Maharashtra, the Ban Sagar with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Chambal Valley with Rajasthan, the Narmada Sagar with Gujarat and Rajasthan, and the Rajghat and Urmil with Uttar Pradesh. The Hasdeo Bango, Bargi, and Birsinghapur thermal power projects are also within the state. The Narmada Sagar project has been a source of controversy because of its potential for damaging the environment.
People
Madhya Pradesh has at least four agro-climatic zones, and thus, has the most interesting mix of people and ways of life. It is home to about 40 percent of India's tribal population. Of the total 48 districts, 23 are predominantly tribal. The major tribes of Madhya Pradesh are Gonds, Bhils, Oraons, Korkens, and Kols. Away from the tribal stock of Madhya Pradesh the rest of the population consists of Hindu communities. They include Rajput landholders, traditional merchant classes and established agriculturists. The industries and factories in the urban areas have drawn labour from all the classes. A small percentage of Parsis, Muslims and Jains also add to the racial mosaic of Madhya Pradesh. The state presents in all a varied matrix of tribal culture ranging from animists and fowlers to advanced cultivators and factory workers. The socio economic condition of the people has improved considerably since independence. People have become conscious of their rights. The economy of the state has developed to a desired satisfaction. Social changes were bound to occur in the tribal section of the population of the state. Social welfare agencies made them aware of many things. There are instances of adapting traditional Hindu manners and ritualistic patterns by some of the Adivasis.
Dress
The peasant population of the state wears the dhoti. A white or a black jacket called bandi or mirzai is still in vogue in Bundelkhand and Malwa. Safa is worn on the head in the eastern parts of the state and pagri or paga (turban) is preferred in the western regions. Among the new generations trousers, socks and shirts have become very common. Women wear coloured lehnga and choli. A piece of cloth known as orni or lugra is used to cover the head and the shoulders. In the central region they prefer red and black colours, while yellow, blue and green are admired by the Chhathisgarhi women. Madhya Pradesh is famous for its colourful dresses and the art of jewellery. It is during the festivals that the women of this vast region wear their finest clothes and ornaments.
Language
Hindi is the official and most widely spoken language. In addition to standard Hindi, several regional variants are spoken, which are considered by some to be dialects of Hindi, and by others to be distinct but related languages. Among these languages are Malvi in Malwa, Nimadi in Nimar, Bundeli in Bundelkhand, and Bagheli in Bagelkhand and the southeast. Each of these languages or dialects has dialects of its own. Other languages include Bhilodi (Bhili), Gondi, and the isolate Kalto (Nahali), all spoken by tribal groups. The second most important common language is Marathi. Other languages spoken are Urdu, Marathi, Sindhi, Punjabi, Gujrati etc.
Culture
The state's cultural lineage is ancient and checkered. Madhya Pradesh occupies a special position in the history of music. The Gwalior gharana is among the most prominent arbiters of style. The rivalry of Tansen and Baiju Bawra is remembered in fantastic detail to this day. In modern times, the revival of north Indian classical music was accomplished by the legendary Ustad Allaudin Khan, guru of famous sitarist Pt. Ravi Shankar and sarod player Ali Akbar Khan. MP also has a rich tribal culture: the bison-horn dance of the Muria tribe in Madhya Pradesh is a dynamic interpretation of nature's mating season.
Famous Personalities
Madhya Pradesh has produced great men and women who are held in high esteem due to their great deeds. India's immortal poet-dramatist Kalidas belonged to Ujjain and great musician Tansen to Gwalior. Bravery of great women like Durgawati, Avantibai, Kamlapati and Devi Ahilya Bai is inscribed in golden letters in history. Among the eminent artists/poets produced by the state are Shri Makhan Lal Chaturvedi, Ustad Allauddin Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Hari Shankar Parsai, Sharad Joshi, Gajanan Madhav Mukti Bodh and Vinod Kumar Shukla.
| Madhya Pradesh at a glance | |
| Capital | Bhopal |
| Area (sq km) | 308,244 |
| Population | 7,25,97,565 (Census 2011) |
| Male | 3,76,12,920 |
| Female | 3,49,84,645 |
| Females per 1000 males | 930 (Census 2011) |
| Literacy | 70.6 % |
| Male | 80.5 % |
| Female | 60 % |
| Ratio of urban population | 27.63% (Census 2011) |
| Density of Population | 236 per sq km |
| Principal Languages | Hindi |
| Recorded Forest Area ('000 sq. km) | 155.4 |
| Revenue Divisions | 10 |
| Districts | 50 |
Agro-Climatic Regions
Chhatisgarh plains
Balaghat
Northern Hill Region
Shahdol, Anuppur, Sidhi and Parts of Mandla
Kymore Plateau & Satpura Hills
Rewa,Satna,Panna, (Partly) Seoni and Katni tehsil of Katni.
Central Narmada Valley
Jabalpur, Katni (except Katni teh.) Narsinghpur and Hoshangabad & Harda
Vindhya Plateau
Bhopal,Sehore,Raisen, Vidisha,Guna,Ashoknagar,Sagar & Damoh.
Gird Region
Gwalior,Bhind,Shivpuri (except Pichore and Karera Tehsil ). Morena & Sheopur kala
Bundel-khand
Chhattarpur,Datia, Tikamgarh, part of panna Teh.Karera and Pichore of Shivpuri.
Satpura Plateau
Betul & Chhindwara
Malwa Plateau
Mandsaur,Ratlam, Ujjain,Dewas, Indore,Shajapur, Rajgarh & Dhar (except Kukshi & Manawar Tehsils) and Petlawad Tehsil of Jhabua.
Nimar Plains
Khandwa,Burhanpur,Khargone, Barwan,i Kukshi & Manawar, Tehsils of Dhar District.
Jhabua Hills
Jhabua District. (Except Petlawad Tehs )
Chhatisgarh plains
Balaghat
Northern Hill Region
Shahdol, Anuppur, Sidhi and Parts of Mandla
Kymore Plateau & Satpura Hills
Rewa,Satna,Panna, (Partly) Seoni and Katni tehsil of Katni.
Central Narmada Valley
Jabalpur, Katni (except Katni teh.) Narsinghpur and Hoshangabad & Harda
Vindhya Plateau
Bhopal,Sehore,Raisen, Vidisha,Guna,Ashoknagar,Sagar & Damoh.
Gird Region
Gwalior,Bhind,Shivpuri (except Pichore and Karera Tehsil ). Morena & Sheopur kala
Bundel-khand
Chhattarpur,Datia, Tikamgarh, part of panna Teh.Karera and Pichore of Shivpuri.
Satpura Plateau
Betul & Chhindwara
Malwa Plateau
Mandsaur,Ratlam, Ujjain,Dewas, Indore,Shajapur, Rajgarh & Dhar (except Kukshi & Manawar Tehsils) and Petlawad Tehsil of Jhabua.
Nimar Plains
Khandwa,Burhanpur,Khargone, Barwan,i Kukshi & Manawar, Tehsils of Dhar District.
Jhabua Hills
Jhabua District. (Except Petlawad Tehs )
Tourism in Madhya Pradesh
At the heart of India, the magic of Madhya Pradesh lies in its exquisitely carved temples, proud fortresses and variety of wildlife. Most of the state is a high plateau, historically known as the Malwa region. Home to many pre-Aryan tribes such as the Gonds and Bhils, Madhya Pradesh is still overwhelmingly Indo-Aryan with the majority of the people speaking Hindi.
Besides, Gwalior city, MP's other attractions are: Udaygiri, an excursion from Bhopal, with notable cave sculptures of religious themes, the medieval city of Orchha with exquisite palaces and cenotaphs, the Khajuraho temples, cave paintings at Bhimbetka , Sanchi , unmatched repository of Buddhist art and architecture, the city of love, Mandu .
Capital: Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a fascinating amalgam of an old historic city, and modern urban planning. It is situated on the 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja but the present city was established by an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed. Today it presents a multi-faceted profile: the old city with its marketplaces and fine old mosques and palaces still bears the aristocratic imprint of its former rulers, among them the succession of powerful Begums who ruled Bhopal from 1819 to 1926. Equally impressive is the new city with its verdant, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern edifices.
History: The history of Madhya Pradesh goes back to the time of Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler. To the Chandelas, however, goes the credit of building the fantastic monuments of Eros, Khajuraho, in the north of the state. Between 12th and 16th centuries, the region saw continuing struggles between Hindu and Muslim rulers and invaders. The fortified city of Mandu in the southwest, was the scene of frequent battles. Madhya Pradesh finally fell to the Mughals.
Culture: The state's cultural lineage is ancient and checkered. Madhya Pradesh occupies a special position in the history of music. The Gwalior gharana is among the most prominent arbiters of style. The rivalry of Tansen and Baiju Bawra is remembered in fantastic detail to this day. In modern times, the revival of north Indian classical music was accomplished by the legendary Ustad Allaudin Khan, guru of famous sitarist Pt. Ravi Shankar and sarod player Ali Akbar Khan. MP also has a rich tribal culture: the bison-horn dance of the Muria tribe in Madhya Pradesh is a dynamic interpretation of nature's mating season.
The People: Hindus form the majority of the population, but there are significant minorities of Muslims, Jains, Christians, and Buddhists and a small population of Sikhs. Hindi is the official and most widely spoken language; tribal languages include Bhili and Goni, as well as eastern and western Hindi dialects. The second most important common language is Marathi. Agriculture dominates the Madhya Pradesh economy. MP is also famous for its sari weaving, embroidery and beadwork
Tribals: A number of tribes occupy Madhya Pradesh, including the Bhil, Baiga, Gon, Korku, Kamar, Kol, and Maria. Many of the tribal traditions are still vital and strong, although they have been exposed to outside cultural influences. A great deal of tribal mythology and folklore is also preserved; e.g., the Gon bards still sing of the legendary deeds of Ling-pen, the mythical originator of the tribe. All tribes retain myths and legends regarding their origins, and they have songs for the ceremonies of birth and marriage, together with folktales, riddles, and proverbs illustrating their cultural heritage.
CLIMATE: The climate is monsoonal, with much of the rain falling from June to October. The March-to-May season is hot and dry, and temperatures everywhere are higher than 29º C. Winters are usually pleasant and dry. Generally, rainfall decreases westward and northward; in the east and southeast it averages 60 inches or more, dropping to 40 inches or less in the west and less than 30 inches in the Chambal River valley to the north. Best time to visit: September to February.
Population: 74 million
Festivals: Khajuraho dance festival in March; Navaratri in Sept/Oct; The Malwa festival in Indore, Mandu and Ujjain and the Panchmarhi festival.
Tourist Offices:
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., 4th floor, Gangotri, T.T.Nagar, Bhopal-462003.
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., C\O Hotel Tansen, 6, Gandhi Road, Gwalior. T
Government of India Tourist Office, Opp. Western Group of Temples, Khajuraho - 471606.
Regional Office, MPSTDC, Tourist Bungalow Complex, Khajuraho.
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., 74, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Bombay-400005.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Barua Sagar
Panchmarhi
Kanha park
Bandhavgarh park
Udaygiri
Mandu
Sanchi
Shivpuri
Videsha
Jahaz Mahal
Raj Mahal
Jai Vilas Palace
Asharfi Mahal
Hindola Mahal
Marble Rocks
Deogarh
Pench National Park
CITIES & TOWNS
Bhopal
Gwalior
Jhansi
Khajuraho
Indore
Ujjain
Omkareshwar
Maheshwar
Orchha
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
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Madhya Pradesh , India's second largest state and the geographical heartland of the country, is situated in the centre of the country. Except for the valleys of the Narmada and the Tapi rivers, M.P. consists of a plateau with a mean elevation of 1600 ft. above sea level, interspersed with the mountains of the Vindhyachal and the Satpura ranges. |
Cities
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| Chitrakoot | |||
| Jhansi | |||
| Omkareshwar | |||
| Satna | |||
Wildlife of Madhya Pradesh
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| Achanakmar | Bandhavgarh | Bori | Dubri(Sanjay) |
| Kanha | Panna | Madhav | Barnawapara |
| Sitanadi | |||
Madhya Pradesh Temples
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| Adinath | Kandariya | Sas Bahu | Parsvanatha |
| Chaturbhuj | Vishwanath | Lakshmana | Mahakaleshwara |
| Shri Omkar | |||