Bhopal

Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a good mix of the old and the new with a lot of old portions of Bhopal reminiscent of the Mughal influence and the new showcasing the planned development of a modern Indian city. Bhopal is the seat of the Madhya Pradesh Government and is a beautiful mid-sized city in the heart of India. It is said that Bhopal was originally called "Bhoj-pal" after Raja Bhoj, who is attributed with founding the city. It was an important part of the "Bhoj" kingdom with Ujjaini being the seat of the kingdom.

A travel to Bhopal will be a charming trip which will surely transport you to the splendor and glory of the Nawab era. The history of Bhopal dates back to the 11th century AD, when the legendary King Bhoja built it. However, the founding of the existing city was by an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed, who fleeing from Delhi in the chaotic period that followed Aurangzeb's death met the Gond queen Kamlapati, who sought his aid after the murder of her consort. A charming legend relates how the queen would recline in a lotus barge that, on moonlights, would drift across the lake. The two lakes of Bhopal still dominate the city and the city has also earned the name the 'city of lakes'.

The city is extremely hot during the peak summertime but winters are surprisingly pleasant. You can visit the state any time of the year but, November to March are the best months to explore this true wonderland. If you are in Bhopal, you just cannot leave the city without visiting the many markets that adorn this land. The state run emporiums offer locally made textiles that are exquisitely embroidered shawls and sarees. From Bhopal, you can go on a day trip to Bhimbetka caves that are just 46 km away from here.