Bhopal Tourism

The capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is a city that is abundant with history. Remnants of the past that seep into its architecture and all that surrounds it, many of the city’s structures can be attributed to the Begums that ruled Bhopal for centuries. Apart from the rule of the Nawabs, Bhopal has been ruled by different dynasties such as the Mughals, Marathas, Gond, as well as the Rajputs, with the most notable of them being Raja Bhoj, after whom even the city is said to have been named after.

With such a rich and elaborate history, there are a number of places in the city to explore that you can include in your itinerary for Bhopal tourism. Experience a magical moment and view the sun set as you walk along the city’s manmade lakes, visit one of the many monuments established by the Begums of Bhopal, take a look at India’s largest mosque, or venture into the city’s national park and spot a wild cat or two in their natural habitat.

A repository of places and things of the past and the new, Bhopal is well known for preserving its diverse culture. From the Nawabs from a time gone by, to the present day tribal traditions, Bhopal takes pride in bringing all of them together to create something that is unlike any other. Explore beautiful Bhopal and let the city surprise you with its many facets.

Quick Bhopal Tourist Info at a Glance

Popular Tourist Places to Explore in & around Bhopal

Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal is a fascinating city with a rich history and an exciting past. The city holds precious to itself the remnants of its Nawabi rulers, in its monuments, structures, and ways of life which give way to some of the best places for tourists to explore in the city today. From Masjids to lakes, to some elaborate palaces, Bhopal is an architecturally rich city. Being the capital of the diverse state of Madhya Pradesh, the city also takes pride in its many tribes and their culture, which it also showcases with honor and respect.

Read along to find out more about Bhopal's top tourist attractions and explore this charming city on your next tour.

Bhopal's Serene Lakes

• Upper Lake: Visiting the Upper Lake in the city is one of the best things to do during a Bhopal tour. Also known as the “City of Lakes”, its lake is something that the city holds in pride. Built by the Raja Bhoj during the 11th century, the lake is also known as Bhojtal or the Bada Talab. At the lake, you can choose to partake in a water sport or simply take a stroll around and relish the beauty of the setting sun. The lake, being a major source of water also makes the perfect spot for bird watchers as well
• Lower Lake: Joined to the Upper Lake with a bridge, Bhopal's Lower Lake is also one of its top tourist attractions and is also referred to as the Chhota Talab. Created in 1794, the lake was commissioned by Chhote Khan, who worked under the then Nawab of Bhopal, Nawab Hayat Muhammad Khan Bahadur in an attempt to beautify the city. During your sightseeing of Bhopal's Lower Lake you can opt from the different types of boat rides at the lake and experience the beauty of the surrounding landscape of Bhopal. A man-made water body, the Lower Lake forms a part of the Bhoj Wetland and is a site with rich biodiversity that houses different species of aquatic wildlife and plants.

Divine Destinations of Bhopal

• Birla Mandir: Forming one of the top places to explore on a Bhopal tourism expedition, Birla Mandir is an important Hindu temple of the city. Dedicated to the divine couple of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu, the temple is also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Along with these deities, the temple also has a shrine worshiping Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati as well. Not just a temple, Birla Mandir also houses the Birla Museum in its premises. Showcasing paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and artifacts dating centuries back, the museum is among the top tourist attractions of Bhopal.
• Bhojeshwar Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Bhojeshwar Temple is among the best places to visit near Bhopal. An important Shiva temple, it is said to house the world's tallest Shivalinga! Although, what sets this temple apart from others is the fact that even though its construction began in 1010 CE, it still remains an incomplete temple. Commissioned by Raja Bhoj, even though unfinished, is a top tourist attraction and is visited by tourists and devotees alike throughout the year. What remain missing from the temple's architecture is its sanctum sanctorum, the main prayer hall or the mandapa, and the shikhara, despite which the Bhojeshwar Temple stands adorned with numerous divine sculptures and carvings all over.

A Testament to its Nawabi Past

• Moti Masjid: Built by the then Nawab of Bhopal, Sikander Begum, Moti Masjid stands to be one of the best places to explore when visiting the city. The name of the masjid translates to mean a “Pearl Mosque”, due to its polished, white exterior. A landmark monument for the city of Bhopal, Moti Masjid has a beautiful architecture that features gates, verandas, and minarets that have been intricately worked upon. Constructed during the mid-19th century, Moti Masjid is a structure made of white marble and red sandstone and remains an important part of the lifestyle of the muslims of the region. Along with holding religious value, Moti Masjid stands to be among the top attractions for tourists.
• Taj-ul-Masajid: Among the largest mosques in the world and the largest mosque in India, the Taj-ul-Masajid is a place that you must include when sightseeing the city of Bhopal. With the name revealing to mean “Crown among Mosques”, Taj-ul-Masajid is a fascinating work of Mughal architecture, the construction of which was initiated by Nawab Shah Jahan Begum in the late 19th century, to be continued by her daughter, Sultan Jahan Begum, who also could not see through it, but would see completion, eventually by 1985. A three-domed structure, displaying a pink exterior, octagonal minarets, and among the most beautiful mosques in the country, Taj-ul-Masjid is one of the top places to include in your itinerary of Bhopal tourism.
• Gohar Mahal: Sitting along the banks of the Upper Lake, Gohar Mahal was built by the then ruler of Bhopal, Qudisiya, or Gohar Begum, its first woman ruler. Among the best places to explore in the city, the palace enjoys the surrounding of the serene lake and attracts numerous tourists to it. Having lost some of its shine to the passage of time, Gohar Mahal has also seen restorations to bring its former glory back. Once a site of mirrored ceiling, colorful wall paintings, and intricate works that can be seen throughout the palace. An important heritage site for the city of Bhopal, Gohar Mahal also hosts exhibits and artistic events occasionally.

A Beacon of Biodiversity

• Van Vihar National Park: Declared a national park in 1981, Van Vihar National Park is an important zoological park and houses wildlife such as tigers, leopards, bears, and hyenas within its premises. One of the best places to explore while visiting the city of Bhopal, the national park is located along the banks of the city's Upper Lake. Along with the numerous wild cats, the park is also home to reptiles such as turtles, crocodiles, and snakes as well. Being situated along the banks of the lake with a rich forest cover around, the national park is also a bird watcher's paradise and also houses a butterfly park.

Of the Tribes of Bhopal

• Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum: One of the top tourist attractions of the city of Bhopal, the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum is a place that you must explore during your tour. Displaying the artifacts and ways of life of the major tribes of Gond, Korku, Bhil, Sahariya, Kol, and Bhariya that reside in the state the museum is an interesting way to learn about the tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh. The museum is divided into different galleries and showcases folklores, rituals, artifacts, and customs of the tribes with colorful sculptures, and handcrafted objects that are sure to grab your attention.

How to Reach Bhopal?

• By Road: Well connected to different parts of Madhya Pradesh, you can take one of the many state run buses that run through the nearby cities. The nearest cities to Bhopal are Ujjain at 191.5 km, Indore at 193 km, Gwalior at 431 km, and Nagpur at 351 km.
• By Train: Well connected to different parts of Madhya Pradesh, you can take one of the many state run buses that run through the nearby cities. The nearest cities to Bhopal are Ujjain at 191.5 km, Indore at 193 km, Gwalior at 431 km, and Nagpur at 351 km.
• By Air: The nearest airport to Bhopal is the Raja Bhoj Airport that operates domestic flights from the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Prayagraj, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Raipur.

Best Time to Visit Bhopal

The best time to visit Bhopal is during the months of October to February since the weather is pleasant and it is comfortable to travel. Here is how Bhopal looks like during different times of the year:

• Summer: Bhopal experiences the season of summer between the months of March to May when it faces an average temperature of 30.3°C and can experience extreme heat with the temperatures even reaching past 43°C.
• Monsoon: Between the months of June to September the city experiences the season of monsoon and witnesses an average temperature of 27°C with heavy rains and extreme humidity, making it an unpleasant experience to travel to the city during this time.
• Winter: In the months of October to February, Bhopal experiences the season of winter with an average temperature of 17°C with minimal rainfall, forming the most ideal season to visit the city.