Bhopal district General information
Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a fascinating amalgam of scenic beauty, old historic city and modern urban planning. It is the 11th century city Bhojpal, founded by Raja Bhoj, but the present city was established by an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed (1707-1740). His descendants build Bhopal into a beautiful city.
Geography
The district has an area of 2,772 km², and a population 1,836,784 (2001 census). The population of Bhopal District increased by 51% from 1981 to 1991, and by 36% from 1991 to 2001. Bhopal District is bounded by the districts of Guna to the north, Vidisha to the northeast, Raisen to the east and southeast, Sehore to the southwest and west, and Rajgarh to the northwest.
Bhopal is 741 km from Delhi, 789 km from Mumbai, and about 200 kms from Indore.Major Tourist attractions like Kanha, Ujjain and Sanchi are close by and well connected. Both railway station and bus stand are within easy walking distance of the main hotel area along Hamidia road.
Air
Bhopal is connected by regular Alliance Air flights to Mumbai, Indore, Delhi and Gwalior. Sahara Airlines connect Bhopal with Delhi, Guwahati, Goa, Indore and Lucknow. Airport is 15 km from the city center.
Rail
Bhopal is on one of the two main Delhi to Mumbai railway lines and also on the main line to the southern state capitals of Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Thiruvananthpuram. There are direct trains to Amritsar and Jammu Tawi and also to major towns in Madhya Pradesh.
Road
There are extensive bus services (private and state) to cities within the region and interstate.
Climate
The climate is moderate in Bhopal. The summers are hot and winters cold. But it does not face extreme weather conditions.It rains moderately during rainy season.The weather is pleasant through out the year.
Tourist Place
Taj-ul-Masajid: This is the largest mosque in the country. The building of this mosque was begun by Shah Jehan Begum (1868-1901) but was incomplete on her death and was completed only after 1971. The most impressive features of the mosque are its main hall with inter-arched roof, broad facade, spacious courtyard, and smooth marble flooring.
Jama-Masajid: Jama Masjid is located at the centre of chowk bazar, a busy business centre of Bhopal.This was built in 1837 by Kudsia Begum. This Masjid was completed in 24 years. To built this masjid , an amount of Rs. 60.5 lakhs was spent. This beautiful mosque has gold spikes in the minarets of this beautiful mosque.
Moti-Masajid: Moti Masjid is architecturally akin to Jama Masjid in Delhi. It was built in 1860 by the Sikandar Jehan Begum daughter of Kudsia Begum (Sikandar Jehan).
Idgah: Shahjahan Begum got it built on about five acres of land . This area is known as idgah hills. Muslim devotees offer their prayers on ID and other occasions.
Shaukat Mahal & Sadar Manzil: Shaukat Mahal is situated at the entrance to the Chowk area in the heart of the city. It was designed by a Frenchman, said to be descendant of the Bourbon kings of France. Shaukat Mahal is an architectural marvel and a cynosure of all eyes. Sadar Manzil is the , Hall of public audience of the former rulers of Bhopal.
Bharat Bhawan: Bharat Bhawan is one of the most unique national institutes in India. This is a centre for the performing and visual arts. Bharat Bhawan is designed by the renowned architect Charles Currier. There are a museum of the arts, an art gallery, a workshop for fine arts, a reparatory theatre, indoor and outdoor auditoria, rehersal room, and libraries of Indian poetry, classical and folk music .
Manav Sangrahalaya (Museum of Man kind): An open-air exhibition of tribal house types located on Shamla Hills. The exhibition highlights the architectural features and has elaborately displayed interiors. The surroundings have been reconstructed to match some of the interesting environmental features of tribal villages. The habitat is open every day except on Mondays and national holidays from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Upper Lake: One thousand years ago ,Bhopal lake was built by late parmar king Bhoj known as Upper lake. There is a saying that once king Bhoj suffered from skin disease. All vaidya’s failed to cure him. One day a saint told king Bhoj to build a tank to combine 365 tributaries and than have a bath in it to wipe out the skin disease. As per saints version, king Bhoj called upon his engineers to build up a huge tank. They spotted a place near river Betwa, which was 32 K.M. away from Bhopal. When this was measured , it was found that it has only 359 tributaries . A Gond Commander Kalia fulfilled this shortage. He than gave the address of an invisible river. After merging the tributaries of this river the number 365 was completed. The Upper lake is divided from the Lower by an over bridge and is six sq. km. in area. There are facilities for exciting trips by sail, paddle, and motor-boats.
Lower Lake: The history of this lake is about two hundred years old. This was built by Chote Khan, A minister in the kingdom of Nabab Hayat Mohd. Khan in the year 1794. Before construction of this lake, there were many wells, which were used to draw water for agricultural and other purposes. But after the construction of the tank all wells merged in this lake. The smaller lake is spread over an area 7.99 square kilometer. A Century and half ago the tank was maximum 11.7 meters and minimum 6.16 meters deep.
Van Vihar: It is the center of attraction for local as well as foreign tourists which is located on a hill near to upper lake in natural surroundings. Wide spread lake water,turning roads,sweet murmurs of birds on the trees,cold waves, peaceful atmosphere and the natural beauty of van vihar give a lot of self enjoyment. Van Vihar is spread over an area of 445 hectares. There are many wild animals like Tiger,Leopard,Panther are a treat to watch.
Fish Aquarium: It is situated near Raj-Bhavan and old assembly hall. It came into existence on 31st May,1977. Covering one hectare area fish house is built in fish like structure. It attracts visitors a lot. Fish house is a double storey structure. Upper portion has forty glass aquariums, where various species of living and colorful fishes can be seen. In the Fish house you can see Golden Shark,paradise blue,Rosy Barb,King Kobra,Golden plata,Golden Gormi, Tiger Barb,Black Moor and King Zebra.
In the lower section are 26 big aquariums. Here is kept collection of fishes brought from state and national lakes,rivers and ponds,Among these can be seen Rohu, Katla, Mirgal, Sawal, Padin, Collet, Ticto, Pencil-Fira and Bam fish. Fish hose is open for visitors from 1st April to 30th Sept from 1.00 PM to 8 PM and from 1st October to 31st March from 12.00 PM to 7 PM.
Regional Science Centre: This is a science museum located on the picturesque Shyamala Hills. This centre houses about 300 science exhibits in ‘Invention’ and ‘Fun Science’ galleries. ‘Taramandal’ and Planetarium at the centre helps the students and enthusiasts study the astral and mysterious world of stars, galaxies and the universe. Stargazing sessions are organized at the planetarium for those who want to have a real close view of these luminous bodies.
Birla Mandir: Birla Mandir is situated at the highest point of Bhopal, atop area Hills. Birla Mandir not only provides a spiritual experience but also a panoramic view of the breath taking picturesque city of Bhopal. It is a place where one can have an overview of the entire Bhopal city. The temple has a museum attached to it where there is a rich collection of sculptures from Raisen, Sehore, Mandsaur, and Shahdol districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Gufa Mandir: The famous temple is located near Lalghati. It is said that Late Baba Narayandas founded it in the year 1949. In the large campus of mandir, beautiful idols of Lord Shiva ,Ram – Laxman, Sitaji,Goddes Durga and Hanuman are built. People and devotees from different places come for darshan everyday. A sanskrit college is also located in the campus.
Khatlapura Mandir: Shri Ram temple is situated near lower lake and district Commandant office. It was built 150 years ago. Beautiful idols of Lord Ram , Laxman, Sitaji,Goddes Durga , Sitla Mata, Lord Ganesh, Saibaba, Lord Shankar sitting on Nandia attract lot of devotees and visitors. A fare is held every year on Dol-Gyaras.
Capital's Park: Park’s beauty attract tourists. In Bhopal, Main parks are Kamla park,Vardhman park, Kilol park, Karishma Park, Yadgare Shahjahani park, Neelum park, Naunihal park, Ekant park, Chinar park and Nandan park. During evening these parks are visited by by citizen’s of the localities.