Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is a wonderful confluence of scenic beauty, old-world charm and urban planning. The two main lakes, the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake are the nuclei of all the hustle and bustle. Bhopal today presents a beautifully mixed profile – the old city’s architectural grandeur is seen in its marketplaces, fine old mosques and palaces which still breathe aristocratic imprint of former rulers – among them a succession of powerful Begums who ruled the city from 1819 to 1926. Equally impressive is the new city with its lush, exquisitely laid out parks and gardens, broad avenues and streamlined modern edifices. It is considered among the greenest and cleanest cities in the country. One can stumble upon the vibrant impact of different faiths and cultures here; the footprints of the Mughals and the Afghans, and reflections of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism – all of which have been blended to perfection, to provide Bhopal a distinct identity.

Ensconced in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, the royal city of Gwalior stands in stately splendour with a stunning hilltop fort and the resplendent Jai Vilas Palace. With a scattering of heritage structures, Gwalior is also the gateway to the wild heart of India, within which are hidden several dense forests and tiger reserves. Interestingly, Gwalior's history is rooted in a legend. It is said that in the 8th century, a local chief, Suraj Sen, fell ill and was in a critical condition when Gwalipa, a hermit cured him. In return, as a gesture of gratitude, Suraj Sen built a city and named it after the saint. Famous for its grand fort situated dramatically on a hill, that was described by Mughal emperor Babur as “the pearl among fortresses in India”, the city of Gwalior is also known for its incomparable reputation in classical Indian music.

Gwalior holds an unparalleled reputation in sangeet, and has retained Indian traditions and the wealth of music intact over the years. The Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest traditions and the one to which most classical Indian musicians can trace the origin of their style. Legendary musicians like Tansen and Baiju Bawara belonged to Gwalior.

Gwalior has been the power centre of a number of dynasties like Kachchhapaghatas, Tomars, Mughals, Marathas and Scindias. The city has witnessed several wars, among which the most famous is the fierce battle that took place between British and Indians under the leadership of Tatya Tope and Rani Lakshmi Bai, the queen of Jhansi, who was martyred here. Legends of Tatya Tope and Lakshmi Bai still abound in the folklores of the region.

The town of Sanchi is synonymous with Buddhist Stupas - hemispherical structures typically containing relics of the Buddha or his followers. The Stupas of Sanchi were constructed on the orders of Emperor Ashoka to preserve and spread the Buddhist philosophy. Sanchi has been protecting these beautiful and sacred architectural wonders, just the way these wonders have been safeguarding ancient history and art of the Mauryan period.The numerous stupas, temples, monasteries and an Ashokan pillar have been the focus of interest and awe for global audiences as well. In fact, UNESCO has given the status of 'World Heritage Site' to the Mahastupa. A visit to Sanchi will bring alive the awe you felt as a child as you listened to the tales of Ashoka.

Known for the immaculate and erotic sculptures of its temples, Khajuraho has successfully taught the lessons of spirituality over greed. This wondrous heritage town is encircled with the Vindhya Mountain Ranges to make it even more delightful. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khajuraho showcases beautiful inscriptions also. The Khajuraho temples were built in the short span of a hundred years, from 950-1050 AD in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world's great artistic wonders. The temples of Khajuraho are India's unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman's artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed.

Snuggled at the heart of the Malwa Plateau, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the city of Indore is home to grand monuments, ancient temples and architectural delights that are a legacy of the mighty Holkar dynasty kings, who were the erstwhile rulers of the region. Rooted in history, Indore is a bustling city that has a busy culinary scene, vibrant bazaars, along with a profound spiritual connection. In fact, its name has been derived from the 18th-century Indreshwar Temple. It is located in an upland area on the Saraswati and Khan rivers, which are tributaries of the Shipra River.

Although Maheshwar was the capital of the Holkars during the reign of Rani Ahilyabai, Indore remained an important commercial and military center. Rajawada, Lal Baug Palace and Sukh Niwas stand testimony to the grandeur of the Holkar era in Indore. Bada Ganapati Temple, with a 26-foot- (8-metre- ) tall replica of Lord Ganesh, the Hindu elephant god and the Kanch Mandir, a Jain temple built of glass inlays and mirrors, are among the major attractions of Indore.

Located at the heart of the state of Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur is a city that offers tourists many natural wonders, mythological lore and historical heritage. The most popular attraction is the marble rocks. It is a deep gorge lined by gigantic mountains of marble carved by the Narmada river that flows through. The intriguing marble rock formations rise as high as 100 ft and the sight of the river rushing through the 8-km-long gorge is awe-inspiring.

Jabalpur also acts as the gateway to the green heart of the state: the famous tiger reserves of Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench. Apart from these, there are many smaller reserves nearby. Some of these are the Virangana, Panpatha and Nauradehi wildlife sanctuaries that make for thrilling explorations. Come to Jabalpur to witness the confluence of modernity and ancientness, along with wildlife, including the spotted deer, birds, wild boar, barking deer, wild dog, chital etc. Another fascinating stopover is the Ghughua National Park, which is home to fossils of plants, seeds, flowers as well as fruits.

Historically, the area was known as the Mahakaushal region and it is believed to be the land blessed by the great Jabali rishi. The Gond kings were supposedly so enthralled by the beauty of the region that they decided to make it a favoured place to relax. This is not hard to believe as one strolls through the magnificent Vindhya range and lush forests that make up the ecological backdrop of the region. Archaeologists, geologists and zoologists all flock to this place because of the innumerable treasures it holds.

Mandavgarh or Mandav or Mandu is famous for its amazing Fort. The fort is 82 km in perimeter and is considered to be the biggest in India. It contain the ruins of palaces, ornamental canals, bath pavilions etc. The fort was once Monsoon retreat of Mughal emperors. Mandu has over 40 monuments which are divided into three category: The central village group, Royal Enclave group, and Rewa kund Group. The city is also famous for the legendary tale of Rani Roopmati and Baaz Bahadur which still hunts the palace. Champa Baodi– a well, the huge 15th century Jami Masjid, the beautiful Jahaz Mahal (ship palace), Hindola Mahal, the romantic Baaz Bahadur palace, Roopmati’s pavilion and Hoshang Shah’s Tomb are some of the unique gems of architecture and must see tourist spots of Mandu. It is believed that emperor Shah Jahan took the inspiration of building Taj Mahal from the Tomb of Hoshang Shah only. Mandu is ideal place to be visited in Monsoon, when the weather is pleasant and surrounding blooming.