Bhopal
According to legend, the present city of Bhopal — the capital of Madhya Pradesh — is located at the site of an earlier city built by Raja Bhoj in the 11th century. The present shape of the place was given by an Afghan chief named Dost Mohammad Khan after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707. The city centres around a lake divided and separated by a bridge. A cruise on the lake leaves one enchanted, especially by night as the twinkling lights of the city dwellings present a fairyland-like backdrop.
ACCESS
There are regular flights to Bhopal from Mumbai, Delhi, Gwalior, and the city is on the Delhi-Chennai main railway line.
Bhopal is also connected by excellent motorable roads to the major towns and cities. It is 743 km from Delhi and 786 km from Mumbai.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The Taj-ul-Masjid, Jama Masjid, the Moti Masjid and the two lakes — the upper and the lower lake. There is also a modern Lakshmi Narain Temple and Museum and an Archaeological Museum.
EXCURSIONS
Bhimbhetka (40km) with the 600 recently discovered caves and rock shelters belonging to the neolithic age, Bhojpur (28 km) — the site of an exquisite Siva Temple of the 11th century, Delawadi (62 km) — a picnic spot, Hathaikheda (10 km) — a fishing and angling spit, Islamnagar (11km) palace and garden, the enchanting forests of Samardhs (26 km), Sanchi (46 km) the site of magnificent Buddhist stupas and monuments, and Kerwan (17 km) — an excellent picnic spot.
SHOPPING
The specialities of Bhopal are silver jewellery, lacquer bangles, Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees, leather toys, gold-thread embroidered vanity bags and sandals.
ACCOMMODATION
Jehan Numa Palace (3star), 157, Shamla Hills, Bhopal 462 013 Phones: 540100 (7 lines). Fax: 0755-540720.
Lake View Ashok, (3-star) Shamla Hills, Bhopal -462 013. Phones: 541600-10. Fax: 0755-541607.
Amer Palace (3-star), 209, Zone-I, M.P. Nagar, Bhopal-462 011. Phone: 557127. Fax: 0755-575308.
Nisarga (3-star), 211, M.P. Nagar, Zone-I, Bhopal. Phones: 555701-3; Fax: 555701-3, 558948-49.
The Residency (3-star), 208, Zone 1, M.P. Nagar, Bhopal. Phones: 556001-06; Fax: 0755-557637.
Palash, Near 45 Bungalow, T.T. Nagar, Bhopal. Phones: 0755-553006, 553076, 553066; Fax: 0755-552384.
Panchanan, New Market, T.T. Nagar, Bhopal. Phone: 0755-55147; Fax: 0755-552384;
Ramsons International, Hamidia Road, Bhopal. Phone: 535298/99.