One of the most interesting mosques in the country, Moti Masjid was built in 1862 by the most progressive and free-thinking woman of her time, Sikander Jahan Begum. Crafted with beautiful, pure white marble, the architecture of the mosque holds a striking resemblance to the historic Jama Masjid in Delhi. The dazzling white facade of the monument has earned it the name ‘Pearl Mosque’, which has a grand courtyard that opens a window to some of the most amazing views of the city.
Sitting in close proximity to Upper Lake, the Van Vihar National Park is one of the unmissable tourist places in Bhopal. It is home to a wide array of wildlife like Blackbuck, Cheetal, Sambar, Blue Bull, Porcupine, Wild Boar, and Hyena, besides exotic floral species.
The museum's displays have their roots in the tribal culture. The campus is carefully segregated into 6 galleries, each of which is dedicated to the tribal culture, life, art, and mythology. If you’re a history buff or a mythology enthusiast, this place is one that you absolutely cannot afford to miss out on.
One of the most unbeatable places to visit in Bhopal, and possibly in entire India, the magnificence of the Sanchi Stupa remains unmatched till date. Believed to have originated in the 3rd century BCE, the building was built in the reign of the great emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty and is one of the most remarkable Buddhist monuments in the country. The Mauryan king undertook the task of redistributing the mortal remains of Lord Buddha all across the face of the country in order to spread the reach of Buddhism. The gigantic dome of the Stupa contains a central vault where the relics of Lord Buddha have been placed.
Founded in 1982, the building displays modern art, contemporary thought, expression, and innovation. Fostering a huge art gallery, an amphitheater, an auditorium, a tribal museum, and libraries of Indian poetry and folk music, the building is flanked by the lovely Upper Lake, and its terrace offers beguiling views. Housing a number of courtyards and offices, Bharat Bhawan is a visual treat for patrons of arts and humanities all around.
Upper Lake, locally referred to as ‘Bhojtaal’ or ‘Bada Talab’, is the oldest man-made lake in India. Dating back to the 11th century, the lake is believed to have been built by Raja Bhoj. The lake is overlooked by a grand royal garden called Kamla Park, which is another tourist magnet, tempting tourists into its serene folds every year. The ambience and setting of the two places are too remarkable to be ignored, and warrants a top spot in your Bhopal tour itinerary, without any doubt.
Located at a short distance of 23 km from Bhopal, the beautiful Raisen Fort sits atop a verdant hill, surrounded by a few temples, and houses numerous wells and a huge reservoir in its folds. Said to be over 800 years old, the fort shelters a temple and a mosque, besides numerous domes out of which only 2 have been spared by the sands of time. Famous as the shrine of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba, a renowned Muslim saint, the fort is a stronghold of people’s beliefs. The fort has witnessed the reign of several rulers since its installation in the 13th century. Ideal for patrons of history, culture, and religion, Raisen Fort should not be missed.