This resplendent place could just be your paradise if you are an avid wildlife adventurer from any corner of the world. Popular for its tiger reserves, it is a call of adventure for those who love to explore untouched, diverse wildlife, scattered across this topography. So if you are looking for an unforgettable retreat to India’s wilderness, a Central India tours shall serve your purpose.
The wildlife-rich regions here are no less than a dreamland for nature enthusiasts, ornithologists and obviously, tourists! And the icing on the cake is the Innumerable rivers, streams and waterfalls that adorn this marvelous region.
Nonetheless, it is a treasure delight and it greets you with fascinating wildlife and safari tours. This region also encapsulates historical, cultural, wildlife expeditions in the below Central India tours to suit all your travel interests. But, above all this, Central India also prides itself in a heritage of unparalleled architecture, which would leave you spellbound. Mandu, Bhopal, Maheswar, Sanchi, Khajuraho , Orchha, Gwalior, and Jhansi are a few of the jewels of this area.
The Central region is also a hotspot of many folk dances, art and music forms as well. Odissi and Jawara dances and classical music from the region are popular all over India. This region will provide a capsule of enchanting wildlife, rich culture, architectural heritage and tradition, which is sure to mesmerize you on every visit.
Madhya Pradesh carries the legacy of magnificent architectural heritage. The world famous Khajuraho group of temples ( a UNESCO World Heritage site) built in the tenth century are an ethereal experience. The walls of the temples are embellished with exquisite stone carvings ranging from the erotic to the divine, the commonplace to the sublime! Another centre of architectural excellence in the region is Orchha. This land also proudly presents two of a total of twelve Jyotirlingas (self manifested power centres of Lord Shiva) – Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar.
Madhya Pradesh pulsates with a unique cultural scenario, fairs and festivals forming an integral part of the scene. A week-long Festival of Classic Dances is held at Khajuraho in February-March every year, where the foremost exponents of the classical Indian dance forms perform against the backdrop of the floodlit temples, providing a unique and unforgettable experience to the viewers. Another important event is the Nimar Festival held at Maheshwar at the banks of holy river Narmada around November every year. It is an extravaganza of music, dance, drama, and water sports like boating and canoeing. The holy city Ujjain on the banks of Shipra river, hosts the famous Kumbh Mela where millions of devotees throng for a purifying dip in the river. The city abounds in temples and the spire of the Mahakaleshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva dominates the skyline.
The rocky terrain of Madhya Pradesh hides several archaeological treasures in its bosom. The foremost of them are the Bhimbetka caves (a UNESCO World Heritage site) which are the world’s largest group of rock shelters, which are glorious repositories of pre-historic paintings by cave dwellers. Another group of ancient caves is the Udaigiri Caves which are twenty rock-cut caves which preserve ancient scriptures and carvings. The Jata Shankar temple is a pre-historic cave temple which lies nestled in beautiful lush green hills. It is a popular cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva where there are two natural water ponds.
Madhya Pradesh literally throbs with wildlife almost one third of it is covered with forests. A large number of wildlife reserves here afford tourists with thrilling experiences, where they are taken on jeep safaris with experienced guides. Some of the most famous reserves are, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park (Asia’s largest wildlife sanctuary) and Pench National Park - all of which have high density of majestic Bengal Tigers and lithe leopards, alongwith deers, wild dogs, sloth bears, wild boars, and many other species.
One of the most fascinating sights in Madhya Pradesh is the Dhuandhar falls of Jabalpur, where water of the holy Narmada river plunges from a height of thirty metres with such gusto that a beautiful envelope of cloud and mist is created all around. The river then happily gushes through mountains of white marble on both sides, many times forming a rainbow. The high point of the visit is an evening boat ride in bhedaghat, where the river calms down and flows serenely, surrounded by white marble walls, providing an unforgettable experience.
Malwa Utsav is the biggest festival of Central India in which various artisans, performers and entertainers take the stage to represent their regional art in the form of dance, music and craft displays. This grand spectacle is the ideal choice for you to soak in the real essence of Central India. The best charm of this festival can be experienced in the cities- Indore and Ujjain. This artistic melange also keeps your taste buds pleased with sumptuous delicacies to savor. So if you are an all-time foodie and share special interest in multiple art forms, this festival is the best getaway for you. This 5-day extravaganza sets off every year to celebrate the spirit of dance in Madhya Pradesh. It also showcases the rich art and craft collection of the country.
Malwa Mahotsav in Indore: 2 May 2023 - 8 May 2023
This seven-day festival is among a very few that are celebrated in close proximity to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Khajuraho Group of Temples are UNESCO recognized and becomes the background of its artistic genre. It is believed to be celebrated to welcome the spring season of the year and all the events are organized in an open-air auditorium. A specialty of Khajuraho dance forms is that it’s about expression human emotions through dance. It is a week-long extravaganza of various visual feasts through classical dance forms inspired by the history and culture of the place. You can reach here by booking a flight to Khajuraho Airport or boarding a train to Khajuraho Railway Station easily connected to other major cities of India.
Khajuraho Dance Festival: 20th February- 26th February, 2023
Kumbh Mela is a festival that observes the largest gathering of people from all walks of life. It is organized once in every 12 years at Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar. It is a 55-day long festival that records millions visiting here every day to take holy dips in the sacred river and wash off their sins. You can enjoy the huge splendour of the Kumbh Mela in Ujjain during April-May at the location of Shipra River- one of the holiest rivers of India. Every evening, a holy Aarti is performed to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. This extravaganza is one-of-a-kind that observes a flood of devotees from all walks of life to take holy dips in nectar of immortality (the Ganges River). As per Hindu mythology, a holy dip in the river Ganga washes away all the sins.
Kumbh Mela in Haridwar: Starting on January 6th, 2023, and lasting till February 18th, 2023.
Nimar Utsav is a three-day festival is celebrated in Madhya Pradesh in more glory every year. This festival takes off in November every year and is celebrated at Maheshwar nestled on the banks of Narmada River. It observes spectacular dance, drama and music performances and water activities like boating and canoeing. This cultural extravaganza held on a night before Kartika Purnima is an initiative of the Government of Madhya Pradesh. This festival showcases an exquisite blend of modern upsprings and traditional culture and has been celebrated for over decades. To become a part of the sensational Nimar Utsav, you can book a flight to Indore Airport or board a train to Barawah Railway Station. Upon deboard, hire a cab/taxi to reach Maheshwar.
Nimar Mahotsav: 8 Nov - 10 Nov 2023
