As you travel the length and breadth of Madhya Pradesh, you’ll encounter sights that you’ve never seen before, experiences that will transform into stories. We present to you the five must visit cities of Madhya Pradesh!
Table of Contents
Mandu
Mandu is a well known town in Madhya Pradesh.The city of Mandu is adorned with spell-binding Afghan architecture surrounded by baobab trees, native to Africa. The grand palaces are still alive with royal romance while the gateways (darwazas) speak of a history of imperial conquests. A walk through Mandu will leave you awe-struck, the way you used to be listening to stories from grandparents. One of the best destinations to visit is the Jahaz Mahal. Floating over it’s own reflection, the Jahaz Mahal in Mandu looks like a ship that’s about to sail. However, for centuries this ship made of stone and mortar never did. Instead, it stood floating over the twin lakes, bearing a silent witness to Mandu’s long, rich and varied history.
Orchha
The historic town of Orchha, nestled on the banks of river Betwa, was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput Chief, Rudra Pratap. Here, the river Betwa splits into seven channels, also called the Satdhara. Legend goes that this is in honour of the seven erstwhile Chiefs of Orchha.
The ancient town seems frozen in time, with its many monuments continuing to retain their original grandeur even to this day. Here you will find some of the most fascinating temples and palaces that will help you realise a childhood fantasy – travelling back in time! Here you can visit Raja Mahal, Jehangir Mahal, Laxmi Narayan Temple, SEL show and much more.
Sanchi
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.
Ujjain
One of Hinduism’s seven sacred cities, Ujjain boasts a wealth of cultural heritage, largely in the form of temples. Situated on the banks of the Shipra River, the city dates back to 600 BC and was once the residence of Ashoka. It was also the political and commercial hub of central India and the capital of the ancient Avanti Kingdom. Ujjain’s spiritual charm is undeniable. The famous poet, Kalidas, described it as ‘The town fallen from Heaven to bring Heaven to Earth’. The many temples give you glimpses of a glorious past.
Panchmarhi
Situated at 1100 m, Pachmarhi, popularly known as ‘Satpura ki Rani’ (Queen of Satpura), sits beautifully, embellished by nature and history, amidst the Satpura range. This beautiful region in the hills, was discovered by Captain James Forsyth in 1857. This most popular hill station of Madhya Pradesh is a treasure with ancient caves of the Buddhist era residing in harmony with serene waterfalls. Pachmarhi is sure to make you feel calm, the way you felt when you put your bare feet on the garden grass for the first time, as a child.

