Bhopal: The City of Lakes – Everything You Need to Know
Bhopal, the city of lakes!! One of the underrated gems of the country, Bhopal may not be a place that comes to mind first when thinking of travel; but the solace and serenity you will find here amidst delightfully beautiful backdrops will undoubtedly charm you and make it a special trip for years to come. Bhopal City, popularly known as the “City of Lakes” is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, which is situated at the heart (central part) of India. The ‘Nawabi’ city abounds in a variety of beautiful and interesting places ranging from national parks to zip-lining spots and has recently also captured the attention of several filmmakers, with many popular Hindi shows and movies being shot here. The city is divided into two areas, ‘Old Bhopal‘ and ‘New Bhopal‘ with the New Bhopal City being a hotspot for many tourists. So, let’s take a tour of one of the greenest cities in India, Bhopal. How to Reach Bhopal? By Air By Rail By Road Places to visit in Bhopal Van Vihar Kerwa Dam Jehan Numa Palace Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum Taj-ul-Masjid Birla Mandir FAQs Final Words Bhopal: The City of Lakes How to reach Bhopal? By Air: Bhopal has direct connectivity with the major cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Raipur, and Hyderabad, with several flights available around the year. From the eastern and southern parts of India, you can get connecting flights via these cities to Bhopal. By Rail: The ‘Old Bhopal’ and ‘Bhopal Habibganj’ stations are regarded as World-Class Stations with well-maintained amenities, and have connectivity with most cities in India. Trains like the ‘Shatabdi Express’ and ‘Bhopal Express’ have a wide reach and are very convenient and reliable modes of transportation. By Road: Bhopal is linked to several cities via road. The roads are well maintained with multiple rest stops along the way. There are many highways like MP SH 18 which connects Bhopal to Ahmedabad, there is NH46 which connects Gwalior, Bhopal, Guna, and terminates in Betul. Bhopal is connected to many 2 and 3 tiers cities through state bus services, like Indore(190km), Ujjain(189km), and Nagpur(354km). You can easily take a bus from Bhopal to Indore, Shirdi, and various other cities. Now that we have talked about how to get there, let’s look at the activities you can indulge in when visiting the regal city of Bhopal! Plan a Bhopal Experience Places to Visit in Bhopal Bhopal is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The city is home to a number of historical and religious sites, as well as a number of natural attractions. Here are some of the best places to visit in Bhopal: 1. Van Vihar A profound National park and Zoo in central India and is definitely a place to ‘vihar’ that is, to visit. Van Vihan National Park consists of various spots like the rescue center, zoological gardens, conservation breeding centers, and of course, the national park. The zoo houses a diverse variety of fauna ranging from the tiger, hyena, sloth bear, and leopard, as well as the fear-inducing reptilian display including pythons and many more scaled creatures. A park is set right next to the famous Upper Lake, also known as the ‘Bada Talab‘ of Bhopal. You can also engage in various events like bird-watching camps, photography competitions for various categories, and wildlife week celebrations. The wildlife celebrations begin on 1st October to spread awareness around the conservation of wildlife. Van Vihar is a beautiful spot with lush green trees, swampland and even boasts of a cycling track. Tourists and locals alike often rent bicycles to enjoy a tranquil ride amidst the forests and alongside the beautiful lake shimmering in the light of the rising sun while the whole city sleeps. Van Vihar is open throughout the year and the timings are 6 am to 7 pm from Saturday to Thursday (closed on Fridays). You can take a cab to reach this attraction. Also, you can do Van Vihar online booking now. Van Vihar National Park 2. Kerwa Dam Kerwa Dam is known for its scenic beauty and is a hotspot for tourists who want to try out zip-lining and other adventure sports conducted here. You can see different hues of green in the rich gardens, relish street food at the Kerwa restaurant, and children can have a great time at the swings near the garden. There is also a good spot in the garden for people to view the entire dam backed by the breathtaking sight of rich greenery. You can book your spot for zip lining at a booth near the dam and enjoy a splendid experience. Camping at the Kerwa Dam is another major attraction, the Serenity Camp nearby offers an exciting camping experience including fun ice-breaking sessions and sports like cricket, and water volleyball. There are bonfire nights filled with fun and frolic, and you can also enjoy your own company and indulge in stargazing in the serene night sky lit up like diamonds, away from the hustle-bustle of the city. Kerwa Dam is open on all days from 8 am to 6 pm. The best time to visit is during the rainy season when the dam is gushing with water and its gates are opened. You can either hire a taxi or take a rental car and enjoy a lovely drive along with the fields. Travel Experiences Kerwa Dam 3. Jehan Numa Palace Jehan Numa Palace is one of Bhopal’s finest hotels with a legacy of over 100 years. It beautifully replicates the old ‘Nawabi’ style of Bhopal. Bhopal has inculcated the Mughlai touch in its cuisine and is extremely famous for its Mughlai dishes, the most famous of them being the ‘Bhopali Gosht Korma Mughlai’. Y You can relish this appetizing dish at the Jehan Numa Palace which will definitely
Tosh-Kheerganga, Himachal Pradesh
A perfect hideout for solo travelers. Every place has its own beauty and relevance for a traveler. Tosh is a place of magnificent mountains, beautiful terrain, and escaping landscapes. If you are lucky enough to travel in winters, you might come across snow-covered mountains all along your trek. A place of happy faces, generous localities, and a hub of solo travelers is all you would be in need of to escape your routine life. ???????????????? Tosh, situated a couple of hours away from Kasol, is a quick stay for a traveler who can eventually explore nearby villages like Kalga, Pulga, Nathan, and Kutla. You can engage in late-night discussions with the #Toshis or you can take a hike to #Kheerganga with other travelers. You can even discover little waterfalls and explore the nearby forest areas. And well, do not forget to savor the delightful and mouthwatering food that the Cafes offer! If it is #Shanti that you crave for, this has to be on your list! ???????? So when are you planning your trip this Summer? #TheTarzanWay #Explore #Nurture #Inspire Read more about the travel experience from Himachal Pradesh in the blog written by Sandeep!!
Dhanushkodi: The Ghost Town
“Everything has come to an end, marking its way for new beginnings.” Outlined by the Bay of Bengal on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other, this place should be your next destination if you are fond of spotless white sand, #the ruins of an old town, and the spooky experiences of #ghostly existence. #Dhanushkodi, declared as the #GhostTown is one of the less travelled places of South India. Blemished with the havoc of #1964Tsunami, this town is the most fascinating of all. On one side, we found a structure in ruins which looked a lot like an old church. The other side was a sight of ruins of an old railway station , where you can literally see the railway lines disappearing in sand! #Haunted yet divine, this place plays a role in Hindu mythology too. Can you recall the Ram-Setu bridge built by Lord Ram’s Army? Yes, this is the place where it all began ! In a layman’s language, Dhanushkodi is the stretch of land that you see running from #India to #SriLanka, which gradually disappears in water. The deserted place is inhabited with a few people who do not understand English or Hindi. But who won’t take an interest in the hand-made sea jewellery they sell? You will find hardly any shops here except for a few jewellery shops that are run by the inhabitants at reasonable prices! Enjoy the sea, the warmth of the sun, the cool breeze, the pristine white sand and capture the ruins of the entire town! To all the #writers, #photographers and #filmmakers, this place can be your new inspiration ! Where damages and liveliness co-exist. Where breathtaking stillness is a price. Where spectacular stretches of sand have unsaid stories. Dhanushkodi. Ghost Town, since 1964. #Explore Read more about the travel experience from Dhanushkodi in the blog written by Murali!!
