Primary scope of our visit to Madhya Pradesh was the visit to Bandhavgarh National Park (known also as Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve) hoping to be able during our three Jeep Safaris to spot and photograph the tiger.
Cradled in the picturesque hills of Central India, the Tiger Reserve is one of the best places to see wild Royal Bengal tigers. The Reserve has the highest tiger density compared to any other India’s Reserves.
Coming closer to the Bengal tiger in its natural habitat is a magical moment, a real great experience to live and you will no doubt feel goosebumps!!!!
The Reserve is spread over 1100 sq. km. including the buffer zones. The altitude the park lies between 400 to 800 meters.
A part from the tiger population, the area is also rich in biodiversity with more than 30 species of mammals, 260 species of birds, 70 species of butterflies.
But Madhya Pradesh has, besides the Tiger Reserve Parks, other interesting places one must visit. One of them is KHAJURAHO !
Khajuraho is home to various Hindu and Jain temples built during the Chandela dynasty in the 10th and 11th centuries. Of the 85 temples constructed during that period, 22 still exist within an area of about 6sq km2. All temples were rediscovered in the 1850’s after being neglected for centuries.
The splendor of the intricate statues is one of the reasons that makes it a popular and much appreciated site to visit.
The temples of Khajuraho are magnificent examples of the Nagara style of temples. The carvings seem to be predominantly about Hindu deities and mythology. Architectural style also follows Hindu traditions. The carvings reflect the four goals (Purusartha) of life in Hinduism: Dharma (righteousness), Kama (love, desire), Artha (wealth), Moksha (liberation).
Erotic images are also very common in the temple. These sculptures are believed to reflect the idea of female beauty and fertility.
The Khajuraho group of Monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 and is considered one of the “seven wonders” of India.
But also GWALIOR and ORCHAA need special attention
Gwalior, celebrated as the “City of Temples” is famous for its palaces and religious sites. It is rich in architectural marvels. The Fort, situated 100 m. above from the town is the main attraction. Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, the Fort dominates the city and is its most significant monument. A steep road winds upwards the Fort, flanked by statues of the Jainism religion.
Around the walls of Gwalior Fort, Jain temples create unique monuments groups. The Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments, called Gopachal Parvat Jain monuments are a group of rock-cut carvings dated back between the 7th and 15th centuries during the Tamar dynasty. The caves where the carvings are created, vary in dimension, some ave very small but others are very deep. On the walls you can see different representations of Jain followers such as deities or the Tirthamkars, the Jainist prophets succeeded during the hystorical cycles to reveal Jainism to the mankind. Many of the statues however were defaced and destroyed under the orders of the Muslim Emperor Babur of the Mogul Dynasty in the 16th century.
ORCHAA: Where the whispers of medieval history can be heard!
Orchaa literally means “hidden place”. Founded in the 16th century by Bundela Rajput chief, Orchaa is an historical town on the banks of the Betwa river. It’s known as the city of palaces because of the many forts and temples.
Orchaa has also 14 cenotaphs situated by the river, that serve as memorial to Orchaa Bundela rulers.
SANCHI is a famous world heritage site that is known for housing the stupas that contain leftovers pf Buddha. The great Stupa in Sanchi was specially made by Emperor Ashoka.
MANDU in an ancient city, now called Mandav, located in the Dar district. This fortress town on a rocky outcrop, about 100 km far from Indore, is famous and celebrated for its architecture. Due to its strategic position and natural defenses, it was an important military outpost and its military past can be seen by the circuit of battlemented wall of about 37 km with 12 gateways.
It has been an interesting trip in a State of India, Madhya Pradesh, new to us. As for the past trips in India we could once again appreciate the beauty of temples and monuments but above all the kindness and hospitality of Indian people.
NAMASTE’