Excursions Near Bhopal

Sanchi / Udaigiri
Sanchi is known for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century to the 12th century. The most famous of these monuments, is the Sanchi Stupa 1, which was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, the governor of Ujjayini, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant from adjacent Vidisha. Their son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra were born in Ujjayini and sent to Srilanka, where they converted the King, the Queen and their people to Buddhism.

Bhojpur
Bhojpur is named after its founder, the Parmara king Bhoj. Bhojpur is situated 28 km from Bhopal on the banks of river Betwa. Bhojpur is famous for the incomplete Bhojeshwar temple, which is dedicated to Shiva. The temple houses the largest Shiva lingam in India, which is 5.5 m (18 ft) tall and 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in circumference and is crafted out a single rock.

Bhimbetka
Enclosed by the northern tassel of the majestic Vindhyans, Bhimbetka in Bhopal is characterized by rock-strewn topography with thick woods and wrinkled precipices. The biggest depository of antediluvian knacks in India, Bhimbetka is a retreat of serenity and harmony for the picnickers. One of the most primitive dwellings of human race, Bhimbetka boasts of a history of 35000 years old.

Tawa Dam
The Tawa Dam & Reservoir offers a scenic escape from the hustle bustle of city life. It is set amidst lush greenery, and offers much scope for adventure. Sunsets viewed from the dam are especially enchanting. Even more enchanting is the lake cruise, which takes you on a serene hour-long ride along the dreamy little islands dotting the reservoir and the panoramic hills of the Satpura to Churna. Here you can indulge in a jungle safari at the Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Halali
Halali dam is known as Samrat Ashok Sagar Project. It is constructed across Halali river a tributary of Betwa river.Catchment area of the project is 699 sq. km. It is about 47 kilometers from Bhopal's New market and towards Sanchi.

Ratapani (Delabadi)
Ratapani is a Jungle & Wildlife Safari Lodge, situated barely 30 Kms from the City of Bhopal, on the fringes of the upcoming Ratapani Tiger Reserve, 200 meters from the Kolar Dam. Amidst beautiful and dense teak forests, an area inhabited by Tiger, Leopards, Wildcats, Sloth-bears Foxes, Hyenas, Deer's and Languor's, is The Ratapani, a quiet and quaint Jungle Jungle Lodge, spread over the edge of a cliff, overlooking the Kolar Reservoir and the beautiful Ratapani Jungles, in the valley below.

Kerwa Dam
Kerwa dam is a popular picnic spot near Bhopal city. It is around 15kms from Bhopal city and very well connected by road. It was developed as an eco-tourism site where Bhopal people can spend their day while enjoying the scenic nature, birding, adventure games etc. It covers 69sq.kms. area which includes it catchment area.

Mahadevpani
The another religious as well as heritage site near the Bhopal is the Mahadev pani. Mahadev Pani (Lord Shiva’s waters) is a small tourist near Raisen road (NH86) about 15-20 Kms form main city, near a small village named Sehatganj. It has a small dam, its reservoir, small waterfalls amid extensive rocky surface. The waterfall attracts visitors from all around the city. You are at the top of the mountain with waterfall flowing below.

Handia Narmada Bank
The proposed site is located about 96 km from Bhopal and 61 km from Hoshangabad near village Dimawar of Sehore District and lies at Latitude 22°35 ¢ 20²N and Longitude 77°21 ¢ 10² E. The deepest riverbed level at Barrage site is about 267.473m. Handia (Dimawar) HE project, a run of the River scheme and is a part of Cascade development of Projects on River Narmada. Pre feasibility report of Handia HE Project was prepared by NHDC Limited in June'2004.

Gyaraspur
41 km north-east of Sanchi, Gyraspur was a place of considerable importance in the medieval period. Here, in the ruins called Athakhambe (eight pillars) and Chaukhambe (four pillars) are what remains of the columned halls of two temples belonging to the 9th and 10th centuries AD. The faceted shafts of Athakhambe with their extreme delicacy of carving testify to the high degree of craftsmanship during the period. Other monuments of note at Gyraspur are of the early 10th century: Bajra Math and Mala Devi Temple, the latter distinguished by its carved pillars with foliated motifs, representatives of the richest post-Gupta style.

Udaipur
The temple built of sand stone enclosed with a dwarf compound wall, the outer face of which was carved richly. The main temple consists of a shrine a hall, three entrance porches and sikhara. it is built in Bhumija style. The mandapa is richly carved and has porches on three sides. Two inscriptions engraved on the temple record the construction of temple during paramara king Udayaditya, between 1059 to 1080.