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Madhya Pradesh as its name implies, lies in the heart of India. It covers an area of 308,000 sq. km, bordering the states - Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
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Madhya Pradesh consists largely of a plateau streaked with the hill ranges
of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras with the Chhattisgarh plains to the east. The hills give
rise to the main river systems - the Narmada and the Tapti, running from east to west, and
the Chambal, Sone, Betwa, Mahanadi, and the Indravati west to east. Intersected by
these meandering rivers and dotted with hills and lakes, the state has a varied natural
setting of great beauty.
Customs and beliefs in each area have added colour to the fairs and festivals. Shivratri in Khajuraho, Bhojpur, Pachmarhi and Ujjain; Ramnaumi in Chitrakoot and Orchha, Bhagoriya in Jhabua and the annual festival of dances at Khajuraho are events for the tourists to remember. The Malwa Festival in Indore, Mandu and Ujjain, and the Pachmarhi Festival bring alive the rich folk and tribal culture of the state in colourful celebrations. |
Madhya
Pradesh, as the Modern state, came into being in 1956, its cultural heritage is ancient
and chequered. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and
palaces on hilltops, raise in the visitor's mind visions of empires and kingdoms, of great
warriors and builders, poets and musicians, saints and philosophers; of Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism and Islam.. India's immortal poet-dramatist Kalidasa and the great
musician of the Mughal court, Tansen, were from these parts. One third of the state is
forested and offers a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife. In the national parks of
Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Shivpuri and many others one has the rare opportunity to see the
tiger, as such, Madhya Pradesh is often referred to as the Tiger state of India. A wide
variety of deer, antelope and bison are also the attractions of these parks.