Top Places to visit in Central India

Known For : Jehangir Mahal, Orchha Fort Ram Raja Temple Raja Mahal, Orchha Fort

Known for its grand palaces, intricately carved temples and striking forts, situated on banks of river Betwa Orchha is a city with a lot of historical significance and a photographers' paradise.

Best Time: July to March

16 Orchha Attractions

Known For : Marble Rocks Dhuandhar Falls Chausath Yogini Temple

Also regarded as the Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat, this small town has earned a reputation for the 100 ft tall resplendent rocks on either sides of Narmada in not only India, but all across the world. Bhedaghat is in close proximity of one of the major cities of Madhya Pradesh of Jabalpur.

Best Time: November to March

5 Bhedaghat Attractions

Formerly a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Rewa, this National Park is world-renowned as a tiger reserve.

Best Time: October to June

A delightful town situated in the district of Mandla, Kanha National park is the haven of an exceptionally wide variety of wild animals, including the majestic creature tiger. Wide open grass plains with a backdrop of the city scrapers, scattered bamboo forests play host to a wide variety of wildlife and diverse birdlife with over 300 species recorded. The present-day area stretches over 940-kilometre square which is divided into two sanctuaries: Hallon and Banjar. Located in a central region of Madhya Pradesh it is the largest National Park in central India and has been ranked as one of the best parks in Asia. Among the 22 species of large mammals, the royal Bengal tigers are a major attraction.

Best Time: October to June

Known For : Gwalior Fort Jai Vilas Palace Gujari Mahal (State Archaeological Museum)

A historic city founded by king Surajesan, Gwalior is galore with beautiful monuments, palaces and temples, giving this city a majestic charm which speaks volumes of its glorious past.

Best Time: July to March

34 Gwalior Attractions

Known For : Light and Sound Show, Khajuraho Dulhadev Temple Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Khajuraho is known around the world for its stunning temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings.

Best Time: July to March

25 Khajuraho Attractions

Known For : The Rock Caves Hoshangabad Bhojpur

The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site, exhibiting the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent, and thus the beginning of the South Asian Stone Age. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2003.

Best Time: October to April

4 Bhimbetka Attractions

With the majestic Pench river flowing through the greens and a variety of wildlife to be spotted in the rocky terrains, Pench National Park served as an inspiration for the famous novel 'The Jungle Book'.

Best Time: October to June

Known For : Jahaz Mahal Rani Rupmati's Pavilion Baz Bahadur's Palace

Mandu is the epitome of architectural excellence that our ancestors seemed to have achieved. This city is testament to the unconditional love between Prince Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati. Mandu also boasts of the oldest erected monument of India.

Best Time: October to March

11 Mandu Attractions

Known For : Bee falls Jata Shankar caves Pandava Caves

The only hill station in Madhya Pradesh, Pachmarhi is often known as the queen of the Satpura ranges.

Best Time: Throughout the year

18 Pachmarhi Attractions

Known For : Sanchi Stupa The Great Bowl Ashok Pillar

A symbol of the vast heritage present throughout the culturally rich India, the Buddhist monuments of Sanchi are one of the oldest stone structures in India. Designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the Great Stupa was installed in the 3rd century BC by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty. The sculptures and monuments present at the site are a fine example of the development of Buddhist art and architecture. The stupa sits atop a hill in Sanchi, surrounded by lush gardens, providing visitors peace and serenity at this grand tribute to the peaceful religion of Buddhism.

Best Time: July to March

6 Sanchi Attractions

Known For : Madhav National Park Chhatri The Madhav Vilas Palace

With a very minimal population and located at a height of 478 meters above sea level coupled with some of the most exotic attractions, Shivpuri makes up for a very tranquil and peaceful destination.

Best Time: November to March

9 Shivpuri Attractions

Known For : Holkar Fort Mandleshwar Rajwada

Based on the banks of the River Narmada, this gorgeous town is largely referred to as the temple town of Madhya Pradesh. It also holds a lot of mythological and historical importance given the fact that it has found a mention in the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Best Time: October to March

15 Maheshwar Attractions

Known For : Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple Kedareshwar Temple Parikrama on the Island

Situated at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the holy city of Omkareshwar is shaped in the form of Hindu religious symbol 'Om', due to the merging of two valleys and a central pool of Narmada waters. It derives its name from 'Omkara' which is just one other name of Lord Shiva. Situated on the Mandhata islands, Omkareshwar houses one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas and hence, draws thousands of devotees each year. It has two ancient shrines- Omkareshwar and Amarkareshwar. The sacred town also boasts of architectural wonders and scenic beauty, in addition to the pilgrim sites.

Best Time: October to March

5 Omkareshwar Attractions

Known For : Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Kal Bhairava Temple Ram Mandir Ghat

Ujjain, considered to be one of the holiest cities of India, is an ancient city situated on the eastern bank of the Shipra River in the Malwa region. Ujjain is one of the four sites for the Kumbh Mela, the largest peace gathering on the planet that attracts 100 million people to the festival.

Best Time: October to March

26 Ujjain Attractions

Known For : Upper Lake Van Vihar, Bhopal Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya

Amidst two beautiful man-made lakes, the capital of Madhya Pradesh is a sprawling city with the right blend of culture, heritage and modern life.

Best Time: July to March

30 Bhopal Attractions

Known For : Pandava Falls and Caves Diamond Mines Panna National Park

Panna is a town situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh and holds a lot of historical significance. A former Gond settlement, Panna is a small city in the heart of the country, which boasts of being the only city with diamond reserves. Panna is also most notably known for the Panna National Park which is a world heritage site and a significant initiative towards wildlife conservation in India.

Best Time: November to May

8 Panna Attractions

Known For : Dhuandhar Falls Boat ride to Bhedaghat Sea World Water Park

Jabalpur, located on the shores of river Narmada, is an industrial city picking up as a tourist destination because of its splendid ghats, waterfalls and a mild glitter of historical and cultural structures.

Best Time: August to March

20 Jabalpur Attractions

Known For : Asirgarh Fort Jama Masjid, Burhanpur Dargah-E-Hakimi

Burhanpur is a historical town based on the banks of the Tapti River in Madhya Pradesh. The most interesting piece of trivia would be that Mumtaz Begum, the reason why the Taj Mahal was built, died in Burhanpur while giving birth to her fourteenth child.

Best Time: October to March

5 Burhanpur Attractions

Known For : Narmadakund Kapil Dhara Trimukhi Temple

Amarkantak, also known as "Teerthraj" (the king of pilgrimages) is located amidst the exemplary Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges in Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak is situated at an altitude of 1065 meters making it a hill station with some of the most exquisite temples that one will ever see. One of the holy rivers of India, River Narmada, originates from Amarkantak rendering this place special.

Best Time: October to March

11 Amarkantak Attractions