Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh combines scenic beauty, history and modern urban planning. Situated on the site of an 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja the city is a gateway to two of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites – Sanchi and Bhimbetka. Sanchi is known for its Buddhist Stupa, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rdC BC to 12th C AD. The most famous of these monuments, the Sanchi Stupa 1, was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashok. Surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhya ranges, Bhimbetka lies 46 km South of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs, over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age were recently discovered. In vivid panoramic detail, paintings in over 500 caves depict the life of the pre-historic cave-dwellers making the Bhimbetka group an archaeological treasure, an invaluable chronicle in the history of man.
