Madhya Pradesh

Some parts of India feel tucked away; Madhya Pradesh feels stretched wide open. Forests, plains, ancient caves, quiet rivers — the landscape changes every hour, but the feeling stays the same. It’s steady, unhurried, and deeply old. They call it the “Heart of India”, and when you’re there, you understand why. Everything pulses outwards from here — culture, history, wildlife, and a sense of space you don’t find in many other states.

Basic Facts & Geography

• Area: ~308,000 km²

• Population: ~72.6 million

• Capital: Bhopal

• Largest city: Indore

Madhya Pradesh sits right in the centre of India, touching Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. It’s a mix of plateaus, forests, hills and broad river valleys — a vast, varied landscape roughly the size of Italy.

Main Cities

• Bhopal: The capital — lakes, heritage, and an easygoing pace.

• Indore: The commercial heart, full of energy and street food.

• Gwalior: A historic city dominated by its magnificent hilltop fort.

• Jabalpur: Scenic rivers and marble rock formations.

• Ujjain: One of Hinduism’s holiest cities.

• Sagar and Chhindwara: Growing urban and cultural hubs.

Famous Foods of Madhya Pradesh

A delicious mix of tribal traditions, Mughal influences, and regional twists.

• Poha: Light, fragrant flattened rice — the state’s favourite breakfast.

• Dal Bafla: A cousin of Rajasthan’s dal baati, but softer and served with plenty of ghee.

• Bhutte Ka Kees: Grated corn simmered with milk and spices.

• Seekh Kebabs & Gosht Korma: Rich Mughal flavours, especially in Bhopal.

• Jalebi: Crisp spirals dripping with syrup — a breakfast treat in many towns.

• Tribal specialities: Distinctive meat dishes, wild greens, and local produce depending on the region.

Madhya Pradesh is a state where wheat, rice, corn and millet all claim their own strongholds — the diversity on a single plate can be wonderful.

Top Things to Do in Madhya Pradesh

• Khajuraho Temples: A UNESCO site known for intricate carvings — spiritual, playful and astonishingly detailed.

• Sanchi Stupa: One of India’s oldest Buddhist monuments.

• Bhimbetka Rock Shelters: Prehistoric cave art dating back tens of thousands of years.

• National Parks:

  • Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench — some of the best tiger reserves in India.

• Pachmarhi: A cool hill station in the Satpura range — forests, waterfalls, caves.

• Historic forts & palaces: Especially in Gwalior and Ujjain.

This is a state for explorers — not the frantic kind, but the curious, the patient, the ones who like their history with a bit of oxygen and quiet.

And Did You Know…

• MP is called the “Heart of India” due to its geography.

• It blends tribal cultures with Hindi heartland traditions — every district feels different.

• Bhimbetka’s cave paintings are among the oldest in the world.

• Food habits shift dramatically: wheat in one region, rice in another, and corn or millet elsewhere.

• The wildlife parks here are among the most successful tiger habitats in India.

Nicola’s Story: Around a Corner in Madhya Pradesh

For me, Madhya Pradesh is all about its small towns — Khajuraho and Orchha especially.

We flew into Khajuraho after a run of busy days, and the slow luxury of a quiet afternoon by the pool felt like a personal festival. Later, we visited the famous temples — around 25 still standing, carved roughly a thousand years ago. The detail is extraordinary. Imagine centuries of stories etched into stone… and yes, many of them of the ahem intimate variety. The sculptors were not shy.

The next day brought a road trip to Orchha — true rural driving, the kind where every corner reveals a surprise. We tried to spot the “Traffic Big Five”: camel, elephant, pilgrimage procession, overloaded truck, and five people on one scooter. We ticked them all.

Because it was Diwali, entire villages were outside painting their doorsteps in bright, joyful colours. We stopped to wish one family a Happy Diwali, and then somehow wound up in another village helping with the decorations. A small group of curious onlookers quickly became what felt like half the district.

My attempt at finger-painting on beautifully smoothed cow-dung flooring (a surprisingly perfect canvas) was declared both “interesting” and “funny”. Laughter came free with the experience.

When it was time to leave, our impromptu audience waved us off like long-lost cousins. It was one of those small-town moments that stays with you — unexpected, warm, and wonderfully human.