Bhopal Heritage Walk

Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh state of India. It is a historic city with numerous monuments and water bodies. The city named after the founder, Parmara King Bhoja, earlier its name was Bhojpal and was the centre of the Dravidian culture. The city has historical monuments and landmarks, old mosques and palaces, lakes, well laid out gardens and parks, bustling market places of the old city are a feast in store for tourists. Presence of number of natural and artificial lakes in and around city makes it also known as ‘City of Lakes’ which enhances the natural beauty of the city.

Beautiful lakes and amazing heritage architecture of Bhopal attracts me to visit and explore it. So We decided to go on a Heritage Walk because It gives to explore and experience any attraction with less crowd and noise.

Here We Go…

Starting Point: Kamla Park Bus Stop

It was beautiful morning in the city of Bhopal. We were told to meet at Kamla Park Bus Stop so we reached there by 6:30 am. First we entered to Kamla Park for enjoying the scenic beauty of Lower lake or ‘Chhota Talaab’, Dargah Faiz Bahadur and Kamlapati Palace.

Chota Talab (Lower Lake): (Chota Talaab)Lower lake is very small in compare to Upper Lake with catchment area of 9.6 km².  It was constructed by Chote Khan, a minister of Nawab Hayat Mohammad Khan Bahadur. Lower Lake Bridge or Pul Pukhta separates Chota Talaab and Bada Talaab.

Dargah Faiz Bahadur: Faiz Bahadur was born as Nawab Faiz Bahadur in the year 1746 to then Nawab Yar Muhommad Khan. Since childhood he had inclination towards Sufism and at the age of 17 he fully devoted himself to worship of Allah. In 1977 he died at the age of 31. A mausoleum was built over the Hujra where he breathed his last.

Kamlapati Mahal (Palace): Kamlapati Palace is situated on the bridge between upper lake and lower lake. It was built in the year by Nizam Shah Gond on the name of his wife.

After Lower Lake (Chhota Talaab) we mover towards Upper Lake (Bada Talaa) by crossing bridge turned Road and entered Shital Das ki Bagiya (Sheetal Das Park) for enjoying the adorable view of Upper Lake (Bada Talab), worship at Shital Das Temple and to know more about Hammam Kadimi.

Bada Talaab ( Upper Lake Lake): Upper lake is also known as Bhojtal because It was built by Parmara King Raja Bhoj in the year 1005-1055. The catchment area of lake is 361 km²  with maximum length and width 31.5 km and 5 km respectively. Lake is surrounded by Bhopal city, Van Vihar National Park and agriculture fields. Locals people love to enjoy boating, cruise, eating, music and other activities in the lake.

Shital Das Mandir: Its a small but a beautiful temple in Shital Das Park where people offer their prayer and get blessings.

Hammam Kadimi: Hammam-e-Kadami, as the name suggests, is an old hammam of Bhopal. Built by Dost Mohammad Khan (1722-28), Hammam-e-Kadami is the only hammam that is functioning today, the nearest perhaps being in Turkey.

After Upper lake we walked on the side of lake and moved towards Gauhar Mahal.

Gouhar Mahal: Gauhar Mahal was built in the year 1820 and perfect example of fusion of Hindu-Mughal Architecture. It is located on the bank of Upper Lake (Bada Talab) and spread over an area of 4.65 acres. Its is on the name of Qudsia Begum, also known as Gauhar Begum. Now a days, Gauhar Palace is best place for Handloom Shopping and Handicraft products. Famous Mrignayani Emporium is in it’s campus only.

Walked though narrow lanes and reached Iqbal Maidan. Its a ground surrounded by beautiful palaces and mosques of Hindu, Roman, French, Italian and Islamic Architecture. This building centred ground shows the glory of Nawabs and their lifestyle.

Moti Masjid (Mosque): Moti means ‘Pearl’. The Moti Masjid (Mosque) was built by Sikandar Jehan Begum, daughter of Nawab Qudsia Begum in the year 1860.

Sadar Manzil: The Elegant Sadar Manzil served as the Hall of Public Audience for the begums of Bhopal.

Shaukat Mahal: Shukal Mahal (Palace) is a pure French Architecture standing proudly in dominating Islamic Architectures in the city area. It was build by Qudsia Begum in the year 1830.

Moti Mahal: This Two-Storied palace with a three storied gate was built in the year 1847 by Sikandar Jehan Begum. In the middle of the upper wall crown-like structures have built stretching from one end to the other. One part of the building used for residential purposes rest were used as Durbal Hall, Auditorium, Administrative Block etc.

After getting info about Royal Mughal architecture and lifestyle. Its time for some Tea and Snacks

Taj-ul-Masjid: Taj-ul-Masjid or ‘The Crown of Mosques’ is the third largest mosque of the world and the largest in Asia. Nawab Shah Jehan Begum stated edifice this mosque in 1887 and it was still under erection when she dies in 1901. After a trail off of seventy years, funds were again amassed to continue with a constructions of this magnificent building.  Other places near Taj-ul-Masjid are Kala Darwaza and Stone Beam. 

After Taj-ul-Masjid, walked towards Shahjahanabad through Three Step Lake and 3 Mohre where enjoy the beauty of Taj Mahal (Palace), Benazir Mahal, Gol Ghar and Pari Bazaar.

Taj Mahal (Palace): It’s a beautiful palace built by Shah Jehan Bgum in the year between 1871 and 1884. The entrance gate of six storeys allowed both cars and carts entrance. There is Sawan Bhadon porch, arches and decorated pillars are an amalgam of Rajput and Islamic architecture.

Gol Ghar: The Round building was constructed by Shah Jehan Begum in between years 1868 and 1901. It has 12 door. Initially this premises used as the office of the Shah Jehan Begum later it was used as aviary where various kinds of birds were kept. Later on it was used for charitable building where blinds give food and other things to poor.

Our Heritage Walk End with this Gol Ghar memory and shopping.

Tour Ends: Shahjehanabad

And After visiting all these beautiful monuments of Nawab Culture of Bhopal City, I can simply say Its BEST HERITAGE WALK

How to Reach:

Airways: Bhopal airport is well connected to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Raipur.

Railways: Bhopal have two Railway Stations i.e. Bhopal Junction and Habibganj. One can find Train connectivity to all major cities of India.

Road: Regular state run and private bus services connect Bhopal with Indore, Mandu, Ujjain, Khajuraho, Pachmarhi, Gwalior, Sanchi, Jabalpur and Shivpuri. Atal Charted Bus are running very frequently to Indore and Ujjain.

Where to Stay: In Bhopal, one can easily find all category hotels, resorts and homestays.

‘Keep Travelling Keep Exploring’