Revvlog

Geographically, you are contemplating a road trip from the national capital, Delhi, to the country’s heartland, Madhya Pradesh, a land steeped in its distinctive customs, culture, and beliefs. Topographically, Madhya Pradesh is fenced by the Satpura and Vindhya mountain ranges. The plateau prides itself in hosting some of the richest tropical forests lined by meandering rivers, colourful blooms, undulating terrains, and also some of the oldest examples of Indian art and architecture. If there is one land that balances the old with the new, it is Madhya Pradesh. What’s more? Every visitor can interpret the land and its offerings in their own way – the land has something for each person coming here. Intrigued already? 

Are you already planning to visit Madhya Pradesh this vacation? Great! Let us tell you a secret, then. The best way to explore this state thoroughly is through its well-connected roadways. You get to see every delightful part of this state that’s still so untouched and undiscovered. Especially if you are driving all the way from the capital, the road trip to Madhya Pradesh from Delhi would certainly be rewarding to your quest as a traveller.

So, what are you waiting for? Book a car rental in Delhi and set out on a road trip to explore the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

Things to keep in mind when traveling from Delhi to Madhya Pradesh

A road trip to Madhya Pradesh from Delhi can be fascinating. However, you should know the best time to visit and the correct route to take. This will help you enjoy the right weather and the various interesting locations to explore on the way.

• Best time to visit Madhya Pradesh — Being in the central part of India, this state has quite a moderate temperature all year long. But the best time to travel to Madhya Pradesh from Delhi is from October to May, when the monsoons still haven’t started, and the roads are safer.
• Distance from Delhi to Madhya Pradesh — The distance from Delhi to Madhya Pradesh by road is 821 kilometres, which takes around 14 hours of uninterrupted driving.
• Best routes to reach Madhya Pradesh from Delhi — If you are in your self-drive car rental, take either the route from Agra to Gwalior, which is a slightly rough terrain but with the least traffic, or simply opt for the Jaipur Kota highway that’s nice to drive on, but has severe traffic congestion on the way.

Things to do in Madhya Pradesh

There are many exciting things to do in Madhya Pradesh, and every traveller can experience something special to see or do during their trip:

• Explore the famous wildlife
• Visit the Royal palaces and hotels
• Indulge in a fabulous sightseeing experience
• Visit the famous temples and monuments
• Go trekking and on an adventurous spree

12 Most amazing destinations in Madhya Pradesh that are worth a visit

• Rajwada
• Patalpani Falls
• Choral Dam
• Lotus Lake
• Ralamandal
• Upper Lake
• State Tribal Museum
• Raisen Fort
• Orchha Fort
• Chhatris
• Dhuandhar Falls
• Lord Shiva Statue at Kachnar

Your short trips to Madhya Pradesh from Delhi are certainly going to be fruitful if you explore all these top attractions when you visit this magnificent State.

1. Rajwada

Flaunting a fine grandeur and architectural excellence, Rajwada is a perfect example of the great taste of the Maratha Empire. It’s a seven-storey building with a mesmerising garden and a charming royal aura that shall make your mind time-travel.

• Timings — 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Entry fees — 10 INR
• Location – Indore
• Key Highlight – Historic 18th-century palace built by the Holkars, known for Maratha-Mughal-French architecture and bustling nearby markets.

2. Patalpani Falls

Get ready to be transfixed by the incredible Patalpani waterfalls near Indore. Locals believe that this waterfall is deeper than the ground. In fact, local historians believe that the name “patal (underground) pani (water)” was coined from this belief. The picturesque view around the falls and the rich water gushing from the top is totally a sight for the sore eyes.

• Timings — 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Entry fees — Nil
• Location – Near Mhow, Indore
• Key Highlight – Scenic waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. Looks especially stunning in the monsoon.

3. Choral Dam

Just a short drive from Indore, the Choral Dam is a gorgeous location to head to for a fine weekend. You will love capturing the natural scenery of the place, and the serenity in the air is worth enjoying.

• Timings — 24 hours open
• Entry fees — Free
• Location – Mhow, Indore
• Key Highlight – Popular picnic and boating spot with serene views and peaceful surroundings.

4. Lotus Lake

Excite the photographer in you by visiting one of the most adorable locations in Madhya Pradesh, the Lotus Lake. It’s an eye-catching destination with no hustle of tourists disrupting your plans of a fine retreat in the lap of nature. You can indulge in photography and a nature walk at this place. 

• Timings – 24 hours open
• Entry fees — free
• Location – Gulawat village, near Indore
• Key Highlight – Picturesque lake filled with blooming lotuses, ideal for nature walks and photography.

5. Ralamandal

One of the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh for wildlife lovers is Ralamandal. Just bring along your camera and get ready to click realistic pictures of leopard, black buck, and other animals. You’ll also find an array of fauna in this location to treat your eyes.

• Timings — 9:00 am –6:30 pm
• Entry fees —60 INR
• Location – Indore
• Key Highlights – Oldest wildlife sanctuary in MP, home to deer, leopards, birds, and trekking trails.

6. Upper Lake

You will certainly visit Bhopal during your stay in Madhya Pradesh. So, just drive across the vibrant city and reach Upper Lake, a very famous tourist attraction of the town. You can enjoy activities like boating, parasailing, and other water sports in this lake. (Not to forget admiring the lovely view of the Lake surrounded by lush greenery.)

• Timings —sunrise to sunset
• Entry fees — Free (except for the activities)
• Location – Bhopal
• Key Highlights – Asia’s largest artificial lake, offering boating, water sports, and sunset views.

7. State Tribal Museum

Traditionally, Madhya Pradesh was inhabited by tribes like the Bhils and the Gonds. If you really want to get a glimpse of the tribal lifestyle of Madhya Pradesh, then you should definitely visit the State Tribal Museum. This has some really astonishing replicas of tribal artefacts, and their traditions have been depicted so well, making it one of the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh from Delhi.

• Timings —12:00 pm — 8:00 pm
• Entry fees — 10 INR
• Location – Bhopal
• Key Highlights – Showcases the art, culture, and traditions of the state’s diverse tribal communities with interactive exhibits.

8. Raisen Fort

Do you want to peek into the lives of people who lived around 8000 years ago? Well, you get a fabulous chance to experience a trip down the time lane when you visit the Raisen Fort near Bhopal. It is 8800 years old and one of the most glorious and uniquely built forts of the country.

• Timings —10:00 am — 5:00 pm
• Entry fees — Free
• Location – Raisen town, near Bhopal
• Key Highlights – 11th-century fort with striking architecture, temples, and panoramic views of the town.

9. Orchha Fort

How can we not speak about the very famous and majestic Orchha Fort of Madhya Pradesh? Located in Orchha, it’s the finest example of Maratha architecture influenced by Mughal patterns.  Apart from the grandness of the fort, you get to view the Rai Parveen Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Raja Mahal, and other such astounding palaces built in this fort complex. Undoubtedly, it is among the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

• Timings —9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Entry fees — 10 INR
• Location – Orchha, near Jhansi
• Key Highlights – Majestic fort complex with palaces, temples, and murals, reflecting Bundela dynasty grandeur.

10. Chhatris

Another architectural marvel of Orchha that you should definitely visit is the Chhatris or cenotaphs. It is a set of royal tombs located near the River Betwa that shows a fine glimpse of the waters. You will love the excellent workmanship of these buildings, and the beautiful scenery with the river around is surely marvellous.

• Timings — All day
• Entry fees — Free
• Location – Orchha
• Key Highlights – Beautiful riverside cenotaphs built in memory of Bundela kings, best viewed at sunset.

11. Dhuandhar Falls

One of the loveliest places to explore in Madhya Pradesh is definitely the Dhuandhar Falls. The fabulous rush of water from a height of 30 metres is already a famous spot that everyone talks about. The gushing water, making a smoky effect around here, makes it all the more refreshing and enjoyable. Well, perhaps you got it from the name itself – Dhuandhar Falls, where ‘dhuan’ means Smoke!

• Timings — 6:30 am – 8:30 pm
• Entry fees — Free
• Location – Bhedaghat, near Jabalpur
• Key Highlights – Mighty waterfall on the Narmada River, famous for its smoky mist and nearby marble rocks.

12. Lord Shiva Statue at Kachnar

Reaching the 23 metres tall statue of Lord Shiva wouldn’t be much difficult when you’re travelling in your sanitized car rental to Kachnar City. It is also one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India, which is why it holds a very prominent place in the Hindu religion. You will see a rush of both devotees and tourists flocking to this place all year round.

• Timings – All day (the special Aarti happens in the evening)
• Entry fees — Free
• Location – Jabalpur
• Key Highlights – 23 meters tall Shiva idol with replicas of 12 Jyotirlingas at its base, a prominent spiritual attraction.

To Conclude

Madan Mahal, Gwalior Fort, and Ujjain are among the other attractions to explore in Madhya Pradesh.  Madan Mahal Fort is a significant attraction in Jabalpur, while Gwalior Fort is a grand structure that the state is so proud of. Similarly, you can explore Jai Vilas Palace, which is a luxury palatial resort, and Ujjain, the ancient city of M.P., with a prehistoric aura. 

You would also love to explore: 

• Pench National Park: one of the best tiger reserves in the country
• Kanha National Park: best known for its jungle safaris
• Maheshwar: a simple but sweet town with a spiritual value.

Being a vast state, it is convenient to book a car rental in Delhi from Revv for a comfortable and worry-free Madhya Pradesh tour.