Shaukat Mahal would truly give you the glimpse of the reign of begums in Bhopal

Located in the vicinity of the ‘Gohar Mahal’ is the 180 years old architectural marvel of Bhopal, ‘Shaukat Mahal’. These two royal buildings are situated at the entrance to the Chowk area in the heart of the walled city. This place would give you the glimpse of Mughal era in bhopal.

History

Built in 19th century during the reign of Sikander Begum, daughter of Gohar Begum, the mahal is famous for its distinctive design that showcases a unique blend of Indo-Islamic and European styles of architecture. In a city that was primarily dominated by Mughal styled monuments and buildings, the ‘Shaukat Mahal’ at that time came as a fresh breeze of air, breaking the monotony of the typical architecture and design concepts.

Image result for shaukat mahal and sadar manzil address

Art and Architecture

Conceived and designed by a French architect who perfectly combined Post-Renaissance and medieval Gothic styles with an effortless ease in its construction, no wonder, the palace in those times, became a cynosure for art & architecture patrons.

Material

The aesthetical appeal of the palace, complete with heavy use of white alabaster and featuring a series of intricate triangular shaped arches on its ceiling, was further enhanced by exquisite exteriors adorned with delicate floral patterns providing it an eco-friendly appearance. Even after two centuries, the grandeur and splendour of this historical monument remains unmatched in the city.

Famous among Tourist

Tourists visiting the site are sure to be left completely awe-struck with its enchanting beauty and artistic appeal. When visiting ‘Shaukat Mahal’, do take a trip to the flamboyant red brick building ‘Sadar Manzil’ that surrounds the palace.

Sadar Manzil

The bright red of ‘Sadar Manzil’ perfectly complements the milky white construction of ‘Shaukat Mahal’ and the lush gardens here further add that touch of greenery to the postcard perfect setting of these two beautiful buildings.

Events

Many a times, special qawwali programmes are also organized in the gardens during evenings. The backdrop of beautifully lit ‘Shaukat Mahal’ provides that magical feel to the whole atmosphere. If you get a chance, do attend this musical performance and soak your souls in the Nawabi spirits of Bhopal.

Visit chhota talab of Bhopal, You will see the new version of Bhopal

The Lower Lake or Chhota Talaab is a lake in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh state of India. Along with the Upper Lake, it forms the Bhoj Wetland.The Lower Lake or Chhota Talaab is a lake in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh state of India. Along with the Upper Lake, it forms the Bhoj Wetland. Most of the crowd of Bhopal usually go at their weekend on upper lake. the reason behind not everyone aware of this second beautiful lake of Bhopal. Yeah that’s true Chhota Talaab is one of the luscious and alluring lake of Bhopal. The beauty and pleasant breeze would solace your mind and soul.

History

The lake was built by creating in 1794 to beautify the city. The construction was commissioned by Chote Khan, a minister of Nawab Hayat Muhammad Khan Bahadur. A number of earlier wells were merged in this lake.The bridge that separates the Lower Lake and the Upper Lake is called “Pul Pukhta” or Lower Lake bridge. The lower lake has also been mentioned as “Pukhta-Pul Talao” in literature.

Location

The Lower Lake is located to the east of the Upper Lake. An earthen dam separates the two lakes. The two lakes are built in a terraced manner, the lowest level of the Upper Lake is just below the highest level of the Lower Lake.

More about Chota Talab of Bhopal

The Lower Lake has an area (water spread) of 1.29 , and its catchment area is 9.6 km². The lake receives subsurface seepage from the Upper Lake. In the 1850s, the maximum and minimum depths of the lake were 11.7 m and 6.16 m respectively. As of 2011, the maximum depth was 10.7m.

Drains into the Patra rivulet

The Lower Lake does not have any fresh water source; it receives seepage water from the Upper Lake and drainage from 28 sewage-filled nallahs. It drains into the Patra rivulet, which joins Halali River, a small tributary of the Betwa River.

Park and Garden

An exotic and lush green garden would definitely fascinate you to come at this place. One can go by stairs at the top of the fort and can feel the pleasant air with the debonair sunset. I can vouch this beautiful place would dazzle you starkly.

Sports Activities

Kayaking, boating, boat racing all this activity are available here. One can see some people practicing over here. Every year people participate in many sports activities. Boating is available for public too.

View Points

Adjacent Park and Garden
Half part of the Fort
Famous Durga temple of Bhopal near the shore of the lake
View of Rani Kamlapati palace
Sunset Point
Historic Place

Rani Kamlapati Palace reflect the glorious past of Bhopal.

Rani Kamlapati Palace is the commemoration of the glorious past of Bhopal. The residence of Rani Kamlapati is a historical palace situated at the heart of the Kamla park. Queen Kamlapati was the wife of a Hindu Gond Tribe warlord – Nawal Shah. Bhopal was the territory of Gond tribes who owned the palace overlooking the Upper Lake and Lower Lake. Raja Bhoj built the palace over the massive wall of the dam separating the two lakes. Rani Kamlapati Palace is a secular architecture of the 18th century built of Lakhauri bricks, cusped arches over crumpled pillars. The merlons are shaped as water lotuses honoring the name of the Queen. According to the history of the palace, queen kamlapati committed suicide by jumping into the lake in 1723.

The viewers view

Kamalapati Palace lies on the eastern side of the ancient embankment known as Bhojpal, built by the Parmara King Bhoj (AD 1010-1055) from which the present name Bhopal is derived. The existing structure is a part of the palace which was constructed by Rani Kamlapati, the widow of Nizam Shah, General Chief of Ginnogarh in AD 1722. On the Western side of this palace are the remains of Fatehgarh Fort on the hill which was built by Sardar Dost Mohammad of Bhopal (AD 1708-1726) who laid the foundation of modern Bhopal.

Attraction

Kamlapati palace is an example of contemporary secular architecture of the early eighteenth century and the earliest extant example in the Bhopal Town. This double storied building is constructed of lakhauri bricks having a facade with cusped arches supported on the fluted pillars, merlons having the shape of lotus petals and brackets supporting the Chhajjas.This monument was declared protected by the Government of India in 1989 and since then Archaeological Survey of India remains the custodian.

More about Kamla pati mahal

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had announced installation of a statue of the Gond queen in 2016, soon after inaugurating the new cable stay bridge. But the problem was finding a likeness of her. Just like Parmar ruler Raja Bhoj, whose statue watches over Upper Lake, no sketch or image of the Gond Queen has ever been found.

Sources say an image of Rani Kamlapati has now been finalized. “A high-level government committee has finalized a statue of the Gond Queen sitting on a throne and overlooking Upper Lake,” said an official, refusing to give any more details.

Food Park Restaurant

After wandering and excursion of this beautiful and mesmerizing palace you can have scrumptious food or snacks in the food park restaurant.

View Points

Smaller lake backside of the palace
Masajid and Dargah
Galleries inside the palace
Statues and photos inside the palace
Kamla park
Food point
Backside park

Get back to the ancient time by visiting at Birla Museum Bhopal

Bhopal which is aptly referred to as the “City of Lakes”, has a lot of places to explore and to get away with the place with cherished memories. It is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal is a culturally affluent city and is growing in leaps and bounds as a chief tourist destination in Central India. The city can vouch for its unrivalled appeal and houses a lot of museums and galleries of which Birla Museum, Bhopal truly deserves a visit. It has a lot of informative and interesting artifacts belonging to the historic era of Madhya Pradesh and one will get to learn a lot from these places.

The viewers view

The rich culture and heritage and its various aspects get manifested in the Birla Museum in Bhopal which occupies a significant place among the monuments and museums in Bhopal. Stone sculptures, terracotta’s, manuscripts and paintings are displayed in this museum. There are primitive tools and implements that were used during the Paleolithic and Neolithic period which are also on display. A marvelous scale model of the Bhimbetka rock shelter with its ancient murals is surely going to astound the onlookers with its divine appeal.

Ambiance

The museum takes you an era which you would have just seen in books or have heard it. You will really enjoy the museum with a peaceful atmosphere here and getting a vast knowledge of various manuscripts and paintings. And if you are a lover of past happenings then if would really attract you and will leave you with a lot of knowledge.

Attraction

The tourists interested in archaeology can also observe the stone sculptures that date from the 7th to 13th century collected from the various archaeological sites. Coins and manuscripts and Terracotta belonging to 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD are also exhibited here in Birla Museum. The sculptures show Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti. Especially impressive are the Varaha Avatar in the Vishnu Gallery which has good works showing Lord Vishnu and his avatars, the Devi gallery with various goddesses including a superb Chamunda, finely carved voluptuous apsaras and fertility figures, and the Shiva Gallery with some beautifully carved reliefs of Uma-Maheshwar on Mount Kailash.

Street Venders

In front of the Birla temple or museum you will get street stalls. Gazillion number of streets venders are ready to solace your watering mouth by delicious dishes. Various snacks would be available there so after having a round of Birla mandir and museum you can fill your stomach by scrumptious street food.

Address and Timings

Address :Vallabh Bhavan road , Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462011, India

Timings :all days of week

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Manuabhan Tekri , the view from the top of city

Manuabhan Tekri is one of the top hillock place in Bhopal. This is one of the most fascinating tourist place in Bhopal to take a panoramic view of the city. Tekri is one of the few places in Bhopal from where you can truly see the spectacular and adventurous side of Bhopal. Manuabhan Tekri is full of adventurous as it not only made for adventurous thing but this place is famous for religious purposes too.

History

Manua Bhan Ki Tekri is also known as Mahavir Giri as this name was given by the Governor of Madhya Pradesh and a concerted road was constructed to access the hill with an ease. This hill is having an elevation of 1300 feet above mean sea level. Mantug he was a Scoffer in the court of Emperor Bhoj and his job was to entertain the King by various comedies and acts, indeed he was an artist. Once he got bored with his job and left the court. He veered himself and dedicated to religious and spiritual activities later he was known as Mantugacharya. This hillock is dedicated to him and Manua Bhan is the impaired name of Mantugacharya.

Art and Architecture

During the rule of Qudsiya Begum an excavation work was commissioned where an Idol of Lord Mahavir was discovered which was installed in a Shwetambar Jain temple in Chowk. Now this hillock is a famous tourist spot as one magnificent Jain temple is constructed in purely Rajsthani style, a garden is developed, Ropeway point, children’s play zone, Snacks and coffee shops etc. catering to the beautiful hillock.

Beautiful View Point

Tourists find a beautiful view point as eyes follows the so marvelous and panoramic views just to catch them. A very attractive point where all tourists find beautiful sights of surroundings. There are many famous restaurants like Filfora, Sharma Fast-food, Domino’s Pizza etc and Bhopal’s most beautiful hotel Noor-Us-Saba, Hotel Shagun etc for visitor’s comfort and taste for their appetite. Bhopal Ropeway is the nearest attraction and just on the way Bal Hanuman Mandir, Lord Shiva’s temple, Bijasinidevi temples attracts the visitors and devotee’s other attractions like famous Gufa Mandir, Taj-Ul-Masajid, Tomb of Sirdar Dost Mohammad Khan and Fateh Bibi etc. are the attractions which will surprise the visitors.

Ambiance

Rainy weather would attract people more towards it as one will find clouds moving beneath him in addition the lush green aura surrounded the hill would bolster you in solace your mind and heart.

Temple and Rope Way

Situated atop a hill is the beautiful Manua Bhan Ki Tekri, a famous pilgrimage spot for Jain devotees. Also known as Mahaveer Giri, it is known for its exquisite architecture and panoramic views of the city. The tekri houses the footwear of Jain saint Shri Jindutta Sureshwarji, Maharaj Shri Vijay Suriji and Acharya Manutung, along with an idol of Shri Man Bhadarji. Tickets for adult for rope way would be cost around 50 Rs. It’s all depend on your discretion weather you want to reach at the top by road or through rope way.

Food and Cafe corner

Various eateries points are present over here for tourist. Delicious snacks with mesmerizing view would be icing on the cake. Hot coffee and drizzling rain would enhance your happiness at a higher level.

Address and Timings

Address: Sun City, Lalghati, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Timing: 6.30 am to 8 pm