Noor-us-Sabah Palace one of the best heritage hotel in Bhopal

Madhya Pradesh has some opulent palace hotels that were once lived in by royalty. However, unfortunately, they are often pricey and staying there may be out of reach of the average traveler. You don’t have to miss out on the experience altogether though. There are some affordable heritage hotels in Bhopal that have great ambiance and that is Noor-us-Sabah Palace

Noor-us-Sabah Palace

The Noor-us-Sabah Palace was built by Nawab Sir Hamidullah Khan, ruler of Bhopal from 1926 to the accession, for his elder daughter Abida Sultana. Literally the Light of Dawn Palace, Noor-us-Sabah sits in sprawling gardens high on a hill overlooking Upper Lake – views can be enjoyed from the balconies, room windows and the lawns. You may spot classic cars in the portico.

Architecture

Enter through the reception hall which has Italian marble floors, chandeliers and princely relics like a silver polished palanquin. Noor-us-Sabah Palace have immaculate lawns and gardens, has been sympathetically converted into a heritage hotel in keeping with its original European classical and British colonial architecture. You can try Bhopali food specialties in its restaurant. Staying in one of these two heritage hotels is one of the attractions of Bhopal.

Delicious Food

One can also go for a dine out with their partner or friend or can do candle dinner with his or her partner. The Dining experience is “food for the soul” and is personalized by the well traveled Chefs. The multi-cuisine have been evolved to satisfy the most demanding of palates.

Address and Email

Address: V.I.P. Road, Koh-E-Fiza, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Email: reservations@nusp.in

Know the Journey of Bhopal’s Machli Ghar

The fish shaped aquarium which was situated near Raj Bhavan and old assembly hall, facing the Lower Lake, was established on 31st May, 1977. Covering an area of one hectare, the Machhli Ghar is a double storied structure houses 66 varieties of ornamental and fresh water fishes. Later on it was shifted into a building of fisheries department at Bhadbhada, while more than a dozen fish varieties that were in heavy aquariums have been shifted to Dahod Raisen, where they have been put in cages in a fisheries pond.

Types of Fishes

There are various types of living and colorful fishes like Tiger Barb, Black Moor ,blue, Rosy Barb, Shark, paradise Golden plata, Golden Gormi, King Zebra and King Kobra. Apart from this 26 big aquariums with a collection of fishes brought from the lakes, rivers and ponds from the different parts of the state such as Sawal, Padin, Rohu, Katla, Padin, Collet, Mirgal, Sawal ,Ticto, Bam fish and Pencil-Fira.

Machli Ghar

People in Bhopal were emotionally attached to Machhli Ghar and the thought that they will no longer be able to see more than one-fifth of 66 fish varieties, makes them sad. Many of them still curious to know what happened to the fish.

Machli Ghar was demolished

For many people fish are an intrinsic part of their childhood memories. When government decided to shut the Machhli Ghar, Everyone was worried what would happen to the fish and where would they be taken. Will they get the same love and care at their new accommodation. Machhli Ghar will be demolished for the construction of the state capital’s first five-star hotel.

About the Aquarium

The state government has handed over the possession of 3.16 acre land and building of the aquarium to the tourism department. The state government has plans to construct a new aquarium in public private partnership (PPP) mode on the land of fisheries department at Bhadbhada on the outskirts of Bhopal.

Address and Timings

Address: Bordi Kalan, Bhadbhada Road Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Timings: 1.00 pm to 8 pm from 1st April to 30th Sept

12.00 pm to 7 pm from 1st October to 31st March.

Halali reservoir would bolster you in appeasing your mind

The Halali reservoir is a reservoir in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is built on the Halali River and lies 40 km away from the state capital Bhopal. The Halali River is a tributary of the Betwa River. It was formerly known as Thal River later on it was christened as halali river.

Famous fish

The major fish species found in the reservoir include catla, rohu, mrigal, wallago attu, mystus and chitala. if you are non-vegetarian then visit at this place. MP tourism resort which is situated in halali dam would give you the best low-calorie fish dish bursting with flavor.

History of Halali

In the 18th century, Dost Mohammad Khan’s forces killed a rival Rajput force near Jagdishpur (later renamed to Islamnagar) on the bank of the river. The river was renamed to “Halali river” (the river of slaughter), because it appeared red with the blood of the victims. Another name for the river is Banganga.

About the Halali Dam

M.P tourism resort is located near this pristine lake. The catchment area of this area is around 699 sq km. The colossal dam is quite popular among locals of Bhopal as an excellent spot for picnic and boat rides. Apart from this, the reservoir is home to aquatic life.

M.P tourism resort

Also known as Samrat Ashok Sagar Project, the Halali Dam reservoir was commissioned in 1973. Many people come and visit at this place from far distances. As this place allure many people. One can spend a day or night with their cronies and partner in the beautiful M.P tourism resort. Lush green garden, lake side view from the window of your room, delicious and scrumptious food would attract you more and more to come here again.

Address and Timings

Address: Halali Reservoir (Raisen district)

Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh

Timings: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Raisen fort under the hegemony of various rulers

A person who has interest in historical monuments must visit raisen fort. Raisen Fort is an assortment of the reign of Hindu, Rajput and Muslim rulers. it’s a historical mansion placed atop a hill captivating a vast water reservoir, palaces and a few temples within the fort. The 800-year-old fort has nine gateways, fortifications, domes and the remains of several buildings from the early medieval period. It’s now a dwelling to gazillion number of bats.

About the Fort

Raisen fort is also a shrine of a Muslim saint Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba. There is a say that the shrine can fulfil the desires of the pilgrims. Until the 16th century, the fort was under the hegemony of the Rajputs and other Hindu rulers. Although the nawabs of Bhopal initially captured the fort, it is presently under the custody of ASI.

Architecture of Raisen Fort

The magnificent fort stands on an outlier of a rock which has a massive stone wall pierced with nine gateways. it looks mesmerizing It drowns in a wilderness and a thick undergrowth of lush green grasses and wild long grass. Adorned with a large courtyard and a beautiful pool in the middle. This gives the additional beauty to this fort.

History of Raisen Fort

Raisen fort was under the control of Hindu rulers including Rajputs till 16th century. In 1543, the fort was captured by Sher Shah Suri and later by Nawab of Bhopal in 1760. Raisen fort was then under the control of princely state of Bhopal till Indian Independence (1947).

Origin of the Raisen Fort

The origin of the Raisen fort dates back to the 1200 AD. With four palaces (Badal Mahal, Rohini Mahal, Itradaan Mahal & Hawa Mahal) within its boundaries, the mighty fort also houses a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The doors of the temple open every year on the occasion of Shivratri. Many people gather here to take blessings of the lord shiva.

Raisen Dargah
The most visited place in Raisen is the Shrine of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba who was a well known Muslim saint.The shrine of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba, is one of the most popular shrines of the Raisen region. Many devotees come here to seek the blessings of the well known Muslim saint, Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba. There is a belief that the wishes of the devotees will be fulfilled with the blessings of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba.

Address and Timings

Address: Raisen fort near Umar masjid, Madhya pradesh

India

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm

This Mosque has been built by first female ruler of Bhopal

Bhopal is well known for its monuments, minarets, historic places, palaces and lakes. This metropolitan city has been through ample of stages i.e., ancient, medieval and modern. Most of the tourist get confuse related to Jama Masjid. Let me clear you that Taj-ul-Masjid officially known as Jama Masjid of Bhopal because it resembles as Jama Masjid of Delhi, but in reality, Jama masjid of Bhopal is located near chowk bazaar. Every monuments have its own uniqueness and quality.

About Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid of Bhopal consist one of the finest art in Bhopal which impose two minarets that can be observed from long distance also. this giant mosque has been situated in purana Bhopal and many visitors or tourist do visit at this sacred monument.

History of Jama Masjid

The mosque constructed by Qudisiya Begum in 1837 which reflects the deftness of Islamic culture in Bhopal. Mughal architecture has its own appealing. its mesmerizing and fine art allure many tourists towards it. This divine place has been visited every year by gazillion number of Muslims.

Architecture of Jama Masjid

This mosque is an outstanding example of the marvelous of Islamic architecture in India. The mosque consists three bulbous, cupolas, interior decorations which gives the best resemblance of Islamic culture in India. The gold spear crowning the crouch minarets of the Jama Masjid by Bhopal’s first female ruler, Qudisiya Begum shine peacefully at the top of the head caps which can be easily seen by bare eyes from the long distance.

Courtyard

As it indulges in the Islamic culture they always construct a wide courtyard in front of the mosque so that people could come here and can read there namaz without any disturbance. This masjid was accomplished in 24 years. This gorgeous mosque has gold spikes in the minarets.

Address and Timings

Address: Jama masjid, Subhash Chowk, Chowk Bazaar Road,

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (India)

Timings: 6.60 AM to 7.00 PM (all days open)

The giant Taj-ul-Masjid resembles the fine art of Mughals period in Bhopal

City of lakes i.e., Bhopal is often called the city of mosques due to the presence of a number of historical mosques and monuments within its turf. Jama Masjid of Bhopal is officially known as Taj-ul-Masjid. One such mosque, located in the realm of Bhopal not less important is the Taj-ul-Masjid. The beautiful Taj-ul-Masjid is an important historical landmark of the Muslims in Bhopal. The architectural design of the Taj-ul-Masjid gives us the glimpse of the Muslim reign in Bhopal.

History of Taj-Ul- Masjid

The construction of the Mosque was initiated during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar by Nawab Shah Jahan Begum (1844–1860 and 1868–1901) of Bhopal (Wife of Baqi Mohammad Khan) and continued to be built by her daughter Sultan Jahan Begum, till her lifetime. The mosque was not completed due to lack of funds, and after a long lay-off after the War of 1857, construction was restart in 1971 by great efforts of Allama Mohammad Imran Khan Nadwi Azhari and Maulana Sayed Hashmat Ali Sahab of Bhopal.

This year construction has been completed

The construction was completed by 1985 and the entrance (eastern) gate was renovated grandly using ancient motifs from circa 1250 Syrian mosques by the contribution of the Emir of Kuwait to commemorate the memory of his departed wife.

Art and Architecture of Taj-ul-Masjid

The Mosque has a pink facade topped by two 18-storey high octagonal minarets with marble domes. The Mosque also has three huge bulbous domes, an impressive main hallway with attractive pillars and marble flooring resembling Mughal architecture the likes of Jama Masjid in Delhi and the huge Badshahi Mosque of Lahore.

Courtyard of Taj-ul-Masjid

It has a courtyard with a large tank in the center. It has a double-storied gateway with four recessed archways and nine cusped multifold openings in the main prayer hall. The Quibla wall in the prayer hall is carved with eleven recessed arches and has fine screens of trellis work. The massive pillars in the hall hold 27 ceilings through squinted arches of which 16 ceilings are decorated with ornate petaled designs.

Madarsa inside Taj-ul-Masjid

Inside the mosque Madarsa conduct to teach children. Gazillion number of students come to take the blessings of the Allah and to gain knowledge about the world. It creates very positive aura and solace the mind and soul of the students.

Address and Timings

Address: NH 12, Kohefiza, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Timings: 6 am to 7pm

Perfect artistic work of women prisoners can be seen in the Doll Museum of Bhopal

Usually whenever we heard name related to doll either we think about children play toy or we relate it with a horror story. Well in the case of this its starkly different. Yes, this doll is actually made by jail inmates and then transferred to this museum.

About the Doll Museum
Rechristened recently as Kanha emporium, this museum at former jail houses dolls and other handmade items from different jail inmates across the state. Popularly known as the “Guria ghar” (the doll house). This is one of the famous tourist attraction in Bhopal.

Women prisoners and Doll Museum
Doll House is also known as Doll Museum. It’s a result of innovative and ingenious vision and effort to channelize the energy and artistic qualities of women prisoners. It is situated in the premises of the old jail. It is the result of encouraging the constructive artistic aptitude of all those imprisoned women who are spending their lives in total isolation, far away from the society and culture, surrounded by the walls of the jails.

Address and Timings
Address: Jail Road, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Timings: 10:30am to 4:30 pm
Monday closed

One can sense what happened at 2 December 1984 by visiting at Bhopal Museum

It’s very difficult to forget that horrific night when Bhopal gas tragedy occurred. According to the public of Bhopal still one can sense the presence of the poisonous gas in the aura of that area. The memories of December 2, 1984 have not been vanished from the mind of people in addition Madhya Pradesh government built the Bhopal museum to aware people about that night and to pay homage to the victims of that tragedy.

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About the Bhopal Museum

The memories of December 2, 1984 have been collected under one roof, just a few km from the Union Carbide factory. Split into five sections – Trauma Room, Health Room, Anderson Wall, Toxic Water Wall, Compensation Room and the Movement Room. It has at least 50 original audio recordings of gas survivors, doctors on duty on the fateful night, the forensic expert who conducted mass autopsies and those who survived in the tragedy.

Designed and Conceptualized

Designed and conceptualized of Bhopal museum designed by museologist Vivek Seth, it is the brainchild of a curator and Washington Post journalist, Rama Lakshmi.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

The Bhopal disaster christened as Bhopal gas tragedy, was a gas leak incident on the night of 2–3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. It was considered as of 2010 to be the world’s worst industrial disaster ever. Over 500,000 people were exposed to methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas. The highly toxic substance made its way into and around the shanty towns located near the plant. The poisonous gas sprawled all around the area.

Address and Timings of Bhopal Museum

Address: Sr HIG 22, Housing Board Colony, Berasia Road,

Karond, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462001

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM

Take a gleam of telecom exhibits by visiting at this Museum.

Bhopal is widely known as the City of Lakes. But with its string of museums, it can be described as City of Museums too. Encapsulating the history of human civilisation to tribals to flora and fauna to newspapers to telephony and to even dolls. Needless to say, most of the objects displayed in these institutions are enormous and gives us the opportunity to take a glance of our culture and history.

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About the Museum

National Telecom Museum, only one of its kinds in Asia, was inaugurated on 18 August, 1995, by Sh. P. S. Saran, Member(Services), Telecom Commission, New Delhi. It is located at Arera Telephone Exchange Bhopal.

Unique exhibits of the Museum

The National Telecom Museum is full of unique exhibits, some of which are Red sandstone pillers used to erect India’s first long distance telegraph line between Calcutta and Agra in 1851 over a distace of about 1000 miles, Heiten Galvanometer used for Morse Telegraph link between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour, 900 kg bronze gong of the clock tower of Simla Telegraph Office, a 1880 vintage, Office table of Sir C. V. Raman, 1930 Physics Nobel Laurate along with his office ceiling fan.

Address

Address: Office of Divisional Engineer (Internal),

Arera Telephone Exchange, Bhopal

Peer gate road of Bhopal would show you the mystic powers of Sant Kamali

Bhopal city is the amalgam of scenic beauty and old historic places. It is situated on the site of an 11th century city Bhojpal which is founded by Raja Bhoj. The present city was planned and established by an Afghan soldier, Dost Mohammed (1707 -1740). His descendants build Bhopal into a mesmerizing place.

Rulers of the place

The city of Bhopal has witnessed many changes since it was found by the Afghan soldier Dost Mohammed in the year 1708 for the Gond queen, Kamlapati. Kamlapati palace is also one of the famous palace in Bhopal. The power then went transferred to the Afghans and their descendants. The old city still gives you the glimpse of past glory of the rulers, among them succession of powerful Begums who ruled Bhopal from 1819 to 1926. The city has been through many phases, turbulent as well as disastrous.

Sant Kamali Maharaj at Hanuman Mandir

There was a Sant by name Kamali also christened as Kamaldas during the reign of Begum Shahjahan. The Sant was an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman. He was living under a peepal tree in the then garden maintained by Begum Shahjahan.

Jagratha

Many people use to visit him to have dharshan of the Sant and take his blessings. Every day there use to be a bhajan in the praise of Lord Ram and Hanuman and on finishing of the bhajan the Sant use to blow the conch for long. For many days jagrathra use to performed ie, bhajan throughout the night and will come to an end only in the dawn.

Encounter of Sant Kamali

Begum Shahjahan took objection to the blowing of the couch especially during the wee hours. She ordered his soldiers to find out as to who is responsible for this. The soldiers reported back stating that Sant Kamali is performing bhajan and he is blowing the couch. The Begum ordered that the playing of conch will be treated as offence. When the message was carried by the soldiers to the Sant, in reply Sant told them that he would neither stop the bhajan or playing of conch till his death. Begum ordered killing of the Sant to the soldiers for his disobedience of the royal order.

Orphic powers of the Sant Kamali

The soldiers when went to execute the Sant, they got astonished as found the Sant was lying dead under the peepal tree. The matter was reported to the Begum Shahjahan. But the next day early morning again the couch was played. Begum was annoyed and asked the soldiers to find out whether the Sant is really dead. She asked the commandant to behead the Sant and take apart the hands and legs. When went to the peepal tree to execute the royal orders, the commandant found that the Sant Maharaj cut into peaces and laying there. The commandant went back to the Begum and reported the matter.

Begum visited the place

Again next day Begum heard the sound of the couch. Stunned Begum went personally to see as to what is happening in her garden. She could hear the couch blowing but could see the couch but not the Sant Kamali. She realised that the Sant is genuine and apologised for her act. Sant Kamali Maharaj appeared from nowhere and told her that he will be performing his duty till the Lord calls him.

Begum Khurishia

During the reign of Begum Khurishia Sant Kamali was donated eight acares of land for construction of the temple. It all begun when the Begum lost her loved necklace, even after long search in the Mahal there was no trace of it anywhere. On a quick thought she approached Sant Kamali Maharaj to help her trace her necklace. When she went to him for the same, even without uttering of a word by her Sant told her as to why she came upto this place when she should have recovered the necklace wrapped in a red cloth in her under bed. She ordered her trusted commandant to recheck and verify the bedroom. The commandant came back with the necklace wrapped in the red cloth and told Begum the he found it under the bed tucked between layers.

Temple built by Begum Khurishia

Impressed, Begum Khurishia donated eight acres of land and asked her force to help construction of the temple as desired by the Sant Kamali Maharaj. Because of the Sant Kamali and the temple built by him for Lord Hanuman this entire area had come known as Hanumanganj. This kshethra is so sacred one fells blessed to have visited the site where Sant had performed pooja and nama sangeerthan to the Lord Hanuman.

About the temple

The temple had been built where Sant Kamali Maharaj had worshiped Lord Hanuman. The temple is south facing and all the murthis are facing south. The temple is a scenic beauty, housing three ardh shila and one is around nine feet height, the other is around three feet height, and third is around two feet height.

Statue of Sant Kamali

Even today you can see the Lord Hanuman worshiped by the Sant Kamali which is about two feet height under the peepal tree. There is a large statue installed for the Sant Kamali near by. You can see the conch blown by the Sant Kamil there.

Address and Timings

Address: Kamali Mandir Rd, Ghora Nakkas, Peer Gate Area,

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462001

Timings: 6.00 am to 8.00 pm