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| BHOPAL - the city of lakes | |
Sight
Seeing |
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| Taj-ul-Masajid: - Said to be the largest
mosque in the country, the building of this towering
edifice was begun by Shah Jehan Begum (1868-1901) but was
incomplete on her death and was completed only after
1971. The great queen, Bhopal's eighth ruler, left many
monuments and to her goes the credit for postal system,
railways, and waterworks in the city. The most impressive
features of the mosque are its main hall with
inter-arched roof, broad facade, spacious courtyard, and
smooth marble flooring. A three day Ijtima congregation
held here annually draws people from all over the
country. Jama Masjid: - this was built in 1837 by Kudsia Begum and has gold spikes in the minarets of this beautiful mosque. It is believed that about a centuries earlier, a queen of the grandson of Raja Bhoja (1059-1080) founded a temple here known as Sabha Mandala. Moti Masjid: - architecturally akin to Jama Masjid in Delhi, it was built in 1860 by the daughter of Kudsia Begum (Sikandar Jehan). Shaukat Mahal & Sadar Manzil: - situated at the entrance to the Chowk area in the heart of the walled city, Shaukat Mahal is an architectural curiosity. Its mixture of styles in Occidental idioms sets it apart from the predominantly Islamic architecture of the area. It was designed by a Frenchman, said to be a descendant of an offshoot of the Bourbon kings of France. Nearby is the elegant, once-opulent Sadar Manzil, Hall of public audience of the former rulers of Bhopal. Bharat Bhawan: - one of the most unique national institutes in India, Bharat Bhawan is a centre for the performing and visual arts. Designed by the renowned architect Charles Correa, its contours merge in exquisite harmony with the landscape creating a visual impact of spacious and national elegance. The centre houses a museum of the arts, an art gallery, aworkshop for fine arts, a reportory theatre, indoor and outdoor auditoria, rehersal room, and libraries of Indian poetry, classical and folk music. Tribal Habitat: - an open-air exhibition of tribal house types located on Shamla Hills, the Tribal Habitat is a presentation of actual size dwellings typical of contemprary tribal cultures in various states of India. The exhibition highlights the architectural features and has elaborately displayed interiors. The surroundings have been reconstructed to match some of the interesting environmental features of tribal villages. The habitat is open every day except on Mondays and national holidays from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. Archaeological Museum: - a fine collection of sculptures from various parts of Madhya Pradesh are displayed here. Some of the highlights of the collection are :- paintings of various schools, copies of paintings from Bagh Caves near Mandu, and the statues of Lakshmi and Buddha. Chowk: - in the heart of old city, the chowk is lined with old mosques and havelis, reminders of bygone princely life-styles. The shops in its narrow alleyways are treasure of traditional Bhopali craft like silver jewelery, fashioned beadwork, embroideredand sequined velvet purses and cushions. |
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| Upper and Lower Lakes: - the Upper lake is divided from the Lower by an overbridge and is six sq. km. in area. Madhya Pradesh Tourism'a Yacht Club on the two lakes provide facilities for exciting trips by sail, paddle, and motor-boats. | |
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| Other Places: - Gandhi Bhawan (mahatma'
museum), Van Vihar (safari- parkon a hill adjacent to
Upper lake in natural surroundings), and Aquarium
(collection of various species of fish)> |
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