Things to do in Bhopal
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Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
A kind of tribal safari park, only without the tribes, the open-air, hillside complex Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is possibly your best chance to get a taste of India’s 450-plus tribes without actually visiting an Adivasi village. Authentic-looking dwellings – built and maintained by Adivasis using traditional tools and materials – dot the hillside. There’s a mythological trail and a more conventional museum on the hilltop.
reviewed
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Taj-ul-Masjid
Bhopal’s third female ruler, Shah Jahan Begum wanted to create the largest mosque in the world, so in 1877 set about building Taj-ul-Masjid. It was still incomplete at her death in 1901, after funds had been diverted to other projects, and construction did not resume until 1971. Fortress-like terracotta walls surround three gleaming white onion domes and a pair of towering pink minarets with white domes. If you can make the dawn azan (Muslim call to prayer), you won’t regret it.
reviewed
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Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Lakshmi Narayan Temple has a series of marble panels illustrating the central tenets of the Bhagavad Gita and views across the lakes to the minaret-dotted old city. An adjacent museum contains a small collection of local sculptures dating back to the 6th century. For those who don't make it to Bhimbetka, there's a reconstruction of one of the rock shelters.
reviewed
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Van Vihar National Park
The best time to visit the 445-hectare safari park is at 16:30, when animals including two white tigers, an albino sloth bear and a lion pace the edges of their cages waiting to be fed. You may want to hire a rickshaw - it's 5km from the entrance to the basic interpretation centre at the end.
reviewed
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Bharat Bhavan
This cultural centre is a serene place to take in modern Indian art, tribal carvings and paintings, a library and private contemporary art galleries. There is a cafe, and regular evening performances (7pm) of poetry, music and theatre.
reviewed
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Jama Masjid Mosque
The gold spikes crowning the squat minarets of the Jama Masjid Mosque, built in 1837 by Qudsia Begum, glint serenely above the skull caps and veils swirling through the bazaar below.
reviewed
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Bird house
Once you have the right file with the fonts loaded, open the first chapter of the book. Open Atlas and find the root destination associated with the book. For the Australia guide this will be 'Australia', for the Botswana & Namibia guide this will be 'Botswana' when working on destinations in Botswana, and 'Namibia' when working on Namibian destinations. Click on the destination name in Atlas to open the destination details page. This page includes all child places beneath this destination (on the right hand side under Children). There is a 'Create new place (as child of 'destination')' link under the 'Children' section. By clicking this link a new page will open where a …
reviewed
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New Inn
Clean and colourful split-level restaurant with a well-priced menu served by staff in waistcoats and bow ties. There are good breakfast choices, including filter coffee (Rs. 10), but it’s the delicious main courses that hit the spot. If you like a bit of spice, don’t leave this place without trying the mattar paneer (unfermented cheese and pea curry).
reviewed
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Manohar
There’s only chhole (masala chickpeas, served with puri, a flat savoury dough that puffs up when deep fried) to go with your tea or coffee in the morning, but mains – pizza, Chinese, South Indian – are served from mid-day onward. Has an impressive range of Indian confectionary at a side counter.
reviewed
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Indian Coffee House
Not as salubrious as the New Market branch, but nonetheless a top spot for a breakfast of filter coffee and scrambled eggs. The usual South Indian favourites – dosa, idli and vada (doughnut-shaped deep-fried lentil savoury) – are all here too, as are the waiters with the white fan-tailed hats.
reviewed
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Bhopal-On-Wheels
Bhopal-On-Wheels is a guided tour on a toy-train lookalike open bus, departing from Palash Residency and winding through the hills and the old city. Stops include Lakshmi Narayan Temple, MP Tourism Boat Club and Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya. Minimum five passengers.
reviewed
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Archaeological Museum
This first-class archaeological museum includes some wonderful temple sculptures as well as 87 Jain bronzes unearthed by a surprised farmer in western Madhya Pradesh. Keep an eye out for the tiny, but remarkably animated, metal carpet seller in the Royal Collections Gallery.
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Jewellery Market
The labyrinthine alleys, weaving towards the Jama Masjid, stock delicate gold and silver jewellery, fancifully woven saris, hand-embroidered appliqué skirts and jari (glittering embroidery, often including shards of mirror or glass) shoulder bags, a speciality of Bhopal.
reviewed
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Moti Masjid Mosque
The Moti Masjid Mosque near Sadar Manzil was built by Qudsia Begum's daughter, Sikander Jahan Begum, in 1860. Similar in style to the Jama Masjid in Delhi, it's a smaller marble-faced mosque with two dark red minarets and gold-spiked cupolas.
reviewed
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Bapu Ki Kutia
Papa’s Shack has been serving up delicious Indian veg dishes since the ’60s and is so popular you may have to share a table. There’s an English menu, but no English sign. Look for the picture of a beach hut and palm tree above the door.
reviewed
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MP Tourism Boat Club
The MP Tourism Boat Club offers motorboat rides (per person Rs. 40, five minutes, minimum three people), pedal boats (per boat Rs. 30, 30 minutes) and kayaking (per kayak Rs. 30, 30 minutes).
reviewed
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Wine Shop
One of a number of bottle shops on this stretch of Hamidia Rd, this one has the added attraction of beer on tap. You’ll have to drink it standing on the pavement, however, as there are no tables or chairs.
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Wind & Waves
It's the usual MP Tourism menu, but it's worth facing those 'mood lifters' and staples 'from the soup tureen' for the view across the Upper Lake. Perfect for a pre-Tribal Habitat power-up or a sunset beer.
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Chowk
Bhopal's two main shopping areas are New Market and the chowk off Hamidia Rd. While similar items can be found in both markets, prices are more reasonable in the atmospheric chowk.
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Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan
Pyjamas, head scarves and shirts made from khadi cotton, plus some quality khadi silk garments. Next-day tailoring service available.
reviewed
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Sculpture Museum
Adjacent to the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, this sculpture museum contains a small collection of local sculptures dating back to the 6th century.
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Lake Princess
Provided water levels are high enough, Lake Princess cruises Upper Lake for 45 minutes, leaving from MP Tourism Boat Club.
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Motorboat Rides
MP Tourism Boat Club offers motorboat rides and two-to-four-person pedalboats, as well as boats suitable for 10 people and upwards.
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Café Coffee Day
Quality fresh coffee and overpriced snacks come with the best view in town. Very popular with Bhopal’s young crowd.
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Mrignayani
This state-owned place offers stress-free handicraft shopping, though the fixed prices are higher than elsewhere.
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