Split by a pair of lakes, Bhopal is two cities within a city. Two starkly contrasting cityscapes.
Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a good mix of the old and the new with a lot of old portions of Bhopal reminiscent of the Mughal influence and the new showcasing the planned development of a modern Indian city.
History and Culture
Known as Bhojpal in the 11th century, the present-day Bhopal was built by on this land by Parmara King Bhojpal. He was said to have built many lakes that surround the city today. This city was improved upon by Dost Mohammed Khan, who established rule upon this city after the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707. Bhopal is known for its culture, arts and architecture which was polished upon during the reign of the Begums.
Towards the North you have the old city, a fascinating area of mosques, serpentine alleys, chowks, milling crowds, exotic havelis and crowded bazaars.
South of the two lakes is the new Bhopal. Modern, with wide roads, upmarket shopping complexes, and plush hotels and restaurants nestled comfortably in the Arera and Shamla Hills, which overlook the lakes and the old city beyond. The central district is known as New Market.
Both Bhopals enamor you in their own way and vie to bring out the child within you.
Climate
The best time to visit Bhopal is during the winter months of October to March. The weather is an ideal one for exploring the experiencing the rich flavours of the grand city. July-September is the second best time to visit the city.
- July - March
