Central India

Region

Forested hills at the centre of the country, India's best tiger country. Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench are top national parks, Khajuraho has its carved temples, Orchha and Mandu are ruined royal cities, and Sanchi has the oldest Buddhist stupa, while Chhattisgarh has tribal villages and the Chitrakote falls. November to April suits most trips.

Central India Vindhya RangeSatpura RangeKanha Tiger ReserveManduTaj-ul-MasajidKandariya Mahadeva TempleMahakaleshwar JyotirlingaBharhutSatpura Tiger ReserveHeliodorus PillarKanger Ghati National ParkPanna National ParkIndravati National ParkMadhav National ParkLakshmana Temple, KhajurahoSanjay National ParkTeerathgarh FallsChachai FallsDhupgarhKaimur RangeBhojtalJahangir Mahal, OrchhaMaikal HillsPandav FallsVan Vihar National ParkMandla Plant Fossils National ParkPench Tiger ReserveGuru Ghasidas - Tamor Pingla Tiger ReserveRāwan MonumentBhopalKhajurahoIndoreGwaliorRaipurBhimbetka rock sheltersKhajuraho Group of MonumentsBandhavgarh National ParkJabalpurUjjainBhilaiBurhanpurRatlamVidishaSatnaOrchhaBilaspur, ChhattisgarhRewa, Madhya PradeshDurgAmbikapur, ChhattisgarhKatni

Central India essentials

Country: India
Driest months: Mar-May
Pay in: Rupee (₨)
Emergency: 101

Where to Go in Central India

City Bhopal BhopalCapital of Madhya Pradesh with historical sites City Indore IndoreCity in Madhya Pradesh, known for education City Raipur RaipurCity known for its steel industry City Gwalior GwaliorCity in Madhya Pradesh, known for its history History Khajuraho Group of Monuments Khajuraho Group of MonumentsMedieval Hindu and Jain temples famed for sculptures History Bhimbetka rock shelters Bhimbetka rock sheltersAncient rock shelters with prehistoric cave paintings History Mandu ManduFortified medieval ruined city noted for Afghan architecture History Bharhut BharhutAncient Buddhist stupa site with carved railings Nature Vindhya Range Vindhya RangeMajor central Indian hill range influencing regional climate Nature Satpura Range Satpura RangeCentral Indian hill range with dense forests Nature Kanha Tiger Reserve Kanha Tiger ReserveLarge Madhya Pradesh reserve protecting Bengal tigers Nature Bandhavgarh National Park Bandhavgarh National ParkIndian national park known for high tiger density
Regions & Cities
Bhopal Explore Bhopal Centred around the placid Upper Lake, Bhopal draws visitors to Taj-ul-Masajid, crowded bazaars and spicy street kebabs; it’s also a gateway to Bhimbetka rock shelters and Sanchi’s stupas for history-minded travelers. Khajuraho Explore Khajuraho A compact town around clustered sandstone temples, Khajuraho draws people to Kandariya Mahadeva’s carvings, the erotic sculptural panels, evening sound-and-light shows and a February classical dance festival that animates ancient mandapas. Indore Explore Indore Indore makes a case with its street food - Sarafa Night Market’s thali crawl and dawn poha stalls - and draws visitors to Rajwada palace, bustling bazaars and a surprisingly lively local café scene. Gwalior Explore Gwalior A soaring citadel dominates the skyline: Gwalior Fort, its palaces and temples draw history buffs; tourists sample kebabs and street chaat, visit Jai Vilas Palace, and time concerts honoring Tansen’s musical legacy. Raipur Explore Raipur Raipur serves as the commercial hub of Chhattisgarh: bazaars and street-food stalls, the Mahant Ghasidas Museum, nearby tribal craft markets and easy access to rural temples and waterfalls. Bhimbetka rock shelters Explore Bhimbetka rock shelters Group of prehistoric rock shelters in central India containing Paleolithic and Mesolithic cave paintings. Khajuraho Group of Monuments Explore Khajuraho Group of Monuments Khajuraho’s temples in Madhya Pradesh are sandstone monuments noted for sculpted exterior panels, including erotic and secular scenes; tourists visit for temple architecture, archaeological interpretation and regional dance festivals. Bandhavgarh National Park Explore Bandhavgarh National Park Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh National Park mixes sal forests and limestone hills; tourists join jeep safaris seeking Bengal tigers, leopards and diverse birdlife, and visit Bandhavgarh Fort.

Central India at a Glance

Local Time
5:12 AM
GMT+5:30
Population
102,033,796

Best Things to Do in Central India