Bhopal - The place that excels Priority with Unity

The capital of Madhya Pradesh (an Indian State) is an administrative headquarter of Bhopal district and Bhopal division, a verdant set up popular for its traditional silver jewelry, sophistically designed beadwork, chromatic and sequined velvet purses, and beautifully embroidered cushions and wall hangings. Bhopal culture is such that both Hindus and Muslims visit each other on their respective festivals to greet and exchange sweets. Sanchi Stupa, Bhopal (UNESCO world heritage) at about 50 kilometers from the city center, displays its history from the times of Emperor Ashoka edifies Buddhism in India over 2000 years.

Bhopal, which occupies 40% of the Muslim population and is believed to have been built by female Islamic rulers in the 19th century, is spread over an area of 697.2 sq km. It is the 14th largest city in India and the 131st largest in the world. Bharat Bhavan, an open-air amphitheater facing the Upper Lake, is an art gallery and the main cultural center of the city. Rabari house is one of the cultural displays at IGRMS under the Indian government's Ministry of Culture.

The city attracted international attention in December 1984, when a Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide manufacturing plant, now owned by Dow Chemical Company. It leaked a mixture of deadly gases composed mainly of methyl isocyanate and leads to one of the worst industrial disasters in the world's history.

The Bhopal gas disaster continues to be a logistical challenge for the people of Bhopal and a part of the socio-political debate.

Diwali and Eid are major festivals in Bhopal. Bhopali cuisines are comparatively mild, less spicy, and unique in taste featuring a large variety of non-vegetarian dishes, including Bhopali Murgh Rezala, Paneer Rezala, Bhopali Gosht Korma, Murgh Hara Masala Rice and Murgh Nizami.

Attractions

1. Business and Education

Bhopal, a Y-class city, houses various institutions and installations of national importance, making it one of the greatest education hubs in the country.

SPA
MANIT
National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR)
ISRO's Master Control Facility
BHEL
IISER
NLIU
AIIMS

Also Read - Most famous handicrafts of Madhya Pradesh

2. Nature and Heritage

Bhopal is known for various natural as well as artificial lakes and thus called the City of Lakes, which also make it one of the greenest cities in India.

Hathaikheda, a place for water and fishing sports
Bhojtal, a large lake that lies on the western side of the city with a small island called Shah Ali Shah Island.
Bhimbetka Caves is UNESCO's World Heritage Site

3. Science and Art

Rabari House, at IGRMS under Indian government's Ministry of Culture
Regional Science Centre, is a science museum located on the picturesque Shamla Hills houses about 300 science exhibits in 'Invention' and 'Fun Science' galleries with the 'Taramandal' and Planetarium at the center helping the students to study the astral and mysterious world of stars, galaxies, and the universe.
Bharat Bhavan, an art gallery, and a cultural center
State Museum

4. Religious Sites

Bhopal Ijtema is an annual Muslim world preacher's congregation held at Ghasipura 11 km from the city. Bhopal Ijtema is said to be one of the largest Islamic gathering other than Hajj at Mecca in Saudi Arabia and "Bishwa Ijtima" at Tongi in Bangladesh.

Lakshmi Narayana Mandir
The Moti Masjid or the Mosque of Pearls
The Jama Masjid of Bhopal
Taj-ul-Masjid
Birla Temple at Arera Hills

Rolling the Dice

Sightseeing
Fishing
Shopping
Water Sports
Eating and Drinking
Taking Boat Rides

Transportation

1. Roadways:

The National Highway 86 connects Bhopal to Sagar in the East to Dewas in the West, whereas National Highway No.12 passes through Bhopal, which connects it to Jabalpur in the East and Jaipur in the West. State Highway 17 connects the city with Indore.

Bhopal is a railroad and highway transportation hub for a long time, also owns its city bus service operated by Bhopal City Link Limited. Apart from the long-distance services, there are many services to nearby places within or out of the state with a number of daily buses to Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Sanchi, Pachmarhi, Vidisha, Berasia in Madhya Pradesh and Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Kota, Nagpur, Jaipur, Shirdi, Pune, Akola, Amravati, Jalgaon, Vadodara, Surat and Nashik of the other states.

2. Railways:

Bhopal lies in the West Central Railway Zone and thus considering both North-South and East-West train routes. It is one of the most rail connected cities in India housing the Divisional Railway Managers (DRM) head office under Central railways. A metro rail project is under implementation with the expected date of commencement in 2020.

Airways: The Raja Bhoj International Airport, Madhya Pradesh, lies 15 km to the north of the city near the satellite suburb Bairagarh, although no schedule services currently run internationally.

Local Transport: