A dig into Bhopal—one of the greenest cities in India, and home to Asia’s one of the largest mosques Bhopal is a rendezvous of abandoned mahals, caves, stupas, museums, art and culture. Its delish street-side khatta-mitha recipes quench the thirst of every famished wanderer who seeks out to devour Bhopal at its beautiful moments. Explore the Royal Getaway, the Benazir Palace Benazir Palace has been described by international travelogues as ‘the most picturesque place in Bhopal,’ and as part of being a heritage building has been restored to its yesteryear glory by The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB). The H-shaped structure houses enclosed terrace gardens and royal fountains reminiscent of its once royal inhabitant Shah Jahan Begum who used the palace for summer retreat. Benazir Palace had once been a generous host to many dignitaries. A palace designed to impart pleasure and recreation, its nooks and vast expanses evoke Mughal opulence. A Tryst with Sheesh Mahal of Bhopal A historical ruin, Sheesh Mahal still exhibits its solitary charm and Mughal architectural majesty that draws students, historians, researchers and sociologists from across the country. The palace is located at Moti Mahal chauraha. Besides Sheesh Mahal, Shaukat Mahal—once the residence of Nawab Jahangir Mohammed and Begum Sikandar Jahan, is also highly esteemed. Though in neglect, Bhopal’s mahals have a resplendence unique to the city’s history. The Glorious Masjids of Bhopal Bhopal is rightly known as the ‘City of Mosques’ owing to the architectural wonders that these mosques are symbolic of dotting across the city in sombre splendour. Moti Masjid, constructed by Sikander Begum in 1860, draws wide-scale cognizance from tourists because of its sparkling white façade—a characteristic that has given it the name of Pearl Mosque. Besides the serene and calming effect, the mosque is a marvel with its golden spikes and red towers forming a picturesque contrast against the tranquil white. Well connected to major intersections and easily accessible by public transport, the mosque is a revered tourist destination. A Humble Ode to History— Bhopal Museum Travelling to Bhopal Museum, located in the remote fringes of the main city, in Karnod, is time-travelling to witness a relic curated and designed by the survivors of Bhopal Gas Tragedy and activists. Among the gamut of spectacular museums the city hosts, Bhopal Museum is remarkable for its sculptural masterpieces and collection of coins, stamps, autographs, fossils, weapons, paintings, excavated artefacts and articles dating back to India’s freedom struggles. Across the 17 well-decked galleries, the collectables are arranged.
