Maharajas' Express Asia's Most Expensive Luxury Train History TV18

Sanchi stupa

The Buddhist vihara at Sanchi, famous for its Great Stupa, is located at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is 46 km north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh.

The Great Stupa at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. The construction work of this stupa was overseen by Ashoka's wife, Devi herself, who was the daughter of a merchant of Vidisha. Sanchi was also her birthplace as well as the venue of her and Ashoka's wedding. In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved toranas (ornamental gateways) and a balustrade encircling the entire structure were added. The sanchi stupa built during Mauryan period was made of bricks

Panchmarhi

If you will climb down the Himalayan hills and pay some heed to those of the Satpura (Central India), then also you are on the bright side. Here we are talking about the only hill station of Madhya Pradesh; Pachmarhi.

Situated at a decent height of 1100 meter in the Satpura range of hills, Pachmarhi has its surroundings in the green and clean, despite having a large military presence in the vicinity. Tourism here mainly talks about rock paintings, pre-historic caves, lofty peaks, forest gorges and stunning waterfalls. Satpura Tiger Reserve, Handi Khoh, Dhoopgarh, Bison Lodge, Reech Garh, Irene Pool, Rajendra Giri to name a few. All these natural attractions require getting into the adventure gear and hike through the lushes of the region.

In the pre independence times, the hill station got flocked or one can say "introduced" to the western world by one fine fellow of the British army. Owing to this, the human settlements here sport a colonial ambience.

Pachmarhi, having located in the central latitude of the country, is prone to warm weather conditions. Thus, if this hill station amazed you for the coming summers, make sure you schedule the trip in the early months of the season.