About
Contact
Monday, February 6, 2023
Wordsmith Kaur
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • All
    • Breakfast

    Cauliflower Stalk Curry or Gobhi ke Danthal ki Sabzi

    Italian|Chinese|Mushroom Stuffed Tortilla

    The X Factor | Virgin Lychee Mojito

    The X Factor | Virgin Lychee Mojito

    Crusty Kale-Mushroom Quiche Cups

    Crusty Kale-Mushroom Quiche Cups

    Pindi Chole/ Chana/ Garbanzo Beans Recipe

    Pindi Chole/ Chana/ Garbanzo Beans Recipe

    Creamy Chicken Stroganoff

    Creamy Chicken Stroganoff

  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Portfolio
    • Hire Me
    • Accolades
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • All
    • Breakfast

    Cauliflower Stalk Curry or Gobhi ke Danthal ki Sabzi

    Italian|Chinese|Mushroom Stuffed Tortilla

    The X Factor | Virgin Lychee Mojito

    The X Factor | Virgin Lychee Mojito

    Crusty Kale-Mushroom Quiche Cups

    Crusty Kale-Mushroom Quiche Cups

    Pindi Chole/ Chana/ Garbanzo Beans Recipe

    Pindi Chole/ Chana/ Garbanzo Beans Recipe

    Creamy Chicken Stroganoff

    Creamy Chicken Stroganoff

  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Portfolio
    • Hire Me
    • Accolades
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Wordsmith Kaur
No Result
View All Result
Home Blogchatter A2Z Challenge

Offbeat Destination-Bhopal the City of Lakes

by Harjeet Kaur
April 19, 2022
in Blogchatter A2Z Challenge, Places of Interest, Travel
9 min read
0
1
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS

Offbeat Destination-Bhopal the City of Lakes

Sunset at Bhojtal Lake Bhopal

O for Offbeat Destinations for #BlogchatterA2Zchallenge. Summer and vacations are synonymous. You may think Offbeat Destination-Bhopal the City of Lakes is an unusual place to suggest for a holiday. If you are an art and culture person then, Bhopal, a city of Culture has a lot to offer.

Why do you like to travel?

I love to travel not to escape life but to make sure that life does not escape me. I think I have some gypsy blood in me and I travel for travel’s sake. The end result is to keep moving. Born and living in the same city always, travel is my getaway.  Travel makes you feel free. As if you have sprouted wings and it’s time to spread them and soar into the sky.

I was an armchair traveller; literally. Having read a lot about cultures and people, I was familiar with places generally. Geography was my favourite subject. My recent foray was to BHOPAL. I wasn’t going just to rediscover the city but was going to attend a wedding. But then I had to make the most of the opportunity and explore. I love travelling by train and was on a train after ages. Watching the changing topography and going through the dark tunnels is thrilling.

The Old Bhopal versus The New

I always wondered why Bhopal looked pathetic although it was the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Years ago, I remember watching a movie in a decrepit theatre and the roads were narrow and lakes were neglected. But this time it has been quite a while and I found that the city and its environs have been spruced up.

Cities with ancient architecture give it a certain character; with a vibrant history. Surprisingly, Bhopal was ruled by begums for the best part of the 19th and 20th centuries. They were hailed as dynamic rulers. They did not follow the purdah system and advanced the emancipation of women, promoted education and established a modern municipality in 1903. Wonder what went wrong when the men took over the reins.

The city is a blend of old and modern architecture. Known as the ‘CITY of LAKES’ it is also considered the ‘Greenest City in India’. Bhopal is said to have been founded by King Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty and the original name  Bhojpal was named after him. Another school of thought says that the name was derived from the name of King Bhupal.

Upper Lake or Lake Bhojpal

The Upper Lake or Lake Bhojtal is in existence since the 11th century. It is said to be the biggest lake in the state. The water of the lake is believed to have curative powers and helps to cure skin conditions. The man-made lake in the heart of the city has a small island in the centre. The boat club has the facility to cruise on rowing boats, paddle boats, and speed boats.  Various water sports competitions are conducted here. The sunset here is not to be missed. It is mellow and looks like a symphony of colours. You will be spellbound by the spectacular view as I did. The statue of King Bhoja is pretty impressive. But birds were perched on the royal crown of King Bhoja. 

Split by a pair of lakes, Bhopal is like two cities within a city and has two starkly contrasting cityscapes. Towards the North, you have the old city, a fascinating area of mosques, meandering alleys, chowks, milling crowds, exotic Havelis and crowded bazaars.

Offbeat Destination-Bhopal the City of Lakes

The Old & New City

The old city has a charm of its own. The Chowk is the heart of the old city with grand buildings all around. The lanes are twisting and serpentine. The Jama Masjid is striking and said to be one of the biggest in India. The red sandstone façade is really fascinating. The area is familiar as I have visited the Idgah Hills before

South of the two lakes is the modern Bhopal. With wide boulevards, upmarket shopping complexes like DB city mall, Ashima Mall, Century21 Mall, Crown Mall, The Great India Palace Mall, Aura Mall and plush hotels and restaurants nestled comfortably in the Arera and Shamla Hills, which overlook the lakes. The central part of the city is known as New Market. But frankly, I prefer the old city with its rich history and heritage.

Bhopal has a lot to offer

The Masjid, Zoo, and museum are worth a Dekho. If you have time then drive to the countryside. The lush green fields and flowing brooks are soothing after the concrete jungles. On the wayside, I saw a grotto under a tree, dedicated to a Horse. Hinduism is the only religion that has animals closely related to God. But have never seen a horse being revered before; India and its diversity.  If you are lucky you may see rural kabaddi as I did.  The simple people were cheering their teams. But, there could be high stakes involved.

Tried Something New

Being a food blogger, food is a top priority when I am travelling. India is a vast country and the food habits keep changing with the geography. It is fascinating for me to see rare and distinct foods in every city. The new Manohar Dairy is a popular diner. The menu had an unusual fusion of Schezwan noodles spring roll stuffed in a Dosa. It is a gastronomic delight; south Indian cuisine meets Chinese schezwan cuisine to become an awesome Chindian dish. Another fusion recipe, I would recommend is the unique Samosa sandwich.

Travel in the north is not complete without street food. Panipuri and chat is a permanent feature.  If you like Pan, then there are famous panwala who use some exotic betel leaves. Raju Tea Stall is legendary and always crowded. People come from far off places to just have a glass of tea. Along with the addictive chai, they have an assortment of sweets and savouries. The mawa jalebi is a signature dish not found anywhere else. The best thing about the food here is it is fresh and the cooks roll out and fry samosas and kachoris in huge cauldrons, right then and there.

Bhopal Up Close

Take time out to have a picnic at Sair Sapata, Tribal Museum or VanVihar. Make a day trip to Sanchi Stupa which is known as the centre of Buddhism in India. For history and architectural enthusiasts, it is a wonderland. Do not miss the famed, live theatre shows  

The Bhojpur Temple is acknowledged as Somnath of the East, propped on the banks of river Vetravati. Lord Shiva is the consecrated God in the temple. It has a 7.5 feet tall Shivling with a circumference of 18 feet. The entrance is imposing, with a huge arch. The pillars, dome and façade are carved with stone sculptures.

The city charms you with its lakes, nature and rich history. Visit the city if you appreciate architecture, culture and of course good food. This brings me to the end of my Bhopal diaries and onwards towards another favourite city of Nawabs-Lucknow.

List of Places To Visit

  1. Van Vihar National Park – Zoo For Animal Lovers
  2. Bhimbetka Caves – Must For History Lovers
  3. Taj-ul-Masjid –  An Impressive Place of Worship
  4. Bhojpur Temple – Stone art and More
  5. Bhojtal Lake – Sunset, Boating & Snacking
  6. Jama Masjid – Imposing and Majestic
  7. Birla Mandir – For The Pious
  8. Tribal Museum – Interesting Art
  9. DB City Mall – Rub Shoulders With The Hoi Polloi
  10. New Market – Shop Till You Drop
  11. Sair Sapata – A Family Outing
  12. Countryside—For the Nature Lovers
  13. Raju Tea Stall— For the Tea Addicts
  14. Manohar dairy—For the Gourmet Lovers

I am participating in #BlogchatterA2Z  by @ Blogchatter 2022

If you haven’t checked out my theme for A2Z 2022, then do check it out here.

My A post is  Ambrosial Pineapple Cream Pudding.  B post is Strawberry Biscuit Pudding.  C is Chana Dal or tadka Dal, D for Thandai Drink, E for How to eat a juicy Mango, F for Frittata, G for Godh Bharai, H for  Homemade Kulfi, I for Mango Icecream, J for watermelon Juice, K for Matar Kulcha, L for Lazy summer days, M for Munjalu, Palm fruit or Ice Apple, N for Natural Munjalu or Ice Apple Sherbet,

Tags: bhopalbiggest masjidboatingmanohar dairyraju tea stallsair sapataTribal museumupper lakevan vihar sanchi stupa
ShareTweetPinSendShareShareShare
Harjeet Kaur

Harjeet Kaur

My writing was limited to school essays and projects for my kids and out of the blue, my writing career began with writing articles for the magazine section of a reputed national newspaper. I rediscovered my best subject at school and began writing with gusto. I had a weekend column in the newspaper which was well appreciated. I started off writing about Interiors and Gardens and later diverse topics like Fashion, trends, food and events in the city. Juggling my time between various jobs down the years and my writing, I have written content for fliers, brochures for colleges, speeches, social media content and also website content. I love writing and I am open to writing on a plethora of topics. My blog has some interesting insights into my life and travels but now it is mainly a food blog as I am growing organic vegetables and cooking my own produce is very therapeutic. Read my blogs to know me better. I write from my heart and what I write is what I feel... I feel a feel, A funny feel A funny feel, feel I! If you feel the feel I feel You'll feel the same as I!!

Related Posts

Zesty Jaljeera Recipe
Blogchatter A2Z Challenge

Zesty Jaljeera Recipe

April 30, 2022
Papdi
Blogchatter A2Z Challenge

Dahi Papdi Chat or Yoghurt Wafer Chat

April 29, 2022
Mango Desserts
Blogchatter A2Z Challenge

11 Xtra Heavenly Mango Desserts

April 28, 2022
The Lucknow Food Walk
Blogchatter A2Z Challenge

The Lucknow Food Walk

April 27, 2022
 Velvety Mango Sago Floats
Dessert

Velvety Mango Sago Floats

June 11, 2022
Understanding Hereditary or Genetic Factors In Mental Health ng
Blogchatter A2Z Challenge

Understanding Hereditary or Genetic Factors In Mental Health

April 25, 2022

Comments 1

  1. Priyanka (aka 'Pri') says:
    10 months ago

    Bhopal has always been on my to-visit list of places, only next to Indore.
    Have heard a lot about the chaat if MP. So was reading your post all the way, anticipating some mention of chaat.
    And there it was! 😀
    I’ve heard a lot about the Kachoris in Indore and Bhopal.

    Your post will serve as a good itinerary whenever I plan a trip. 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Popular

  • Tambola Theme Games

    Tambola Theme Games

    2974 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Butterfly Theme Tambola – Butterfly Theme Tambola: A Different Way to Play Tambola 5 New Ideas

    841 shares
    Share 18 Tweet 0
  • Tambola Theme Games

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mango|Kobbari Mammidikai or Coconut Mango| #BlogchatterA2Z

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Baby Shower Or Godh Bharai Games

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Discover latest Indian Blogs

Tweets

Pinterest

Tripoto IndiBlogger - The Largest Indian Blogger Community

© 2020 Wordsmith Kaur by Harjeet Kaur.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Portfolio
    • Hire Me
    • Accolades
    • Contact

© 2020 Wordsmith Kaur by Harjeet Kaur.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Discover latest Indian Blogs