Bhopal is the capital city of the largest state in India, Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal is also referred as the City of Lakes because of the two beautiful lakes that are situated in the center of the city. Apart from its natural beauty, Bhopal is also famous for its mosques. The city is divided as; Old Bhopal and New Bhopal. The new Bhopal is an antithesis of the old. One of the greenest cities of India, it has wide, clean, well-lit roads lined with fiery, statuesque Gulmohar trees.

Area: 2,772 sq km

Population: 1,836,784(approx.)(2001 census)

Places to see:

• Taj-ul-Masjid: This is the largest mosque of India. It was commenced by Shah Jahan and is never fully completed. Terracotta walls sorround two white domed minarets and three three white domes over the main building.
• Mosques and Monuments: There are a number of important mosques. The Jama Masjid and the Moti Masjid of Bhopal were built by the local Begums in the 19th century. Shaukat Mahal and Sadar Manzil, located in the chowk area, in the heart of the old walled city, are other important tourist attractions.
• Bharat Bhavan: Opened in 1982, this huge complex is a marvel of modern architecture. It is a museum of tribal and contemporary art forms and breeding ground for traditional dance, music and drama. It is one of the important centers in India for the preservation of traditional folk arts.
• The Tribal Habitat or Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya: This Museum of Man is located on Shamala hills of Bhopal, is an open-air museum depicting tribal dwellings, from all parts of India. It is an ambitious attempt to showcase the lifestyle, culture, art and religion of India’s above 450 Adivasi tribes.
• Upper Lake and Lower Lake: These tranquil lakes are important tourist spots with boating and sailing facilities. The Government Archeological Museum near the Lower Lake, the chowk at the heart of the old city, Van Vihar local safari park near the Upper Lake, and the Aquarium are other places worth visiting within the city limits. The Lakshmi Narayan Temple (or the Birla Mandir) and the adjacent local museum on the Arera hills are other sites to be visited.

• By Air: Bhopal airport is 12 km from the Old City. Indian Airlines operates daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, and Indore.
• By Rail: Bhopal is an important railway station as it is on the main Delhi-Madras route. The station is near Hamidia Road. It is well linked to Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jhansi and Ujjain by train.
• By Road: Tourist places like Sanchi (2½ hours), Indore (186 kilometers 6 hours), Ujjain (188 kilometers 5 hours), Panchmari (7 hours) and Jabalpur (308 kilometers and 12 hours), and Khajuraho are easily accessible from Bhopal.