Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - my outdoor history classroom

Madhya Pradesh, the heart of Incredible India, is embellished with culturally rich ancient heritage of India. Indian heritage has time and again proved to be a beautiful means to understand the existence of mankind and evolution of life. Travel has been an addiction for me, only because of the way it has shaped me as a person. I have a strong gratitude for travel as it helps me quench my thirst for learning the natural processes. While those countless moments with nature helped me connect with myself, my eagerness for learning different ways of life kept growing on my mind. I have been overwhelmed by what our country has to offer with its rich heritage and diversity. 

I recently embarked on a Culture and Heritage Trail in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of Incredible India with Times Passion Trails. Apart from cherishing the beautiful destinations, this handcrafted trail gave me a chance to immerse myself in the culture of Madhya Pradesh. I took a journey back in time as I lived the stories of human life from the prehistoric Stone Age to the current era of modern history.

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - my outdoor history classroom

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - Khajuraho Temples

​Bhimbetka Rocks Shelters (UNESCO World Heritage site)

I walked into the Stone Age around 100,000 years back (8000 BCE) as I entered the Bhimbetka caves which were home to prehistoric man. This was the time when human life had evolved to stand up on hindlegs and use the forelegs as hands to manipulate objects & tools. The ancestors have left behind some traces for us in the form of paintings on the rocks. These paintings depict how the humans had started observing animals, using them for his daily needs and eventually using them for fights against bigger animals. 
My thoughts: Survival and self-protection from bigger animals had become the necessity.

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - Bhimbetka Rock Shelters - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters - UNESCO World Heritage Site

​Sanchi Stupa (UNESCO World Heritage site)

I then progressed to 300 BCE, when emperor Asoka was propagating Buddhism by establishing Buddhist monuments across the country, to share the message of overcoming suffering and attaining Nirvana. The Stupa of Sanchi was built to preserve the relics of Lord Buddha which was later destroyed by the successor ruler. The Stupa was rebuilt and decorated with gateways (Toranas) with intricate carvings of buddhist moral tales from Buddha's life called Jatakas.
My thoughts: Man was influenced by power & destruction, hence needed teachings to find inner peace. 

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - Sanchi Stupa - UNESCO World Heritage Site

​Udayagiri caves

I walked into the 4th century (400 CE) astronomical centre which once existed in the caves of Udayagiri possibly due to its then location on the tropic of cancer. The sculptures and inscriptions of activities related to Hindu-calendar and sundials give insights to Hindu astronomy. The king later transformed the caves into Hindu temples to restore the concept of Hindu king as a supreme leader and devotee of Lord Vishnu. The caves are oldest surviving Hindu temples with iconography from Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Shaivism. The Varaha avatar of Vishnu rescuing goddess earth from the cosmic sea is the most iconic cave here.
My thoughts: Man had started learning the concept of leadership to protect the people of their kingdom. And, astronomy existed back then too!!!!!

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - Udayagiri Caves

​Khajuraho Temples (UNESCO World Heritage site)

I advanced to 10th century (950-1050 CE) as I explored the site of Khajuraho group of temples important to Shiva - one who destroys and recycles life, controlling the cosmic dance of time, evolution and dissolution. The temples are masterpieces of ancient Indian art, richly decorated with carved statues, depicting the goals of life as per Hinduism - dharma (duty), kama (desire), artha (purpose) and moksha (liberation). The temples remained abandoned for centuries under Islamic rule, yet remained protected from being vandalised due to its remoteness. However, the temples were secretly used by yogis on a regular basis and by Hindu pilgrims on occasion of Shivratri.
My thoughts: Selective men had started practising Yoga to advance mentally, physically and spiritually.

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - Khajuraho Temples - UNESCO World Heritage Site

​Chanderi

I stood in 11th century to get a glimpse of Chanderi, a town which tells its stories through ruined temples, underground palaces and captured forts. Chanderi was captured multiple times by different rulers as it fell on important trading route of the ancient time. 
​My thoughts: Money had made existence in man's life and he started invading other's land for greed. 

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - Chanderi - Bird's eye view

​Orchha

I moved on to 15th century to live a day in the royal kingdom of Bundelkhand. Orchha is a tiny medieval town on the banks of river Betwa, which was a princely state for the Bundela kings. Orchha was gifted to the Bundela king by a Mughal Emperor as a token of their friendship. A day of walk in the town took me to marvellous palaces, forts, temples and cenotaphs displaying Mughal influenced Rajput architecture.
My thoughts: Man had started making friends with invaders, establishing cross-communal relationship.

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - Orchha - Princely state of Bundelkhand

​Taj Ul Masajid

I headed to 18th century to find myself in Taj-Ul-Masajid which is claimed to be the crown of all mosques. The mosque was being built by the queen in the 1860s, however, due to lack of funds, it was not completed. In 1950, a religious leader took up the initiative of establishing a madrasa, an Islamic educational & religious institute and in 1971, he took up the work for completion of mosque through the funds he received as donations which stood complete in 1985, after more than a century of its initiation. The madrasa is an operational school till date and the mosque is visited by many pilgrims across the world.
My thoughts: Religion has started dividing man!

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - Taj-Ul-Masajid , Bhopal - largest mosque in India

​Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple

Forwarding to 20th century, I stand in front of an incomplete story of what could have been one of the largest Shiva temple of India which houses 27feet tall Shiva lingam. The construction of temple had started in the 11th century which seems to have stopped abruptly due to unknown reasons. The unfinished statues and carved rocks still lie around the temple in ruins. The weathered temple was taken over by ASI for restoration and was made operational in 2005. In 2020, I stand here with the renowned archeologist of India, KK Muhammed, hearing this story from the man himself who worked on the restoration of this huge temple. 
My thoughts: Scope for man to complete the incomplete stories?? 

Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple, Bhopal

​Here, I stand in the year 2020, grasping all of it and thinking about the warmth and acceptance India has shown since the historic times. The cultural diversity that still exists in Incredible India says this in multiple ways, over and over again.
Just because I never agreed to learn history from school books, I feel blessed to be given one more chance to learn it, practically, at a time when I'm ready to perceive it the most!

P.S. This trip was curated by Times Passion Trails in collaboration with Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board

Related Posts:

Sanchi Stupa

Orchha - a hidden gem

Khajuraho Temples