Central India

Central India's vast forested plateaus and ancient stone temples hide some of the subcontinent's least crowded UNESCO sites and some of its best tiger-viewing.

Temples Carved in Stone

The Chandela dynasty left an extraordinary legacy in the sandstone temples of Khajuraho. Built between the 10th and 12th centuries, the monuments are famous for their exterior sculpture — intricately carved figures of deities, celestial beings, and everyday figures that cover nearly every surface. The Western Group of Temples, standing on a low sandstone ridge, is the most complete and is listed by UNESCO. Sanchi, farther south, preserves one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in India: a series of stupas, toranas (gateways), and pillars commissioned by Emperor Ashoka from the 3rd century BCE onward, set on a hill overlooking a fertile valley.

The Land Between Two Rivers

The geography of Central India is defined by the Narmada River, which cuts westward through a valley between the Vindhya ranges to the north and the Satpura ranges to the south. Along its course the river passes through the marble rocks of Bhedaghat, where the stream narrows between tall cliffs. The forested hills of the Satpuras, less visited than the Himalayan foothills, contain deep ravines, ancient caves, and a network of villages where traditional life continues largely unchanged.

Tigers and Tribal Country

Central India holds some of the most accessible and well-managed tiger habitat in the country. Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench national parks occupy former hunting grounds of regional rulers, now reforested and protected. Their sal and bamboo forests support leopards, sloth bears, dhole (wild dogs), and more than 300 species of birds. Several parks border areas inhabited by Gond and Baiga tribal communities who have lived in these forests for generations.

An Unhurried Region

Central India's major sites are spread across considerable distances, and the region rewards travellers who move slowly. The pace of a walking tour — between temple compounds, forest trails, and riverside walks — fits a landscape that has always been measured in seasons rather than hours. Most visitors arrive by train to cities such as Jhansi, Jabalpur, or Bhopal, which serve as natural bases for exploring the plateau.