The 10th - 11th century Shiv Mandir known locally as Hazariya Mahadev Mandir located on the outskirts of the lesser - known Pali vilage is one of the most amazing Shivalayas ever built. The temple is open to the public only on three days in a year namely Shravan Somavara, Kartika Purnima and Maha Shivaratri.... Continue Reading →
Shiva Temple, Sakour Village, Hatta Tehsil, Damoh District, Madhya Pradesh
A lesser - known edifice of the late Gupta period is the 6th century Shiva Temple located in the obscure village of Sakour. Archaeological excavations conducted in this village have uncovered coins of Maharajadhiraja Shri Samudragupta, Maharajadhiraja Shri Chandragupta and Maharajadhiraja Shri Skandagupta indicating that this village must have been an important seat of learning,... Continue Reading →
Gadarmal Devi Temple, Badoh Village, Kurwai Tehsil, Vidisha District, Madhya Pradesh
Badoh and the neighbouring village of Pathari formed a part of the ancient town of Badnagar (Vatanagara), a prosperous trading hub in the days of the Gurjara - Pratiharas. As per inscriptions found, this region was dotted with temples belonging to the olden days though countless of them have either disappeared entirely or are buried... Continue Reading →
Udayeshwara Mahadeva Temple (Nilkantheswara Mahadeva Temple), Udaipur, Vidisha District, Madhya Pradesh
One of the finest examples of Bhumija style of architecture is the ancient Udayeshwara Mahadeva Temple in Udaipur. This city as per Sanskrit inscriptions was founded by the Paramara king Maharaja Udayaditya of Malwa, brother of Maharajadhiraja Bhoja who also designed a kund known as Udayasamudra. According to the many Sanskrit inscriptions found in... Continue Reading →
Shree Chaubis Khambha Mata Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
The sacred city of Ujjain known in the ancient days as Avanti (or Avantika) and Ujjayini is revered for its spiritual and religious potency. Ujjain is one of seven sacrosanct cities (Sapta Puri) mentioned in the Puranas that helps one realize his or her true purpose of existence. This holy city is located on... Continue Reading →
Gwalior Potato
It is perhaps not known to many that Bharat is the second largest producer of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in the world. The top five states with the highest area under cultivation and production are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. This rabi crop is grown extensively in the potato clusters of Indore,... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Battle of Bhopal
As the Maratha bands began to harass the Mughals with their famed guerrilla tactics pushing them towards the south where Peshwa Bajirao was waiting in Malwa, the Nizam decided to take shelter in a fortified enclosure where he could keep his men safe and wait and watch. He however, found himself coming straight towards... Continue Reading →
Anuppur Tomato
Madhya Pradesh, a pioneer in organic, zero and natural farming has in recent years developed a formidable reputation in the country as a leader in agricultural production and food processing. This state has eleven agro - climatic zones which favour the cultivation of multitude of crops, vegetables, fruits, aromatic and medicinal plants and flowers throughout... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Nizam-ul-Mulk prepares to fight Peshwa Bajirao and the Marathas
Nizam-ul-Mulk after being accorded the highest honours by the ruler at Delhi left the capital in October 1737 with a thirty thousand strong army equipped with artillery on a singular mission to chase the Marathas away from the rich provinces of Bundelkhand and Malwa. He turned south, crossed the Jamuna River near Agra and... Continue Reading →
Jabalpur Green Pea
It is perhaps not known to many that Bharat is the second largest producer of green peas in the world contributing a little more than 15 percent to the total production. The states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh have the highest area under cultivation and production in the country. ... Continue Reading →
Sehore Guava
Bharat is the world’s largest producer of guava with the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar having the highest area under cultivation and average annual production. It is estimated that guava (Psidium guajava) is the fourth most important fruit crop after mango, banana and orange. Known locally as jamaphal, the humble guava is... Continue Reading →
Bhind Bajra
Bhind district prone to drought and very less rainfall has in recent years become the hub for bajra and jowar cultivation. Small and marginal farmers who were highly dependent on rainwater for their farmlands for decades decided to shift to cultivating millets that would survive in these harsh climatic conditions and arid and semi -... Continue Reading →
Ujjain Onion
It is perhaps not known to many that Madhya Pradesh has the highest area under organic farming in the country with an extensive system that includes warehouses, cold storages, markets and micro food processing plants in place to boost the farmers' income, increase export potential and develop value - added products. Each district has its... Continue Reading →
Rajgarh Orange
Bharat is the second largest producer of orange in the world contributing a little over 13 percent to the total production. Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana are the top - ranking states with the highest area under cultivation and production in the country. In fact, Madhya Pradesh alone contributes over 32 percent... Continue Reading →
Ujjain Soybean
The sacred land of Ujjain is dotted with ancient temples and is renowned for its history, literature, art and architecture. This former capital of Avanti Kingdom is the divine land of the legendary king Maharajadhiraja Vikramaditya, Mahakavi Kalidasa and others. Besides the glorious heritage that has been mentioned in countless texts and treatises, Ujjain... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The military prowess of Pilaji Jadhav, Ranoji Scindia and Malharrao Holkar
As both Peshwa Bajirao and Chimaji Appa were busy with military operations in the Deccan, Pilaji Jadhav, Ranoji Scindia and Malharrao Holkar were despatched to Malwa towards the end of 1733. These highly competent chiefs proceeded with a large army right up to Bhadawar collecting tributes on the way and returned just before the monsoon in May... Continue Reading →
Datia Tomato
Datia, a revered land since the ancient days is one of the most important districts of Madhya Pradesh dotted with beautiful Hindu temples dating back to the Vedic Period. This district has been held in high esteem by literary giants, philosophers, saints, sages, yogis, tapasvis and poets for its spiritual and religious potency. This sacred land... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Sawai Jai Singh’s misadventure in Malwa
While the Peshwa and the Nizam met at some spot in Ausa (rumoured to be Rohe - Rameshwar), about 8 miles north of Latur on 27 December 1732, Sawai Jai Singh arrived in Ujjain to take charge of the government of Malwa. Chimaji Appa had been despatched from the Deccan to receive Sawai Jai Singh and... Continue Reading →
Dhar Custard Apple
Dhar district is one of the largest districts of Madhya Pradesh renowned for its excellent agricultural produce. Over the years, Dhar's soybean, maize, rabi onion, chilli, pomegranate, wheat, garlic, green peas, banana, cotton, tomato, ginger, pulses and custard apple in particular have been in great demand in the markets of Rajasthan, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra... Continue Reading →
Narmadapuram Guava
Often referred to as the 'poor man's apple', the humble guava (Psidium guajava) is one of the five divine fruits mentioned as Deva phala in the Hindu scriptures. This hardy fruit is available throughout the year and is hugely popular in the monsoon and winter seasons across the country. The guava fruit, seeds and... Continue Reading →
Shivpuri Tomato
It is perhaps not known to many that India is the second largest producer of tomatoes in the world with the states of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha being the top five producers in India. In fact, the state of Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under tomato cultivation and contributes... Continue Reading →
Sheopur Pomegranate
Pomegranate, a high - value fruit crop with immense economic, religious and medicinal importance is cultivated across the country with the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh producing the best fruit. Indian pomegranate is revered for its therapeutic properties and is rich in sodium, phosphorous and calcium and Vitamin C, B1,... Continue Reading →
Guna Coriander
India is the largest producer of coriander and coriander seeds in the world and exports more than 45,000 tonnes annually to Europe, UK, The Middle East, South Africa, Malaysia and others. Interestingly, the district of Guna contributes about 20 - 25 percent to the total production in India and is in great demand abroad. ... Continue Reading →
Khargone Chilli
It is perhaps not known to many that India is the largest producer of chillies in the world. Indian chillies are famous for their diversity, colour, unique taste and pungency level. The states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha are the top chilli producers in the country with a sizeable portion of... Continue Reading →