Vidisha: Explore The Birthplace Of Shitalanatha!

Vidisha is a heritage city visit you can consider planning if you would like to go for a vacation in the state of Madhya Pradesh. From the state capital of Bhopal, you may need to travel a distance of around 62.5km in order to reach the destination of city.

The river Bais flowing through the territory of the city has got a significant role in shaping the culture and lifestyle of the city of Vidisha. Bhelsa was the older name attributed to the city. Some people are also seen addressing the city as Besnagar. All these names are derived from the proximity to the river of Bais.

Bais river has got a lot of Hindu mythological connections hence believers are also seen visiting the city for spiritual purposes. Some of the important destinations you should not miss out on while visiting the city are mentioned below. 

Ath Khamba

Athkhamba is a popular landmark found in the city of Vidisha. If you are excited to explore the cultural and historical side of the city, it is better to start by visiting Ath Khamba. You need to travel to the Gyaraspur Bus Stand side in the city of Vidisha in order to reach the destination of these pillars.

This historical landmark is a structure having eight aesthetic pillars showing light upon the architectural and aesthetic elegance of the constructors. This is a picturesque location you can visit in your Vidisha vacation and don’t forget to click some pictures from the location to create memories of you getting embraced by the glorious past of the place.

According to historians, this particular structure is a remnant of a Shiva temple that was functional in the location in the past. 

Vidisha District Museum 

This is a destination you should visit while in the city of Vidisha if you would like to explore the past, understand the facts, and perceive the city with better clarity.

The city of Vidisha was intimately connected with the religions including Hinduism and Jainism.

The remnants of their worship such as sculptures and inscriptions form the major part of the collection displayed in the museum. A lot of antiquities can also be seen in the museum which will interest you if you have a taste for ancient art and trends.

Apart from the Hindu and Jain cultural remains, Buddhist spiritual remains can also be spotted in this particular museum in the city. The coins displayed would give us insights into the fiscal culture of the place during ancient times. 

Udayagiri Caves

This is a group of rock caves you can visit while traveling to the city of Vidisha. There are a total of twenty numbers in the group. These are not just caves but they do possess significant connections with the Hindu mythological side too.

Vaishnava devotees and Shiva devotees are equally seen in the surroundings of the caves to pay visits. Gupta Period inscriptions are the major feature of attraction that can be spotted inside these cave temples. These caves are protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Apart from the religion of Hinduism, these caves have also got associated with the religion of Jainism. A lot of other deities are also worshipped in the shrines of these caves. 

Khamba Baba/Heliodorus Pillar

This is quite an ancient pillar worthwhile to visit in the city of Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. This pillar is also associated with some spirituality and the pillar is said to have resemblances with the Hindu Lord Garuda.

This pillar is also tied up with a lot of Indo-Greek myths and legends which are quite interesting to explore and experience. Inscriptions that can be found in the Brahmi Script are the other element of attraction of the pillar. The structural specialties of the pillar are also interpreted in a whole lot of ways.

If you are already aware of such interpretations, myths, and legends your visit would become more interesting and exciting for sure. It is also said that the pillar has roots in the period of the 2^nd Century BCE. History and cultural enthusiasts are sure to fall in love with this visit. 

Maladevi Temple

This is a pilgrim destination for the believers of Jainism in the city of Vidisha. In order to visit the temple, you need to travel to the Gyaraspur region in the city. Adinatha is the main deity worshipped inside the shrine of the temple.

If you are visiting the temple during the Mahavir Jayanti time of the year, you would be able to experience the most of the trip. The Pratihara dynasty is the royal family behind the construction of this particular Jain temple. Kalachuris of Tripuri is also believed to have done major contributions to the same.

The inscriptions found in the temple have helped a lot of historians pursue their studies and research quite efficiently. These inscriptions are now protected and preserved inside the British Museum. 

Hindola Torana

This particular heritage location is popularly known as the ‘gateway of the lost temple’. The two carved pillars found in the location attract the attention of the tourists.

According to the studies conducted in the region, it is said that these pillars are ruins of a Hindu temple that was in the location during the 9^th century or the 10^th century.

Apart from these pillars, you can also see a couple of temple platforms and complexes in the location. The Dasavatara visualization in the ruins is quite attractive and relatable to those who have got a bare minimum knowledge of Hindu mythology.

Vaishnava devotees are largely seen in this region to pay respects and also to explore past temple traditions. The artwork that can be seen in the region has also attracted aestheticians to the site. 

Udayeshwara Temple

This is another Hindu temple destination you can visit in the territory of Vidisha. People come here to have an insight into the historical and cultural peculiarities of the temple and its location. Historians often talk about the Sanskrit inscriptions available in the temple surroundings.

These inscriptions have helped them a lot to understand the past and record the historical events that happened in the past with better clarity and accuracy. According to the studies and research conducted in the place, it was in the 11^th century AD, that the temple got constructed in the location.

You can easily get into the location of the temple since it is properly connected by roads and convenient transport facilities. 

Lohangi Pir

This is a geographically significant destination in the city of Vidisha having a lot of historical connections too. The towering rock found in the location is quite gigantic and can be seen even from a faraway location.

This location is named after a person known as Shaykh Jalal Chrishti. He was a saint and there are a lot of legends after him that are spread in the region. Lohangi Pir is the most popular name of the saint known among the locals of the place. This particular rock tower has got an elevation of around 7m from the ground level.

#Lohangi Pir is a towering rock formation covering the town of Vidisha. @MPTravelogue #India #Vidisha #India pic.twitter.com/DJ91CkLWfD

— Madhya Pradesh Tourism (@MPTourism) September 17, 2015

It has also got a diameter of around 10m. The tomb of Lohangi Pir can also be seen in the location of the tower. Locals and believers are seen doing their respects in the tomb region. Persian language inscriptions are the other attractive features of the destination. 

Bajramath Temple

This is another Jain temple you can visit while you are on a vacation in the city of Vidisha. It is located in the Gyaraspur region of the city. Tirthankara is the main deity worshipped inside the shrine of the temple.

During the eve of Mahavir Jayanti, the temple and the surroundings are seen in full color and joy. The Paramara dynasty is the one who took initiative and effort to construct such a temple in the territory of the city of Vidisha.

It is believed that the year of establishment of this particular temple happened in the 9^th century CE. Carvings are the most important things to indulge in while visiting this particular temple in the city. Moreover, the Jain sculptures are sure to impress you during your visit. 

Vijay Mandir (Bija Mandal)

This is an 11th-century Hindu temple built in the location of the city of Vidisha. This is now one of the most significant archaeological sites found in the territory of the city. Ornate statues found in the surroundings of the temple are sure to impress anyone with their top-notch aesthetic qualities.

You can visit the temple to click some of the most heritage-vibing pictures for your social media handles. This was one of the most significant pilgrim destinations in the city of Vidisha during its functional days.

The artworks and carvings of the temple are now protected and displayed for the tourists visiting the site. The Garuda statue of the temple is also a prominent element of attraction in the temple. 

Best Time to visit Vidisha

October-March

How To Reach Vidisha?

Nearest airport: Bhopal Airport

Nearest railway station: Vidisha Railway Station (BHS)

Conclusion 

The best destination to experience the heritage and the remnants of Hindu and Jain cultures.

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