SETHANI GHAT AT HOSHANGABAD NEAR BHOPAL


Sethani Ghat- Tiled with stones is a 19th century construction along the banks of the river Narmada at Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh in India. It is one of the largest ghats in India. During Narmada Jayanti celebrations the ghat comes alive when thousands of people converge on the ghats and diyas are floated in the river. One of the most beautiful ghats you will find in central india.Probably the biggest ghat on river Narmada, and yes most happening place in the town.Narmada Jayanti celebration in the month of feb is one the major event and big center of attraction.


The ghat was built after generous contributions by Jankibai Sethani from the Sharma family in Hoshangabad after devotees complained to her about the difficulty in getting to the river, Hence the ghat is named after her. It is one of the few examples of public infrastructure built through private funding in India. A photo of Narmada from Sethani ghat can be seen in the book Jungle Rahe Taki Narmada Bahe!, by Pankaj Srivastava.


BANDHRABHAN AT HOSHANGABAD NEAR BHOPAL


Bandhrabhan is a place where two main rivers Narmada and Tawa meet. A holy fair takes place every year at Bandhrabhan. Locals as well as people from other places come here to participate in the fair and enjoy.



MINTO HALL, BHOPAL


Nawab Sultanjahan Begum constructed the Minto Hall of Bhopal in the year 1909, keeping in mind the requirement of a guesthouse near the Raj Bhawan (then called the Lal kothi). The main architect was A. C. Rovan, the main contractors were Armstrong, R. A. Dhondi and Sayyed Ali. A fund of rupees three lakhs was spent over a period of 24 years on this construction. However soon the Minto hall was converted to an army cantonment, which was followed by a period of the hall being used as a convention center. Later a Hotel Lake View was established in the vicinity of Minto Hall during the era of Nawab Hamidullah Khan. For some time offices of the Inspector General of Police, Defense services and Civil services were also established in Minto Hall. 


Abida Sultan, the heir apparent, discovered and refined the new game of roller skates hockey on the floors of Minto hall. In the year 1946 Minto Hall was converted to a college called the Hamidia College, which later moved to its own building. After independence of India the Vidhan Sabha of Madhya Pradesh was established at Minto Hall. The Vidhan Sabha has been since moved to a new building in the year 1996. Since then Minto hall has been lying mainly unused, occasionally being the venue of some exhibition. 


During the year 2005, the central government decided to establish a International Convention Centre hub in view of attracting investment to Bhopal. Bhopal has many plus points which we must leverage -natural beauty, nearness to a major historical site like Sanchi and a hill-station like Pachmarhi. If 'heritage value' can be combined with a 'scenic location', a Convention Centre becomes unbeatable. Minto Hall, the old Vidhan Sabha building on the lakeshore, was chosen for the purpose. The Indian trade promotion organization (ITPO) visited Bhopal for an on-the-spot assessment of Minto Hall for this Convention Centre. Linked with this Convention Centre, we also propose to develop exhibition pavilions, so that major Trade Fairs can take place in Bhopal. A competition was organized for the architecture by EPCO for Government of Madhya Pradesh. The Small Scale Industry of Madhya Pradesh has been appointed the nodal agency for the construction of this convention center. A Five star hotel is also to be constructed, for which two sites has been proposed to Indian trade promotion organization (ITPO) - one in the vicinity of the Minto Hall and another at the Hotel Ashoka Lake View. The ITPO will visit both the locations soon and a venue would be decided upon. A fund of one crore and thirty-four lakhs has been released by the central government for this project as the first installment of the project.

RAISEN FORT ( रायसेन किला )


Raisen is 23 kms from Bhopal, and is known for the Raisen fort and the Durgah of Raisen. Raisen fort is situated on the top of a hill with a few temples, palaces, a large water reservoir and numerous wells inside Raisen fort. The fort is about 800 years old. It is built on a hill and occupies the entire hilltop.There is a temple and mosque in the same complex of Raisen fort. Raisen fort had many domes inside, however, only two of them are left which are now abode of Bats.

Raisen is also known for the shrine of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba who was a well known Muslim Saint. The people in and around Raisen have great faith in the shrine and it is believed that the shrine can fulfill the desires of pilgrims. The origin of Raisen fort can be dated back to 1200 A.D. Raisen fort has been under the rules of various rulers.


History of Raisen Fort:
 
Raisen fort was under the control of Hindu rulers including Rajputs till 16th century. In 1543, the fort was captured by Sher Shah Suri and later by Nawab of Bhopal in 1760. Raisen fort was then under the control of princely state of Bhopal till Indian Independence (1747).


Way To Raisen Fort:

Raisen is well connected by roads to Bhopal, Vidisha, and Itarsi. Tourists can use Cab, Auto or Bus to travel to Raisen from Bhopal. Bhopal is connected with Sanchi through two routes, where one of the route passes through Raisen.