About Vidisha

There is no death of historical city in Madhya Pradesh. One amongst them is Vidisha which was known as Besnagar during ancient period of history. Once the prosperous capital of the Sungas, today it is one of the most visited city in Madhya Pradesh. Vidisha, a city in the State of Madhya Pradesh is located near the state capital Bhopal. The city was also called Bhilsa. Today this busy yet beautiful city is the administrative capital of Vidisha district. Located in the Malwa region, Vidisha is an important landmark in the ancient cities of India. Situated east of the Betwa River, in the fork of the Betwa and Bes rivers Vidisha got mentioned in numerous Pali scriptures. The city saw the the governorship of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka during the reign of his father Bindusara. Ashoka got married to Buddhist Empress Vidisha Devi who hailed from this region of Madhya Pradesh.

Vidisha, once the prosperous capital of the western dominions of the Sungas, showcases the considerable architectural development of the period. In the 6th and 5th centuries BC, Vidisha was an important trade centre under the Sungas ( 187 to 78 BCE ), Nagas, Satvahanas( 230 BCE to 220 CE ) and Guptas ( 320 to 550 CE ). Kalidasa's Meghdoot mentions Emperor Ashoka, the then Governor of Vidisha. His first wife, the Buddhist Empress Vidisha Devi was born and brought up in Vidisha. Vidisha or Besnagar (as called in the Pali scriptures) was abandoned in the 6th century and again came to be known as Bhelsa in the medieval period. The Sun God temple Bhillasvanin is famous in Vidisha. Read More.......

Vidisha is located at 23 53' N latitude and 77 82' E longitude. It has an average elevation of 424 metres (1391) above sea level. Vidisha is situated in eastern part of the fertile Malwa Region. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the Southern stretch of the district about 2 km South of the district head quarters.The climate is mostly dry barring during the South West. The monsoons usually begin in June through September. The nights are pleasant and after October, the day and night temperatures steadily decrease, making January the coldest month. The cold season from December to February is followed by the Hot season till mid-June. The period from mid-June to about the end of September constitute the South-West Monsoon. October and November may be termed the post monsoon or retreating monsoon. Read More.......

The calendar of the state of Madhya Pradesh is featured with innumerable fairs and festivals. These festivals showcase the vibrant nature of the state and the enthusiastic nature of its residents. The festivals not only celebrate the rich heritage and culture of the state but they also encourage the art of the tribes and take it to the modern world. Like in other parts of the country, the festivals of Holi, Id, Diwali and Navratri are celebrated with great enthusiasm in Vidisha.

Vidisha, known for its great architectural antiquity is home to some popular places. While traveling to this city you must visit famous places like Udaygiri Caves and other nearby places of interest. Some of them are as follows:-

• Udaigiri Caves
• Holiodorous Pillar
• Bijamandal or Vijayamandira Temple
• Vidisha
  
• Gyaraspur
  
• Badoh-Pathari
  
• Sironj

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As of 2011 India census, while Vidisha city had a population of 155,959, the district with population of 1,458,212 emerged as one of the leading region in terms of population growth.

Vidisha is at a distance of 54 km from Bhopal and is situated on the Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Chennai main line of the Central Railway. However, the station Sanchi which is 9 km from Vidisha is more convenient.Buses ply regularly to Gyraspur, Udaypur, Sanchi and Bhopal. Tongas and Tempos are also available for major tourist spots. Manual rickshaws can also be seen on the lanes and by lanes of Vidisha. You can also hire a taxi to reach any nearby places of interest in Vidisha. 

Most of the local population of Vidisha are engaged in farming. The Betwa River is the main source of irrigation for the production of high quality wheat, gram and soyabean. The mineral rich region of Vidisha attracts investors from far and wide. Laterite, Sandstone, Basalt are found in abundance in the famous city of Vidisha. Much of the economy is derived by extracting these minerals from the area. Being a tourist destination there is ample scope for those engaged in travel and tourism sector. Read More.......