Madhya Pradesh
Carved temples in Khajuraho, palaces in Orchha and tiger reserves make Madhya Pradesh a good choice for a slower trip through central India.
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Madhya Pradesh is a large state in central India, and Khajuraho's carved temples are the main reason to visit. The Chandela dynasty built them between about 950 and 1050 CE. The group is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its carved walls show gods, dancers and scenes of everyday life. Further north, Orchha was the capital of the Bundela rulers, and its palaces, cenotaphs and chhatris stand on the bank of the Betwa River.
The state suits a slower trip built around temples, forts and wildlife. Tiger reserves such as Bandhavgarh and Kanha are here, and Sanchi's Buddhist stupa and Gwalior's hilltop fort are also in the state. Khajuraho has its own airport. October to March is the most comfortable season, while summers are very hot. Allow three to four days to see Khajuraho and Orchha without rushing.
Madhya Pradesh in five
- Get the Indian e-Visa before you flyMany foreign nationalities need an e-Visa, applied for online before departure. Check your passport's eligibility on the official portal first, since a missing visa can stop you at check-in.Visas and entry
- Get to Orchha through Jhansi junctionOrchha has no major railway station. Jhansi junction is about 15 km away, so take a taxi or auto-rickshaw from there, and ask your hotel to arrange the pickup.Orchha
- Check Khajuraho flights before you bookKhajuraho has a small airport with few routes. Check the schedule before you commit, because a cancelled flight can leave you on a long road transfer.Khajuraho
- Carry small rupee notes for auto-rickshawsAuto-rickshaws, village stalls and small shops often want cash in small notes. Keep 10, 20 and 50 rupee notes in your pocket so you can pay the exact fare.Money and costs
- Remove shoes and cover up at the templesShoes come off at temple steps, and shoulders and knees must be covered inside. If you plan to visit in shorts or sleeveless tops, pack a light scarf.
Neighborhoods
Khajuraho
- Best for: First visits, temple focus
- Price band: $$
- Western Group within a short walk
- Restaurants and shops in the village
- Eastern and Southern groups a short ride away
Skip if you want nightlife or big-city choice.
Orchha
- Best for: Heritage, slow mornings
- Price band: $$
- Ram Raja Temple and Chaturbhuj Temple nearby
- Guesthouses in old buildings
- Quiet evenings with few lights
Skip if you need a large choice of restaurants.
Things to do in Madhya Pradesh
See all attractions in Madhya Pradesh
Need to know
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR)
- Entry
- e-Visa needed by many nationalities, apply before travel Read more
- Emergency
- 112 for all emergencies; 100 police, 102 ambulance
- Tipping
- Small tips customary for guides and drivers; not expected in shops
- Time
- UTC+5:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Cool, foggyJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, foggy
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low16°Mild, dryFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, dry
- MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh34°Low21°Warm, dryMarchClear
Best
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh39°Low26°Hot, dryAprilClear
Mixed
- High
- 39°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MayClear2 rainy daysHigh40°Low29°Very hotMayClear
Poor
- High
- 40°
- Low
- 29°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh36°Low28°Monsoon startsJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon starts
- JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Monsoon, greenJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 507 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon, green
- AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°MonsoonAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 514 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Rains endingSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 275 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ending
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Mild, clearOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low17°Cool, clearNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Cool, dryDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Khajuraho, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Madhya Pradesh
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 1 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Madhya Pradesh
04:53 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°20°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed29°19°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu29°17°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri29°15°0%Friday: Clear. High 29°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat30°17°0%Saturday: Clear. High 30°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun30°17°0%Sunday: Clear. High 30°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 01:24 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Orchhaabout 30 min by car from JhansiAn old Bundela town on the Betwa, a day trip if you stay in Jhansi.Read the guide
- Jhansiabout 30 min by car from OrchhaA rail junction and a fort city, useful for arriving or leaving by train.
- Panna National Parkabout 1 hour by car from KhajurahoA tiger reserve with jeep safaris, best kept as a full day from Khajuraho.
Before you go to Madhya Pradesh
Rules for Madhya Pradesh, checked
- Check the Indian e-Visa rules on the official portal before you book, since eligibility depends on your passport.Source
- Remove shoes before entering temples, and cover shoulders and knees inside the shrine area.
- Hotels register foreign guests with their passport and visa, so keep the originals with you.
- Drones need permission in India; check the Digital Sky platform run by the DGCA before you fly one.
Plan around Madhya Pradesh
Routes, entry rules and money for an India trip
Read the guideOrchhaBundela palaces and royal cenotaphs on the Betwa River
Read the guideKhajurahoCarved temples and the Western Group, step by step
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, flights and road transfers between the towns
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs an e-Visa and how to apply for one
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in Orchha and Khajuraho compared
Read the guideMadhya Pradesh FAQ
Is Madhya Pradesh worth visiting?
Yes, if you want the carved temples of Khajuraho and the Bundela palaces of Orchha at a slower pace than the big cities. The two towns are far apart, so plan them as stops on one route.
How many days do you need in Khajuraho and Orchha?
Two nights in each town covers the temples, the Betwa River and Orchha's cenotaphs. Add a day if you want Jhansi or Panna National Park.
How do you get from Khajuraho to Orchha?
Road is the usual option. Arrange a car through your hotel or a tour operator, since the drive takes several hours.
Do you need a guide at Khajuraho?
A guide is not required. The temples are spread across the site, and a guide explains the carvings, so one is worth hiring for the Western Group.
When is the best time to visit Madhya Pradesh?
October to March, when days are mild and dry. Summer is very hot, and the monsoon from June to September slows travel between towns.
Is Orchha or Khajuraho better for a first trip?
Khajuraho suits visitors who want the temples as the main reason to go. Orchha suits those who want a quieter town with a riverside walk and palaces to explore.