Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is India's largest state. Most of the state is located on a high plateau and in summer it can be extremely hot but it also has the highest percentage of forest in India. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife including 22% of the world's tiger population.

Madhya Pradesh is known as Malwa and there are still many pre-Aryan Gond and Bhil tribal people in the state but over all Madhya Pradesh is mostly Indo- Aryan. The history of this region can be traced back to the 3rd century BC.

Dont's:
When visiting mosques or temples shorts or sleeveless tops are not to be worn. Smoking and the holding of hands, the touching of carvings or statues and the touching of someone's head is not permitted. Removal of shoes prior to entry. These apply to both men and women. In some mosques you will be required to cover your head.

Never point the soles of your feet to another person or statue.

The right hand should be used for all occassions. The left is considered dirty.

When swimming nudity is not allowed, even in remote areas. Women should wear a sarong if they are in public view.

Some animals are considered sacred, please check with local authorities.

Extreme climate, warm inland from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September. The climate is pleasant between October and March, blast-furnace hot between April and June, and dripping with humidity between July and September.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.