Snugly ensconced in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh is a cradle of several ancient civilizations. This erstwhile portion of the Mauryan Empire is now the seat of several modern commercial centres including Bhopal, Gwalior and Indore. Madhya Pradesh is also the heartland of two tourist treasures- the Kanha National Park, a sprawling natural reserve with a varied topography and thriving animal life including tigers, langurs, leopards, deer, chitals and sambhars; and the 11th century architectural masterpiece, the sculpted temples at Khajuraho. Constructed mainly with river sandstone, this archaeological site is richly carved with deeply sensuous sculptures dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Jaina. Madhya Pradesh is a must see for any travel enthusiast.