By IANS,
Bhopal : The number of tourists visiting Madhya Pradesh has doubled in the last four years, claims the state government. However, it is the domestic tourists who formed a major part of the visitors.
The total number of tourists visiting Madhya Pradesh was above two crores in 2008, which doubled to more than four crores in 2011, said a government communique here. The visitors included domestic, religious and foreign tourists.
Two favourite destinations for tourists visiting the state are Orchha, (or Urchha) meaning hidden place, in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh and the Panchmarhi hill station. During 2011, Orchha was visited by more than 29 lakh tourists, more than the total number visiting other major cities of the state. Pachmarhi stood second with more than 9 lakh tourists visiting the hill station.
Among pilgrimage centres, more than one crore tourists visited Maihar and Bhedhaghat. Maihar temple is known for goddess Sharda, an incarnation of Durga. The Bhedhaghat waterfall, situated at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Bavan, is where sage Bhrigu is believed to have spent many years in deep meditation.