Raisen District is situated in the central part of
Madhya Pradesh covering an area of 8,466 sq km. It is bounded in the west by
Sehore District, in the north by
Vidisha District, in the east and south-east by
Sagar District, in the south-east by
Narsimhapur District, and in the south by
Hoshangabad District. The name 'Raisen' is probably a corruption of Rajavasini or Rajasayan, the royal residence.
The most important place of tourist interest is Bhimbetka, a group of caves having world's oldest known prehistoric paintings that are now one of the World Heritage Sites, recognized by UNESCO.
Raisen was an important center of administration from very early times. Sanchi, a religious center, has historical and archeological significance. It is a site for the numerous stupas built on a hilltop. Founded by the legendary Parmar king of Dhar, Raja Bhoj and named after him,
Bhojpur, 28 km from Bhopal, is renowned for the remains of its magnificent Shiva Temple and Cyclopean dam.
