Places to visit in and around Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Located in the Narmada valley at the intersection of the rivers Saraswati and Khan, Indore derives its name from the temple of Indreshwar, which was built here in the 17th century. Because of its geographical location on the southern edge of the Malwa plateau, evenings in Indore are graced by a cool breeze poetically called 'Shab-e-Malwa'. Mughals had a famous saying, 'Subah-e-Banaras, Shaam-e-Awadh, Shab-e-Malwa', which means - The mornings of Banaras, the evenings of Awadh and the nights of Malwa are the most magical. And you know what, the Mughals were indeed right!

Once the capital of Holkars, Indore is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh and one of the fastest growing economic regions in Incredible India. Today, Indore is a perfect melange of the old and new, where old heritage structures coexist with modern multi-storeyed buildings.

Places to see in Indore

Rajwada

The pride of the Holkars, the Rajwada, built-in 1749 by Malhar Rao Holkar is the most prominent tourist attraction in Indore. On the busy lanes of Khajuri Bazaar, in the heart of the old part of the city, proudly stands the spectacular Rajwada. 

The very first thing that strikes one is the fact that the Rajwada stands right on the bustling road. No matter which road one takes, the first glimpse of this Holkar palace is a sight to behold!

The seven-storeyed facade of the Rajwada is breathtaking in its grandeur. 

The architecture of the palace combines Maratha, Mughal and French styles. The facade is flanked by bastions and interspersed with balconies and windows. The imposing entrance archway leads into a vast courtyard and the arcaded Ganesh Hall that once witnessed state and religious functions. 

Sarafa Bazaar

When in Indore, one must visit the Sarafa Bazaar, located just behind the Rajwada Palace. It is famous for its silver jewellery as well as local eateries. At night, Sarafa becomes a hotspot for food lovers, offering mouth-watering snacks and savoury sweets. You can also get good bargains on Maheshwari, Chanderi and Bagh-Printed fabrics in Sarafa Bazaar.

Krishnapura Chhatris

A 20-minute drive from Rajwada are the Krishnapura chhatris. These are the cenotaphs built for the three later Holkars - Krishnabai (d.1849), Tukoji Rao II (d.1886) and Shivaji Rao (d.1906). All the chhatris have spires and enshrine life-size statues of Holkar rulers and their queens. 

Kanch Mandir

A Jain temple built by the wealthy industrialist Seth Hukumchand in the early 20th century, Kanch Mandir's walls, ceilings, floor, doors and even paintings and murals are made of glass. The murals inside the temple depict the stories from Jain scriptures as well as Mahabharata.

Bada Ganpati

West of the Kanch Mandir is located the Bada Ganpati Temple, housing one of the largest Ganesha idols in the World, measuring 8m from head to foot. It is believed that the Ganesha Idol in Bada Ganpati Temple is made of various peculiar ingredients apart from bricks and limestone; jaggery, fenugreek seed, and soil collected from seven pilgrimages (Ayodhya, Mathura, Mayapuri, Kashi, Avantika and Dwarka), powder of five gems or pancharatna (Diamond, pearl, emerald, ruby and topaz) and water of holy rivers have been used in building the sculpture. It is also said that the frames put-upon in the making are made of gold, silver, iron, and copper.

Lalbagh Palace

Set amidst a manicured garden, Lalbagh Palace is one of the grandest monuments of the Holkar dynasty. Built between 1886 and 1921, the palace is a blend of Renaissance, Palladian and Baroque elements in architecture and houses grand chandeliers, rich Persian carpets, Indian works of art, a coin collection and stuffed sporting trophies. The imposing gate of the palace is built as a replica of the main gate of Buckingham Palace; only it is twice as large. 

Khajrana

Adorned with elaborately carved and colourful entrance, Khajrana is another prominent temple in Indore dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Built by Ahilya Bai, Khajrana houses a bright orange idol of Ganesha. To its right, is a courtyard with several smaller shrines and a giant kalasha with a huge concrete coconut on it. 

Central Museum

This one-of-its-kind museum houses huge collections of Hindu and Jain sculptures, dating from the reign of the Guptas to the Parmaras. The museum also has the inscriptions Gallery, Coins Gallery and antiquities Gallery. 

Indore Zoo

Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahlaya is one of the recognized zoos under the Central Zoo Authority. Away from the hustle-bustle of the city, the green environs of the zoo are a popular retreat to enjoy a day off from busy lives. Some of the major attractions of Indore Zoo are the lion, tigers, leopard, hippopotamus and elephants. 

By virtue of its status as the capital of the Holkars, Indore has emerged as a city that has it all; scrumptious food, majestic monuments, sacred temples, bustling markets, and whatnot. Indore is a one-stop destination one must visit when planning a trip to the Heart of Incredible India. 

Places to visit near Indore

Ujjain (55 km from Indore)

Ujjain is one of the 'saptapuris' or seven holy cities of Hindu mythology. Ujjain is where Sati's elbow fell; it is where Lord Krishna received his education when he was a boy. The heart of the town is the Mahakaleshwar Temple, the only south-facing Jyotirlinga. 

Mandu (100 km from Indore)

The city of Joy, Mandu, perched along the Vindhya ranges at an altitude of 2,000 feet, has eclectic creations combining the charming assertion of the Afghan mode with the great cultural heritage of the Turkish people. When in Mandu, do explore the heritage sites like the Rani Roopmati Pavilion, Hoshang Shah's tomb and Baz Bahadur Palace.

Maheshwar (95 km from Indore)

The small town of Maheshwar, located on the northern banks of Narmada, is best known for its Maheshwari saris. However, a peek into its history reveals that there is a lot more to this town like heritage, spirituality, and the magnificent Maheshwar fort. 

Omkareshwar (80 km from Indore)

Omkareshwar is a tiny temple town sprawled along the south bank of the Narmada. It derives its name fro the sacred Hindu symbol 'Om'The Shri Omkar Mandhata Temple built in the Nagar style houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is a prominent tourist attraction. 

How to reach Indore

By Air

Indore airport is well connected with major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata. 

By Train

Indore is well linked to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jabalpur, and Jaipur via rail. 

By Road

Indore is located at the intersection of two national highways, NH-3, connecting Agra to Mumbai, and NH-59, connecting Ahmedabad to Indore. It is well connected by road to most places in Madhya Pradesh.