INTRODUCTION

Hindola Mahal in Mandu is a popular historical monuments and tourist attractions during Mandu sightseeing. Its english translation is "Swinging Palace". It is a "T" shaped building use as open air theater or audience hall. It derives its name from its sloping, buttressed walls. This sloping wall is in 77°angle which gives an impression as if building is swinging. It is believed to be constructed during rule of Hoshang Shah in year 1425 as Durbar Hall but later modified and added to its current look by Ghiyasuddin Khilji reign in last of 15th century. It is one of the first set of monuments that appears while entering into Mandu, coming from Indore through Delhi Darwaza. Hindola Mahal is a "T" shaped building where its head is north direction facing. Is is part of royal palace complex which includes other popular buildings like Jahaz Mahal, Tawili Mahal, Munj Talao, Nahar Jharokha etc. In terms of architecture, it is marked different from other Mandu monuments due to its extreme simplicity in style of construction but well-proportioned. It has bordering Munj Talao to the north which is a cluster of ruined monuments. Their is also a Taveli haveli inside enclosure which might be used as horse stable in ground floor and accommodation for guards in first floor. Now a days, it is converted into ASI guest house. We can find same kind of architecture in historical buildings in other parts of India like in Fort of Warangal which is located in Andhra Pradesh state in South India and seems to have been designed by same artist.

ARCHITECTURE

Hindola Mahal in Mandu represents the characteristic elements of the architectural style that was prevailing in Mandu region during the second-half of 15th century (1400-1550). It involves simplicity, boldness, and having a definite aesthetic appeal. The Hindola Mahal given an impression of architectural simplicity with minimal ornamentation and stands out boldly through massive inclined buttresses. These elements make the Hindola Mahal a unique exaggerated example of the Malwa style. In addition, the pointed arches on the building’s interior shows that Malwa architecture was influenced by the Delhi styles. The main hall is 27 meter long, 8 meter wide and 11 meter high. It is having 6 deep arches on either of the long sides with doorways below and trace-worked windows above which allows proper ventilation. Hall gets its due light & air through these windows. The massive vaulted roof of the hall has not prominently visible though the row of lofty arches which once supported the huge ceiling above. The east and west lateral walls of the hall are 2.7 meter thick excluding the width of sloping buttresses.

The transverse projection of Hindola Mahal is a double storey building in the same dimension as the main hall. It is in less formal style with some oriel windows of artistic design. In this two storey building, the upper storey was reserved for the use of royal ladies. It has the access through sloping stages from north. From outside it seems to be a simple structure but on careful examination, we will realize its neatly chiseled masonry with fine joints with set of carved mouldings which enhances the beauty. It ground floor consists of cruciform (cross shaped) gallery whose one short entrance to main hall. Their are also some subsidiary passages.

HOW TO REACH

By Air: Nearest airport for reaching Hindola Mahal is in Indore about 100 kms away. It is a well connected airport. After reaching Indore Airport, one can do further journey by road using bus service or taxi service. We offer Indore airport taxi service in which we offer car hire service from Indore airport to Mandu or vice-versa.

DISTANCE CHART		LOCATION MAP
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Indore	95
Bagh Caves	50
Maheshwar	65
Omkareshwar	160
Ajanta Caves	360
Vadodara	320

By Train/ Railways :
Nearest railway station for reaching Hindola Mahal is in Indore city and known as Indore Junction. It is well connected with important tourist destinations and cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Varanasi etc. Further journey from Indore railway station to Mandu can be done by bus service or through taxi service. We offer taxi service from Indore railway station to Mandu.

By Roadways :
Hindola mahal in Mandu is easily accessible by road from rest of the India. Its nearby cities are Indore and Dhar. It is easily accessible by single drive from Vadodara, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Jalgaon etc. We offer car rental service in this region for visiting Mandu monuments with other tourist attractions in this region.
 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Hindola Mahal is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset. It is easily accessible in all seasons so one can visit it any of the day in a year. Still from October to April is the best time to visit. In this period, climatic conditions remains good and it receives majority of tourists arrival. In this period, most of the festivals falls and seasonal tourist destinations like national parks, tiger reserves are also open for visitors so offers chance to visit many other destinations also. It is the best time to visit Hindola mahal in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh.

ACCOMMODATION

Mandu is a small township due to which here accommodation options are limited. Their are some cheap hotels and lodges in town area. The most frequently used and best available hotel option is "Malwa Retreat" which is a M.P. Tourism Department hotel. It is a standard category hotel in Mandu and most popular one. It is a nice property and frequently used by travelers. If you are looking for luxury option then options are available in Indore city, Dhar and Maheshwar. Their are number of luxury hotels in Indore. In Dhar town also one nice heritage hotel option is available as "Jhira Bagh Palace". Similarly in Mandu single best accommodation is in Maheshwar fort which is a heritage property. you can stay at luxury hotels in Indore city or Maheshwar fort and do Mandu visit as excursion tour.

NEXT TO HINDOLA MAHAL

If you are looking for other Mandu monuments near Hindola mahal, then one can visit to Jahaz Mahal, Gada Shah Palace, Munj Talao, Hoshang Shah Tomb, Taveli Haveli, Asharfi Mahal, Jami Masjid etc. After completion of Mandu sightseeing, next tourist destinations are Bagh Caves, Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, Vadodara's Champaner Pavagarh site, Ahmedabad, Ajanta Caves, Burhanpur, Ujjain, Sanci etc. These destinations are located in different directions and can be reached in same day drive. According to interest and tour plan, one can proceed towards them.