INTRODUCTION
The city derives its name from the 18th Century Indreshwar Temple & has some interesting monuments associated with the medieval Holkar dynasty. The city is situated in the heart of the Malwa plateau it was the seat of the Holkars the former rulers of this erstwhile state. The area was given to Malhar Rao Holkar by the Maratha Peshwas. Planned & built by Rani Ahilya Bai, the brave Holkar Queen.Indore lies to the extreme west of the state on the banks of river Saraswati & Khan. History of Indore city revolves around the rule of Holkar dynasty who had control over large area of Malwa region and thus their marks of rule can be seen in and surrounding destinations of Indore city. This city changed from a desolate town to a flourishing capital in just 3 years (1818-21), Indore began to grow as a centre of commerce & industries owing to its increasing wealth & population. We talk about Indore tourism, it comprises not only Indore city but also its surrounding destinations, in a radius of 100 kms. As this much distance is manageable to be covered as excursion tour. It means while staying at hotel in Indore, we can visit those surrounding destinations and return back to Indore till dinner time. These popular tourist destinations are Ujjain (60kms), Omkareshwar (90kms). Maheshwar (90kms) and Mandu (90kms). These tourist destinations are very popular among visitors as two of them are only jyotirlinga temples destinations of Madhya Pradesh i.e. Ujjain and Omkareshwar. Where as other two destinations i.e. Maheshwar & Mandu are historical destinations for heritage tourism. In between them Maheshwar is popular as pilgrimage, heritage & leisure tourism destinations. As Indore has very well connected airport and railway satation with hotel options for every category of visitors, thus almost all tourists prefers to reach Indore first to explore Malwa tourism, which is important part of Madhya Pradesh tourism. When we talk about pilgrimage tourism of Madhya Pradesh state, it means we are talking about Indore and its sourrounding touist destinations.
HISTORY
The kin of the originators of Indore were the Landlords of the region which extend from the banks of Narmada to the precincts of Rajputana. In Mughal times, the originators of these families acknowledged the title of Chaudhari, which recognized their claim to the land. Rao Nandlal Chaudhary, the originator of Indore, was the Chief landlord, and had armed forces of 2000 soldiers. In 1713, Nizam was chosen as the controller of the Deccan plateau area, which renewed the struggle between the Marathas and the Mughals. Although visiting the temple of Indreshwar close to the banks of river Saraswati, Nandlalsingh found the place to be secured and strategically located, being surrounded by rivers on all sides. He started moving his people in, and erects the fort of Shree Sansthan Bada Rawala to shield them from harassment by Mughals. The city was named Indrapur (after Lord Indreshwar), and eventually came to be known as Indore. Baji Rao Peshwa finally took control of Malwa in 1733 A.D. Thus, Indore comes to be ruled by the Maratha Maharajas of the Holkar dynasty. The dynasty's originator, Malhar Rao Holkar, (1694-1766), was granted control of Malwa Maratha armies in 1724, and in 1733, was installed as the Maratha governor of the region. In 1818, the Holkars were defeated by the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, and the Holkar Empire became a part of the British Raj. After India's independence in 1947, Indore, along with a number of neighboring princely states, became part of the Indian state of Madhya Bharat.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
When we talk about tourism in Indore city, we can notice that Indore is indeed a historical city and majority of its history revolves around Holkar dynasty rule. While doing city tour of Indore we will realize that here major tourist attractions are historical buildings, temples and eateries. It is a largest commercial city of Central India thus traffic and pollution will be a common problem that we will experience. During its sightseeing, we will realize that city is under influence of Marathi culture. In the name of history, Rajwada, Lal Bagh Palace & Krishanpura Chhatri Bagh is considered. Here temples like Kanch Mandir, Gomatgiri, Khajrana, Annapurna temple etc can be visited, during this city tour. Eatery shops emerges, after sunset. So after doing full day sightseeing, tourists have option to enjoy the tasty dishes at eatery shops centers of Indore city i.e. Chappan Dukaan, Sarafa market. These shops remain open till mid-night and if you are interested to visit these places, then inform your cab driver in day-time so that they will remain prepared for duty till mid night.
Lal Bagh Palace:
Built between 1886 & 1921, the Lal Bagh Palace is one of the grandest monuments from the Holkar Dynasty, commenced by Tukoji Rao Holkar II, Spread over an area of 28 Hectares, this exquisite monument reflects the taste, grandeur & lifestyle of the Holkar Dynasty. The entrance gates are the replica of those at the Buckingham Palace. A bland of Italian Villa, French Versailles Palace, modern comforts Lal Bagh Palace is filled with an inexplicable sense of history. Now the palace is converted into a museum.
Rajwada:
Standing in the heart of a maker place, this two centuries old seven storied palace is a mix of Maratha, Mughal & French styles. Synonymous with the heart of the city it stands witness to the zealous. Holkar rulers of a bygone era. The lower three floors are made of stone & upper floors are made of wood. The Palace has been up in flames three times in its 200 years history. A serious fire in 1984 destroyed most of it, it is now not much more than a facade.
Kanch Mandir:
Close to Rajwada, is a quaint Jain shrine, an architectural marvel in glass, created by Sir Seth Hukum Chand of Indore. Inside the temple, thousands of mirrors adorn the walls, ceilings, floors, Pillars & door knobs, Supplemented by colored patterned ceramic tiles, cut glass chandeliers & lantern type glass lamps. There are painting done in glass depicting scenes of conversion to Jainism & pictures of sinners belong tortured in the afterlife. Atop is a special glass chamber with the images of Lord Mahavira in plan black onyx & the use of glass creates such an effect that the statues are seen multiplied into an indefinite number.
Chhatri Bagh:
On the banks of Khan River the place has Chhatris or cenotaphs erected in memory of the Holkar rulers & their family. The work of art is an incomparable example of Maratha architecture & sculpture. The cenotaph of the founder of the Holkar dynasty, Malhar Rao Holkar I, is the largest & most impressive, decorated with frescoes. The other compound has the cenotaph of Rani Ahilyabai, close by is the beautiful Bolia’s Sarkar’s Chhatri constructed in 1858 AD in memory of Sardar Chimnaji Appa Sahib Bolia.
Indore Museum:
The museum near GPO on Agra-Mumbai road is one of the oldest one in the Malwa region comprising of seven art galleries. The Museum houses one of the finest collections of art & facts from medieval & pre-medieval periods. The exhibits include the finest collections of sculptures from Hinglajgarh in the Mandsaur district & range from early Gupta to Parmara times. Avoid visiting museums on Monday as most of the museums of Madhya Pradesh, remains close on this day of week.
Bada Ganpati:
This temple housing perhaps the largest Ganesh idol in the world measuring 25 Fts from crown to foot is located at the western end of the Mahatma Gandhi road. Built in 1875, it is made up of soil collected from the seven sacred cities of India namely Ayodhya, Mathura, Kashi, Kanchi, Maya, Avantika & Dwarka, powder of panch ratna-heera, panna, moti, manic & pukhraj, holy water from pilgrimages sites, bricks, lime stone & masal made of jiggery & methidana. Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron & Brass constitute the metallic frame.
Annapurna Temple:
In her very colourful sanctum, Annapurna is flanked by the fearsome goddess Kali & the benign goddess Gayatri, All Goddesses are aspects, or forms of the great Mother Goddess.The name of this goddess has been interpreted as ‘She who fills with food’, normally depicted with a rice bowl in one hand & a spoon in the other to stir the boiling rice. This temple is unusual because it is built in the southern or Dravadian style.
Gandhi Hall:
It is popularly known as town hall, made in seoni store in Indo-Gothic archietectural style is also a venue for shravan mela & exhibitions.
Bijasen Tekri:
It is a popular picnic spot, perched on a hillock, it offers a breathtaking view of the Indore city by night.
Iskcon Temple:
It is an elegant temple with statues of Lord Krishna & Radha surrounded by in an area of 1,25,000 sq ft.
Sirpur Tank
Sirpur lake or Sirpur tank is located in south-west part of Indore city. It is a large large waterhole in which local people often visit to do some sort of bird-watching. Being close to nature, large number of local citizen goes for morning or evening walk. Authorities have now developed a butterfly garden in this location so that local people and tourists can further enjoy the nature and photography at this point. Here we can find sign boards, notice boards, compound wall so that visitors will read more about locally seen butterflies and enjoy their visit.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
In Indore people from all religions lives with full communal harmony. So all major festivals of all religions that are celebrated in Central India are celebrated in Indore also with full fame. Hindu are in majority so Hindu festivals like Holi, Rang-panchmi, Diwali, Maha-shivratri, Navrati are celebrated in nice way. Being closely associated with Maharashtra culture so Ganesh Chaturthi of Indore city is a popular festival celebration in Indore city. Ganesh Puja is celebrated in almost all corners of city in big or small way. Similarly Durga Puja is also celebrated here. Business sector if Indore city is dominated with followers of Jain community due to which their festival like Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with full fame in city. During celebration of Navrati and Dandiya dance of city is popular attraction which shows is close association of adjoining Gujarat state. People from Muslim community also shows their presence during their festivals like Eid, Moharrum etc.
LANGUAGE
Indore is a industrial-capital of Madhya Pradesh state in Central India. It is very much linked with Maharashtra & Gujarat state as it is in Western region of state. Being close to Maharashtra & Gujarat state, here you will find hindi speaking people in majority and at the same time Marathi & Gujarati speaking people are also more in compare to other cities of Madhya Pradesh state. Some people names is a mini-Mumbai because of its business & cultural links with Mumbai city in Maharashtra. Being modern city, here people understand & can speak English language also with fluency. When we visit public places like gardens, shopping malls, offices, business places, we will find the touch of Marathi culture and Marathi speaking people. So we can say after Hindi, Marathi is the second language of city.
HOW TO REACH
By Air: The city of Indore is linked to Mumbai, Delhi (via Bhopal & Gwalior) by daily Indian Flight. The private operator Jet Airways also operates from & to Mumbai. The Airport is 9 Kms from the city centre.
By Train:Indore is connected to the main line between Delhi & Mumbai via Ujjain. It is also connected to Ajmer in Rajasthan on a meter gauge rail line. Indore is directly connected through train from important cities & tourist attractions like Mumbai, Delhi, Jabalpur, Pachmarhi, Agra, Gwalior etc.
By Road:
Indore is well connected with bus service from the main Sarwate & Gangwal bus terminals to Ujjain (55 Kms), Dhar, Bhopal (186 Kms), Udaipur (390 Kms), Gwalior (486 Kms), Ahmedabad (384 Kms). Popular tour itinerary of Ajanta-Ellora is most commonly passes through Indore city as its surrounding destinations like Mandu, Dhar, Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, Ujjain, Bhimbetka, Sanchi could be part of such tour itinerary. Indore is very much connected with all those tourist destinations, by road. It remain connected through out the year even in monsoons.
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| Bhopal |
200 |
| Mandu |
95 |
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65 |
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CLIMATE & WEATHER
Indore is situated in Malwa Plateau at the western region of Madhya Pradesh state in Central India. Malwa plateau is on the northern part of Vindhya Mountain Range. It is on the bank of River Khan and Saraswati which merges at the city center. Indore Climate lies between tropical wet & dry climate to humid sub-tropical climate. Climate of Indore comprises all three main seasons i.e. summer, monsoon & winter. From November to February we can observe winter season in which temperature temperature lies from 5°C to 20°C. Summer season can be observed from March to June during which temperature can be lies from 23°C to 45°C. From July to October, Malwa region received monsoon rains from south-west monsoon that arises from Arabian sea. Here rainfall is usually moderate about 32 to 40 inches (880-980mm).
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Indore city can be visited through out the year. From tourism point of view we believe from October to March is the good time to visit Indore city and its nearby popular tourist attractions like Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandu etc. As during this time, after monsoon season on can find good amount of water in riverside destinations like Omkareshwar, Maheshwar & Ujjain and greenery will be good. Similarly traveling in winter & spring season will be more convenient for tourists. During this time all major festivals like Dushera, Diwali, Durga Puja, Christmas, New Year, Baishaki, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi etc are celebrated which can be enjoyed in city.
ACCOMMODATION
One can find all category of Hotels in Indore city. Here we can find cheap to Luxury 5-Star category hotels to cater accommodation requirements of visitors to city. Hotels like Sayaji, Fortune Landmark, Raddison Blu, Lemon Tree, Shreemaya are some of the popular hotels of Indore city.
NEXT TO MADHYA PRADESH
Next to Indore destinations could be Mandu, Bagh Caves, Dhar, Bhopal, Sanchi, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Burhanpur, Ajanta, Ellora Caves, Pachmarhi, Udaipur etc.
9202337070
9202337070