Indore - the Textile City
Indore is located in the valley of river Narmada in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It lies south of Satpura range on the Malwa Plateau in central India. It is 264 km away from Bhopal. The rivers Saraswathi and Kham flows through Indore. This cosmopolitan capital of Madhya Pradesh obtained its name from the temples of Indreshwar and Indrapur.
History:
Indore is the capital city of erstwhile Holkars rulers. The city was founded by local landlords in 1715. These landlords built the Indreshwar temple in 1741, from which the city got its name. After these landlords the Holkars took over the city. Later it became the headquarters of British central India agency. The city became the summer capital of Madhya Bharat in 1948-1956 before it became the capital of Madhya Pradesh.
Rajwada (Old Palace):
This palace is located near bustling Khajuri bazaar in the older part of Indore. It is a prefect blend of French, Mughal and Maratha styles of architecture. This 200 year old palace has seven stories. Out of these seven stories, the lower three stories are made of stone and the rest are made of wood. Most of the palace had been burned down three times in the past. Tourists can have a view of its façade.
Kanchi Mandir (Temple of Mirrors):
This Jain temple is also called as Seth Hukanchand temple. It is near Rajwada. Its exteriors are plain whereas the intricate mirror works inside the temple are awesome.
Indore Museum:
It is located near Indore main post office. It houses the collections of medieval and pre-medieval artifacts. This place is worth visiting.
Lal Bagh Palace:This palace was built by Holkars between 1886 and 1921. This monument is located in the southwestern part of Indore. A well laid garden is maintained around the palace. Important state functions were held here. The architecture and interiors are of British style.
Gandhi Hall or Town Hall:
This is another important spot worth visiting. This was built in the year 1904. Its architecture is of Indo-Gothic style. It has a four faced clock tower in the front and hence it also called as Ghanta Ghar. Many art and cultural exhibitions are held here.
Chhatri (Cenotaph) Bagh:
It is located near the river Kham. It has a number of Chhatris or memorials to Holkars and their family members. Among these the Chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar is the most impressive one. All these Chhatris are of typical Marathi style architecture.
Bada Ganapati Temple:
This temple was built in 1875. It houses the largest statue of Lord Ganapati in the world. This statue is 8 meters high and is colored bright orange.
Bijasen Tekri:
This is a hilltop picnic spot from where the tourists can have a view of Indore. It is more beautiful to view the city from this vantage point during the night. It has an old guest house of the Holkars which is now a museum. Also tourists can see the temple of Bijasen Mata. It was built in 1920. Every year during the Hindu festival of Navratri, a fair is held here.
Kasturbagram:
This is located 8 km away from Indore. It has a Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust founded by Gandhiji. The major activity of this trust is to develop the rural areas.
Maheshwar:
From Indore, travelers can reach this town in 4 hours by bus. It is famous for temples, fort and silk sarees. These sarees are called as Maheswari and they have intricate patterns.
Mandu:
It will take three-and-a-half hours to reach this place by bus. It is has a number of tombs, palaces and temples belonging to the medieval period.
Indore has its own airport on the western part of the city which is linked to major cities of India. It also has its own railhead and roadways.
History:
Indore is the capital city of erstwhile Holkars rulers. The city was founded by local landlords in 1715. These landlords built the Indreshwar temple in 1741, from which the city got its name. After these landlords the Holkars took over the city. Later it became the headquarters of British central India agency. The city became the summer capital of Madhya Bharat in 1948-1956 before it became the capital of Madhya Pradesh.
Rajwada (Old Palace):
This palace is located near bustling Khajuri bazaar in the older part of Indore. It is a prefect blend of French, Mughal and Maratha styles of architecture. This 200 year old palace has seven stories. Out of these seven stories, the lower three stories are made of stone and the rest are made of wood. Most of the palace had been burned down three times in the past. Tourists can have a view of its façade.
Kanchi Mandir (Temple of Mirrors):
This Jain temple is also called as Seth Hukanchand temple. It is near Rajwada. Its exteriors are plain whereas the intricate mirror works inside the temple are awesome.
Indore Museum:
It is located near Indore main post office. It houses the collections of medieval and pre-medieval artifacts. This place is worth visiting.
Lal Bagh Palace:This palace was built by Holkars between 1886 and 1921. This monument is located in the southwestern part of Indore. A well laid garden is maintained around the palace. Important state functions were held here. The architecture and interiors are of British style.
Gandhi Hall or Town Hall:
This is another important spot worth visiting. This was built in the year 1904. Its architecture is of Indo-Gothic style. It has a four faced clock tower in the front and hence it also called as Ghanta Ghar. Many art and cultural exhibitions are held here.
Chhatri (Cenotaph) Bagh:
It is located near the river Kham. It has a number of Chhatris or memorials to Holkars and their family members. Among these the Chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar is the most impressive one. All these Chhatris are of typical Marathi style architecture.
Bada Ganapati Temple:
This temple was built in 1875. It houses the largest statue of Lord Ganapati in the world. This statue is 8 meters high and is colored bright orange.
Bijasen Tekri:
This is a hilltop picnic spot from where the tourists can have a view of Indore. It is more beautiful to view the city from this vantage point during the night. It has an old guest house of the Holkars which is now a museum. Also tourists can see the temple of Bijasen Mata. It was built in 1920. Every year during the Hindu festival of Navratri, a fair is held here.
Kasturbagram:
This is located 8 km away from Indore. It has a Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust founded by Gandhiji. The major activity of this trust is to develop the rural areas.
Maheshwar:
From Indore, travelers can reach this town in 4 hours by bus. It is famous for temples, fort and silk sarees. These sarees are called as Maheswari and they have intricate patterns.
Mandu:
It will take three-and-a-half hours to reach this place by bus. It is has a number of tombs, palaces and temples belonging to the medieval period.
Indore has its own airport on the western part of the city which is linked to major cities of India. It also has its own railhead and roadways.
