Last but not the least, now it's time to take you on the tour of my own place & that is the majestic Malwa; a region of west-central India comprising a large portion of western and central Madhya Pradesh state. The name is confined to the hilly tableland bounded by the Vindhyachal mountain to the south, but it has been extended southward to include the Narmada river valley and the Satpura range. It is a land of fertile black soil drained by the Chambal, Shipra, Kali Sindh, and Parvati rivers. The region is covered with savanna-type vegetation on the plateau and moist deciduous forests in the southern part, generally on the spurs of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. Malwa’s industrial centers include Indore, Bhopal, Ujjain, Khandwa, Ratlam & Neemuch. The region long has been known for its production of fine Chanderi sarees. In 1948 Malwa was formally divided among the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Malwa is well connected to the country’s
rail and road networks.
Here i will try to elaborate about this hidden jewel of India. So let's start with my own city.....
The Happening Indore
Known as the Commercial Capital of Madhya Pradesh,
Indore was the capital of the Holkars. The largest and most densely
populated city in central India, the city is popular for its history,
monuments, food and over-crowded markets. Rao Nandlal Chaudhary, founder of the city, named it as ‘Indrapur’
after Lord Indra, the deity of Indreshwar temple. During the Maratha
regime, the city was renamed ‘Indur’, which the local Marathi community
continues to use. It was later Anglicised to ‘Indore’ during the British
era. Holkar dynasty played a major role in the history of Indore. Indore
region was granted as a reward to Malhar Rao Holkar, founder of the
dynasty by the Peshwas. Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar brought several
developmental changes and reforms in the city. Although Maheshwar was
the capital of the Holkars during the reign of Rani Ahilyabai, Indore
remained an important commercial and military center. Rajawada, Lalbagh Palace and Sukh Niwas stand testimony to the grandeur of the Holkar era in Indore. It is the birth-land of the Indore gharana of the Hindustani classical music. The great singer Swar samragyi Bharat ratna Lata Mangeshkar was also born in Indore only.
Indore is being awarded "Cleanest city of India" for last consecutive 5yrs. It is in the first 20 cities to be developed as smart cities in India & recently bagged the best Smart city award in the year2021 . It is one of the fastest growing cities in India and houses the third oldest stock exchange, Madhya Pradesh Stock Exchange. Indore is also an important educational hub. It is the only city in
India to have both Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT). One of the prominent school of Indore "Daly college" is ranked among country's top3 co-ed boarding schools according to the EducationWorld India School Rankings 2020-21. The school was founded by Sir Henry Daly of the British army during India's colonial British rule in the year1870. The existing heritage building of the school was inaugurated by the Viceroy lord Dufferin in 1885.
Rangpanchami and Anant chaturdashi mahotsav are the prime festivals of the city. Indore is a paradise for shopaholics. The Sitlamata
Bazaar is popular for Maheshwari and Chanderi saris. Accommodation options are numerous in the city. You can conveniently find budget, mid-range and luxury hotels. There are many multi-cuisine restaurants in the city, which serve Indian, Chinese and international cuisine. Local food items like Poha, Jalebi & Sev are very popular among the visitors.
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| Independence day celebration at Regal square, Indore |
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Maa Narmada- Indore Chalo Movement
Narmada River is the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh which has also played an
important part in development of Indore. As many as 50-years have been completed of the movement started by
the then leaders, eminent personalities and common people to bring
Narmada River’s water to Indore for quenching the thirst of the
fast-developing city.
The demand of
bringing Narmada water to Indore was raised in 1966-67 and a movement
‘Maa Narmada-Indore Chalo’ was started in 1970. Large number of people
and the then leaders comrade Homi Daji, Shubhash Karnik, Rakesh Sharma,
Upendra Shukla and Shashikant Shukla played an important role in raising
the voice of the movement for the development of the city.”
Indore was totally depended on Yeshwant Sagar Lake which was built and
started supplying water to city in 1938. When the population of Indore
increased to over 3.2 lakhs, the demand for an alternate source of water
was raised and the foundation stone for bringing Narmada water to
Indore was laid by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1971.
Since then,
three phases of Narmada water supply have completed and it is the major
reason behind the rapid development of the city. Still,
the city’s development is dependent on Narmada’s water supply. Areas
where there is Narmada water supply have developed quickly compared to
those that don't have Narmada water.
I've been living in Indore for last 13yrs since year2008 when i came here for my engineering from a very small town. Today i see a huge difference in then Indore & Indore now. The biggest change in the city that I've witnessed during these years is the level of cleanliness achieved by Indore which has set a benchmark in all over the country. It's very admiring that team of delegates from many of the foreign countries have come to Indore to study this model of cleanliness that how Indore has transformed itself from a dirty city to the cleanest city of India. The way this city is developing i think soon it's going to become a metropolitan city in upcoming years. According to the government's Ease of living index2020, Indore ranks among the top10 most livable cities of India along with the big names like Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, Ahmadabad & Navi Mumbai etc. Quality education, Health infrastructure & Affordable housing are the key factors behind this success of Indore. Many of the MNCs are now giving preference to Indore over the big cities like Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru for opening their offices.
Best places to visit in Indore
Khajrana Temple
The Khajrana Ganesh temple is a popular landmark in Indore.
It was built way back in 1735 by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, the temple is
home to an 8-metre long Ganesha idol. Legend has it that this temple was hidden in a well as it faced the
threat of destruction by Aurangzeb. Later, it was removed from the well
by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar and a small hut was built around it in the form
of a temple. Over the years, the temple underwent several changes to
finally take the shape that it holds today.
Lal Bagh Palace
The Lal Bagh Palace is one of the most iconic buildings of the Holkar
era. Built by Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar between 1886 and 1921, the
three storey structure was used for hosting royal receptions. The palace
in known mainly for its brilliant architectural style.
Its main gate
resembles that of the Buckingham palace and the rooms are built in the
European Rococo style.
You can see a collection of old coins, and contemporary Indian and
Italian paintings. The interior of the palace features Italian marbles,
flying nymphs and Belgium stained glass. From the bedrooms to the
kitchen to the ballroom, each part of the palace takes you back in time
reminding you of the grandeur of the Holkars. The palace complex is also
believed to have one of the best rose gardens of India during its
prime.
Now an annual fest "Malwa Utsav" is celebrated in the palace's premise mostly in 1st week of the May month. It's like a fair where you can go with your family & friends to enjoy the evening with shopping of hand-made artifacts, clothes & artificial jewellery; you may taste variety of foods available here; children can enjoy the camel ride or experience the thrill on various types of swings. It also provides a glimpse of rich Indian culture where you can watch dance performances of different groups belonging to different states of India. It's an overall treat for the entire family.
Vaishno Dham
This temple dedicated to Mata Vaishno devi situated on a walking distance from Lal bagh palace. This beautiful temple is designed like a tunnel-like structure that gives resemblance of the Vaishno devi cave of Katra. The temple is maintained & administered by the local Sikh community living nearby the temple. This temple is a worth watch.
Rajwada
One of the most historical buildings in Madhya Pradesh, Rajwada
Palace dates back to the 18th century. Built by the Holkars of the
Maratha empire in 1776, Rajwada is located near the famous Chhatris in Indore.
It is renowned for its architectural brilliance and royal design. What
is special about this seven-storey building is that it is a fine blend
of Maratha and Mughal architecture. Now a state property managed by the Archaeology department, Rajwada
remains a historic monument and is visited by thousands of people all
year round. The original palace was destroyed during the 1984 riots and
was then renovated in 2007. The renovation work is still in progress to save this heritage icon of Indore. The grand Rang panchami celebrations held near
Rajwada are extremely famous all across India.
Glass Temple
One of the most popular Jain temples in India, the Kanch Mandir in Indore literally translates to ‘temple of glass’. The temple is renowned for
the several glass paintings and sculptures placed inside the temple.
Dating back to the Holkar dynasty, the Kanch mandir was built in 1903 by
one of India’s industrial pioneers, Seth Hukumchand Jain. It is
believed that craftsmen were hired from Jaipur and Iran to construct
this marvelous structure. The Kanch mandir is popular for its stunning
architecture and grand celebrations held during Jain festivals. From the outside, the temple was built like a medieval mansion but as
you move inside, you can see glass mosaics and carvings all across the
ceiling, walls, floor and columns. Finally, when you reach the garbhgriha, the innermost sanctum of the temple, you can see idols of the Tirthankars flanked by mirrors.
Krishnapura Chhatris
Krishnapura Chhatris are located on the
banks of the River Khan. This monument reveals the actual Maratha style
of architecture with domes and spires that attracts the tourists to
wonder at its grandeur. These beautiful Chhatris are known widely for
their architectural sight. It is stunning sights at night when they are
lit up. Krishnapura Chhatris are royal tombs of the Holkar Dynasty, they
symbolize the glory and fame of the Holkars in the area.
Pitra Parwat
Pitra Parvat Hanuman Temple is considered to be the biggest metal statue of Lord
Hanumanji in Asia. It
is the tallest statue of Lord Hanuman sitting in the country. This statue weighing 90 tons has been specially polished which will protect it from the weather. In the memory of loved ones, the process of planting trees on this mountain started 12 years ago.Today millions
of plants have taken the shape of trees. Here you can take showers of blessings from Hanumanji, roam around in the shades of tall trees & click pictures in the beautiful garden situated in the temple premise. It's a divine place.
Tafreeh Agro Park
Tafreeh Agro Park is located at Indore-Dhar Road. It is a best
amusement park for all age people to enjoy different adventure game, watching
birds, swimming & boating etc. It's a big park spread over the area of 40-acre. It is a
celebration of undiluted joy of nature and agrarian culture. If some one
is interested in adventure then so many rides and adventure available inside
like climbing through rope, angling, amazing sports like Tarzan’s Swing, Monkey Bridge or crossing over an artificial pond through Zipline, boating in the lake or simply rest on a loft built over the tree. Here you can feed the cute rabbits beneath the tree.
You can try to catch the charming ducks floating into the lake. Here you can also dance on the Disco floor available in a hut-like structure .
This is a perfect place for full day picnic activity and
for b'day celebration etc. It's good to go with own personal vehicle.
Regional Park
The very attractive and beautiful park - the Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Regional Park - also known as Pipliyapala Park or Indore Regional Park,
has been developed by the Indore Development Authority (IDA).
Development of the park is around 80 acres of a lake and 42 acres land
near this water body. The serenity of this park comes from nature itself. A canal covers the
whole park from one end to the other, and the bridges over it with mist
fountains, make it seem like out of a storybook. Various attractions in the park include boating in the lake, musical
fountains, jumping jet-fountain, Artists' Village, Indian Gardens or
Necklace Gardens, French Gardens, Maze and Labyrinth, Bio-diversity
Garden, Lake-view Point and a Fast food
Zone.
Annapurna Temple
Annapurna, meaning the 'giver of food
and nourishment', is a Hindu goddess who is worshiped by Hindu
community. The Annapurna
Devi Temple stands as one of the most believed pilgrimage sites of
Indore that is thronged by devotees round the year. Here, the deity is
seen holding a ladle and a container in her hands, which signifies that
those who worship her, will always be flourishing with food and never
suffer from hunger and starvation. The architecture of the
temple is a mere resemblance of Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. Not only
the inner side of the temple and the statue of the idol is an attraction
here, but also its outside walls decorated with legendary characters
are something to take pride in. Tourists are greeted by four full sized elephants, which embrace the temple’s decorated gates.
Bada Ganpati Temple
Housing an iconic 25 foot tall idol of Lord Ganesha, Bada Ganpati Temple
is one of the must see tourist attractions of Indore. The statue of
lord Ganesha here is believed to be the largest in the whole world.
The grandness and serenity
of the temple attracts devotees, peace seekers and tourists in equal
numbers.
Gommat Giri
Just outside the city is Gommatgiri,
a major pilgrimage site with a cluster of 24 marble temples and a
21-foot (6-metre) statue of Lord Gommateshvara of Jainism, a replica of the Bahubali statue of Shravanabelagola(Karnataka). You can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the city from here as it's located at the heights.
Bijasen Mata Temple
Around 5-6kms away from Gommatgiri, this
temple of Bijasen Mata is situated near Indore Airport on a small
hillock. The deity is said to have immense powers and it is said that
wishes of people are fulfilled by the Godess. This place is too crowded
during Navratri festival and during weekends as well. A park is also
developed on one side of the hillock. One can sight the take offs and
landing of flights from the park. Many food stalls are also there which
makes it convenient for people to spend hours at this place.
Indore Zoo
Kamla Nehru Prani sangrahalaya, more popularly known as Chidiya Ghar; it contains some
of the spatial animal species like White Tigress with her cubs, birds,
amphibians and also many carnivores and omnivores. The park also offers
elephant,camel and pony rides to kids. It has a playing area for kids
to interact and bond. There is also a pool and a toy train for
entertainment.
Dewas Tekri
Dewas Tekri (Hill) is a very famous place for temple of Maa Chamunda and
Maa Tulja Bhawani, situated
on a small mountain overlooking the small city of Dewas. It takes only 1hr to reach Dewas from Indore through Bypass road. People from different places come here walking. Vehicle & rope-ways go till the
top but I would suggest to go climbing stairs as it will hardly take half an hour to reach onto the top. You will get peace of mind
when you are there. The place is very famous among locals and must visit place to
visitors if you are in Indore. Both the temples are very beautiful and very old too . From hill you can
see a rare view of Dewas city ,During Navratri Lacs of people come to
Dewas Tekri for Worship.
The Foodie Indore
If the city holds a strong historical
background, there is also the tempting food culture to impress you. There are a lot of other things about Indore which will leave
you speechless. The most important is the food! The Street food of Indore is extremely popular in Madhya Pradesh. The food culture
here has its roots based in recipes from neighboring states and an
amalgamation with an Indori touch. The life in the city starts
with Chai (tea), Poha and Jalebi and later in the day one can easily find some amazing preparation of snacks by the road side. The city offers a wide variety of Namkeens, Poha, Jalebi, Chaat. Kachori, Samosas and local
delicacies such as Daal Bafla.
Sarafa Bazar
Indore
has got the heaven for midnight foodies- the place is called Sarafa
Bazar. Indore’s famous Sarafa Bazar is known for its amazing street food. Amazing Indian sweets like rabdi,
gulab jamun, jalebi and basundi are available at every nook and corner.
'Bhutte ka kees' is a specialty and the Chaat here is also quite popular. Such eateries make Sarafa bazaar an extremely lively hangout place at night. The jewelry market at Sarafa Bazaar is also popular among those
interested in gold investments. In fact, Sarafa is renowned as a daytime
jewelry market and night time "khau gali" ( eatery street).....If you are in Indore, even for a short visit then visiting Sarafa
should be in your must visit list.
Chhappan Dukaan
Another
fascinating part of Indore is Chappan Dukaan (referring to the 56
shops) where you find snacks in abundance! This place is quite literally
a food treasure trunk with assorted dishes. From Pani Puri, to a bowl
of noodles and from north Indian to south Indian delicacies.. you have
sizable number of options to try in a cheerful ambience.
The food shop owners of Indore are extremely
welcoming and hospitable and most importantly, very honest. Explore the regions strikingly rich street food
culture which guarantees you to give a mouthwatering food trek and a
stomach full of love!
Shopper's Paradise
Indore, which once was the trading hub between Delhi and Deccan
region, is often
referred to as ‘Mini Mumbai’. Most of the shopping places in Indore still retain the old-world
charm which makes the whole experience unique for shoppers. Nonetheless, brand conscious can also easily find stores of popular international brands in these markets in Indore. Here i would like to tell about the best shopping places in Indore that you simply cannot miss to visit.
MT Cloth Market
MT (Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar) Cloth Market is one of the oldest
shopping places in Indore that was established during the reign of
Holkars in this region. The shops in this market are mostly set up by
manufacturers and wholesalers, so you can buy a variety of things in
bulk at wholesale prices. Although famous for fabrics, this market also offers a range of
kurtis, suits, sarees, etc. in impressive designs, colors and styles.
This is where you get beautiful clothes at lower prices when compared to
others. Make sure you use your bargaining skills while shopping here as
it can help you save a reasonable amount.
SitlaMata Market
If you have to attend a wedding or any other important occasion and are
looking for an exquisite range of ethnic wear, then head straight to
Sitlamata Bazaar – a hub for retail clothing and sarees. You will find
high-quality fabrics in incredible designs, patterns and colors, be it
the traditional Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees with delicate zari work
or handcrafted fabrics with chikan work, colorful block prints
or tie-and-dye patterns. You will also find a number of shops selling
wedding jewellery that can be purchased to complement the saree, lehenga
or suit that you buy here.
Heritage Market
Contrary to its name, Heritage Market is apt to shop for the latest
designer wear at its many showrooms. Shoppers can easily find all the
popular Indian and international brand outlets in this marketplace,
which is also a favorite hangout for youngsters. So, whether you are
looking for Nike sports gear or Allen Solly formal shirts, you will find
the newest collection of leading brands here. Bargaining is something that you won’t be able to do in these branded
showrooms, but the quality you get here is worth every penny.
Nonetheless, you can also shop for handloom and handicraft items to
decorate your home or gift to loved ones.
Tibetan Market
Tibetan Market is another popular shopping place in Indore that
shoppers should explore if they are in the city during the winter season
to find amazing products sold by refugees from Tibet at reasonable
prices. This market is known for its trendy, good quality woolen
clothes like jacket, sweater, poncho, muffler, etc. for both adults and
kids. You can also find a few
stalls selling Momos, Thukpa and other mouth-watering Tibetan delicacies.
Rajwada
Wandering
around Rajwada, you can also enjoy street shopping.
Like in a mall, there are various floors for respective categories;
Rajwada dedicates entire streets to the different classes for that
matter. Here you can get everything from clothes to gold/silver, fruits/vegetables to utensils, cosmetics to books, artifacts to paintings, international brands to local stuff all in your pocket-friendly budget.
Khajuri Market
Khajuri
Bazaar located at Rajwada is like a huge open library for the book lovers of Indore.
Novels, Encyclopedias, and various books of every genre are available.
Not just these books, it is a one stop market for buying of academic books
at discounted rates and provision is also there for reselling old
books.
The Heritage Train
All
those fond of travel and are nature lovers, can embrace the enchanting
natural beauty of Vindhyachal mountain ranges while traveling in the Heritage Train run by MP Tourism. The train runs on the 9.5 km long Patalpani -
Kalakund Heritage Track.... The meter gauge (very few left in India) train with
three fiber glass transparent coaches, having capacity of 30 passengers, covers the distance
in very relaxing three hours, which gives you enough time to enjoy the natural beauty.
You can book the tickets through IRCTC website. The charges for this heritage journey is currently INR530 / person. The train departs from Dr. Ambedkar Nagar Railway Station (Mhow) at 11:05am. Mhow is a nearby town of Indore popularly known as the birthplace of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Mhow is long form of “Military headquarters of war”. Several public transportation means along with the local buses are frequently available at Indore for Mhow which hardly take 45min to reach. Enroute on-board Tea/Coffee (with Biscuits & Snacks) inclusive in the ticket prize is served to the passengers.Prior to Patalpani waterfall, we have a cottage-like temple built as a
tribute to the first tribal revolutionary of the country who fought for
the independence of nation, Tantya Bheel. Interesting thing about it is
that the train passing by here has to stop for some time as a homage to
this great revolutionary by enlightening incense sticks. Most of the
people are unaware of this legend.
Patalpani
Patalpani
is known for the beautiful Patalpani waterfall with a height of
approximately 300 feet. Legend has it that the depth of the water is unknown and it goes as deep
as the underground world (Patal).
This place is also a famous trekking spot. The fall goes almost dry in
the summer season but the sight is majestic soon after the rainy season. However,
like in most natural mountainous places, you need to exercise caution
here !! Due to some unfortunate fatal accidents in the past, this place
has become infamous, so you need to take full care and NOT go near water or inside the stream. Cliffs/edges have been protected with railings, but you should stay well clear and away from the edge. Being a true Indori, I would request you to not throw any litter there and help keep the place neat, clean, Green, and natural. Although
enough arrangements have been made, you can always carry your garbage
back, if you don't find proper disposal facility/bins nearby.
This is one
of the best natural places that you must visit in Indore reachable by train and road both. This place is
a good picnic spot to hangout with friends or family. Heritage
train stops at the falls for around 45 minutes, enough to explore
and take pictures. Its one of the thrilling water fall experience but during monsoon you can enjoy the full bloom of the place. Lush green
area and fall gives amazing and photogenic view of the eye catching nature's beauty. What's unique about the place is that unlike most falls where we are
usually at the bottom of the falling water, in this case we end up at
the top, and get to see the river flowing away in the valley. The water
at the top is so little, that it is amazing how it could have created
such a huge waterfall.
No
restaurants available here but snacks is available, villagers sell it
for visitors. There are a lot of monkeys in the area so be careful with food. Just be safe and
enjoy the nature.
Nature's show
Then comes the most awaited phase of the trip, the Patalpani – Kalakund
ghat section. You could feel the extreme beauty of it complimented by
the railways. The tunnels, viaducts and being surrounded by lush green
mountain ranges mesmerize the passengers. I would recommend this place
to creative minds. Such views have the potential to fill their minds up
with optimistic thoughts and also to photographers. This rail route was
laid about 150 years ago by the British rulers.
Kalakund
After witnessing the breath-taking scenes all across the track, you reach to the next & last tourist spot of this journey...Kalakund Railway station. No road facility is available to reach here, train is the only mode of transport. The locomotive honks make the ‘Kalakand’ vendors become active on this small Railway station. Kalakand
is a famous sweet dish with Kalakund as its origin, it is a fine treat
for all the sweet tooths. On the right side, behind the railway station
building river Choral flows and on the left side, on a hill there is a building for scout guide. I would suggest to visit here in monsoon.
Here you can spend fun time playing with the water in the river. You can click some beautiful pictures of surrounding green valley. This tiny Railway station is well maintained by the Indian Railways. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva across the river but there is no bridge to reach there. You can reach there either by trekking through the dense forest or crossing the river; I would not recommend to do any of these without taking proper safety measures. You can enjoy the delicious & affordable lunch at the dining hall located at Kalakund Station.
Human
needs peace from the hectic life and the minds too need peace and such
places serve the purpose. For all nature lovers, rail fans this is a highly recommended place
to visit. No restaurants, rest houses could be located here. Only a sum
of 50-60 huts of locals are there. It has no human interference yet and that is a plus point.
It has potential of being a good tourist spot but on the other side it
needs to be preserved from city-dwellers to preserve its tranquillity
and serenity.
The train arrives back at Mhow at 04:30pm. Patalpani -
Kalakund rail section is made tourist friendly. The train halts
at six locations. The 9.5-km journey, passing through several tunnels and 29 sharp curves,
offering spectacular views of waterfalls, the fluorescent Choral river and lush green mountain ranges
along the route, makes it a very rocking and memorable trip for all.
The
city Indore offers a perfect blend of modernity and tradition via its rich
legacy of heritage and architecture. Another especiality of Indore is
that once you start living here, you won't be able to go anywhere else;
that's the charm of this beautiful city. Personally Indore is very close
to my heart as this city gave me everything which i wanted, it actually
gave wings to my dreams to fly high in the sky. In my opinion, it is
the best city in the world.😊
The Romancing Mandu
The historical town Mandu is around 2hr distance from Indore. There are frequent bus services are available from Indore to reach Mandu; but i personally recommend to hire a taxi or you can do a bike ride if you want to make the trip memorable, especially during the Monsoon season because at that time greenery across the road will blow your heart away. Perched on a pleasantly green, thinly forested, picturesque Mandu is home to some of India’s finest examples
of Afghan architecture as well as impressive baobab trees, originally
from Africa and carried here on ancient trade routes. The plateau is
littered with World Heritage–listed palaces, tombs, monuments and
mosques.
History
Mandu was originally founded in the 10th century by Raja Bhoj and was
later conquered by the Muslim rulers of Delhi, who artistically
built pavilions, monuments, mosques, etc. in the city to demonstrate
their legacy. If we go back in history, we can see that Afghan Dilawar
Khan, governor of Malwa, build his own little kingdom in Mandu and later
transferred his capital to his son Hoshang Shah, who raised the
splendor of the city. Later, Akbar conquered Mandu to add it to
the Mughal Empire; however, Marathas came into power in 1732 to rule the
region for a long time.
Kakra Khoh Waterfall
After a long road journey from Indore, this is an entry point for
Mandu visitors. Best visited in Monsoons when the water fall is in its full glory, for
rest of the year it is still a great location that affords spectacular
view of the valley. There is a small perennial stream that you cross to
get across to the viewing platform. You should not leave without having
the soda nimbu pani from any of the make shift stalls here.15-30 minutes halt is sufficient for having some
Nimbupani, bhutta and few snaps with a backdrop of Mandu's Grand
Canyon.
Baz Bahadur Palace
Rewa kund and Rani Roopmati pavilion
A
little hike up from Baz Bahadur Palace will take you to Rani Rupmati’s
pavilion and Rewa Kund. Standing on the edge of the hill, the place has
long corridors and Rewa Kund (water reservoir). The kund was built by
Baz Bahadur so that Rani Roopmati could never run out of water. The
water was supplied in the whole building through an aqueduct.
Around 4 km from
the city lies the splendid Neelkanth Palace which is actually a temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple stands on the place of an ancient
shrine that was transformed into Akbar’s governor pleasure palace. But
the palace was reclaimed and converted back into a temple later. So what
you see today is a temple displaying Islamic style architecture with a
Shiva Linga installed at its centre. There’s also pretty little
waterfall just behind the temple, which adds beauty to the whole place.
Jahaz Mahal
Jahaz Mahal or the Ship
palace is the very famous architectural marvel of Mandu because of it's ship-like architectural design. It was actually a harem built by Ghiyas-ud-din for his 15000
maidens. Constructed between two lakes, the
palace will impress you with its unique architecture. There are gorgeous
halls, cenotaphs and Turkish baths that look absolutely beautiful.
Credit: Google
With its finest architectural magnificence and remarkable history,
Mandu continues to fascinate its tourists with a rich and varied past
that still witness the love and romance between Prince Baz Bahadur and
Rani Roopmati. Their love tales are very famous in Mandu and everyone has a different yet interesting story to tell. Some people say that the structures here are so beautiful that
Shahjahan himself was inspired to built one of the Seven Wonders of the
World 'Taj Mahal' in Agra. Mandu is also known for its 12 huge gateways
that reflect architectural brilliance, including Delhi Darwaza, Tarapur
Gate, Jehangir Gate, and Rampol Darwaza.
Other popular sites that are not mentioned above, but are worth
visiting includes Rock Cut Lohani Caves, Hindola Mahal, Hoshang Shah's Tomb, Jami Masjid, Asharfi Mahal, Hathi Mahal, Jali Mahal, Malik Mughis, Dai ka Mahal, Darya Khan's Tomb, Dai ki Chhotti Behan Ka Mahal,
Jain Temple and 'Delphic Oracle'. Best time to visit Mandu is from August to February as the town has an attractive natural scenery, which looks the best in the rainy season.
The Glorious Maheshwar
Maheshwar is located at a distance of 40-45 km approx from Mandu & 90km from Indore. Buses ply regularly from Indore to Maheshwar. A car is the preferred way to go. It
used to be known as Mahishmati and mentioned in the epics of Ramayana
and Mahabharata under its old name. Does the name ring a bell?
Mahishmati from the epic 'Bahubali' movie series. Well, if you have started
relating things then please don't go further and pull back your
thoughts. It's not the same Mahishmati but the city has great
significance in the Indian history.
Maheshwar is situated on the banks of the holy river Narmada. It's a
small town but is known for many great things.In the 18th century,
Holkar Queen Rani Ahilyabai of Indore revived the soul of the city and
shifted the Holkar capital from Indore to Maheshwar. Under her reign,
the city witnessed a great transformation including independence struggle, progressive society, upliftment of women's and weavers; a lot of buildings were built
and public works were completed.
Devi AhilyaBai Holkar
The queen AhilyaBai was such
a erudite, just and enlightened ruler who cared for her people. After sudden demise of her husband, father-in-law & son, she took the control of Malwa in her hands. She
never observed 'purdah' and was accessible to all those who needed her.
During her glorious reign Rani Ahilyadevi's innumerable contributions
made her a beloved and respected queen amongst her people in a
prospering kingdom, that's why people added the prefix 'Devi' before her name which means the 'Goddess'. Her magnificent and glorious rule ended when she passed away in 1796. In memory and honor of her greatness, the Republic of India issued a commemorative stamp on 25 August 1996.
Today
we cannot forget the accomplishments of Ahilyabai. The transformation
of Indore from a village to a beautiful city. The many Forts, roads,
temples, tanks, wells and rest houses constructed by her across India. Kashi, Gaya, Dwarka, Rameshwaram, Mathura, Kanchi, Badrinath are some of the places developed by her.
Ahilya Fort
What strikes you first in Maheshwar is the splendid Ahilya fort. The
walls of the massive Maheshwar / Ahilya Fort rise straight out of the
Narmada River to a height of more than 30 metres. The Fort is approached
from the Narmada River through a massive arched gateway and a long
flight of stairs.
On top of the gateway are sculptured figures of
musicians. The gateway leads to the Ahilya Parisar. The
magnificent Holkar Fort dominates the landscape of Maheshwar, sitting
high above the sacred Narmada. The artwork of the fort, Temple,
Jharokhe, Windows, Overhanging balconies and Doorways tell a great
story about the place and there are some beautiful carvings of spectacular
designs on the Windows and Doorways of Fort. Devi Ahilyabai had a great
vision and all the works completed in her reign proves that. It is next to impossible to capture Maheshwar Fort's grandeur and beauty in photographs! Maheshwar's temple and mighty fort complex stand in quiet beauty, mirrored in the river below. This super grand fort is also a popular shooting destination among Indian Filmmakers.
Rajgaddi & Rajwada
The Rajgaddi and Rajwada of
Devi Ahilyabai are the must see places built within the Fort complex. Maheshwar holds the
distinction of being the capital of Rajmata Ahilya Devi Holkar's empire
during the 18th century. It
is from here Queen Ahilyabai used to sit for administration and justice for
all.
On the Rajgadi there is a sitting statue of Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar with a Shivling in her hand. Within the complex, there
are other collectibles of the Holkar Dynasty that are kept in other
rooms for public display.
A double storeyed
gateway, directly opposite the main entrance to the Rajwada, leads to a
flight of steps that brings one closer to the Narmada ghat. It is from
this gateway that one can see the panoramic views and the majestic
Narmada River.
Baneshwar Temple
A centre of handloom weaving since the 5th century,
Maheshwar has been producing the exquisite Maheshwari sarees and fabric,
a delicate cotton and silk blend handloom; the queen Ahilyabai did so much efforts for the upliftment of weavers, also she made the Maheshwari sarees famous by
wearing them and gifting them to dignitaries who came to meet her..... so you can buy some authentic Maheshwari sarees from here.
Lingarchan Puja
Lingarchan
Puja is a ritual followed at the Fort everyday since the time of Queen
Ahilya Bai as she was a devout Lord Shiva devotee. In her time 101
priests performed daily blessings for the entire population of the
Holkar State. Now 11 Brahmins make fifteen thousand Shivlings out of earth, do a puja and immerse them in the River on a regular basis.
City of Temples Ujjain
Ujjain is one of seven sacred Hindu cities. Ujjain (Ujjayini) was the capital of the Avanti kingdom as mentioned in the Hindu epic The Mahabharata. Ujjain is the seat of Vikram University (founded in 1957). It is also one of the sites of the Kumbh mela, a Hindu festival held there every 12 years. The city is deemed as one of the top religious places in
the country. Formerly known as Avantika, Ujjain has a long cultured
past and continues to be an important place of pilgrimage and one of the
most pious Hindu cities for Shaivites.
Located on the bank of the holy Shipra River in the Malwa Region
of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is considered the Greenwich of Indian by
astronomers as the Tropic of Cancer drifts past the city’s iconic Ved
Shala. Besides, Ujjain is also steeped in history. It was ruled by
powerful kings such as Vikramaditya and Chandragupta II and served as a
home to the legendary poet Kalidasa. This flourishing kingdom was on the trade route between north and south India. There are innumerable religious
sites in Ujjain that proffer a divine and cultural insight into the rich
heritage of the city.
Ujjain has also featured in both ancient and modern literature. The
great 5th century Indian classical Sanskrit poet Mahakavi Kalidasa, who
was a court poet of the Gupta Empire, described the city in his work
"Meghaduta." More recently, celebrated novelist E.M. Forster traveled
through the area in the early 20th century and wrote about it.
You can easily go to Ujjain from Indore as there are a no. of buses & trains are available frequently. The journey takes only about 1hr to reach Ujjain from Indore. You can also book cabs or choose to go comfortably in your own vehicle since it's a very well maintained highway road. There are a plenty of tourist attractions in Ujjain, if you don't have your own vehicle then I would recommend you to take 1-day sightseeing tour of the city offered by many travel agents located near the Mahakaleshwar temple. But before that, make sure that first you should complete your visit to the famous Jyotirlinga temple. My first visit to Ujjain was happened in the year 2008 when i came here to give my Engineering entrance exam. I still remember that one day before the exam, i went to the Mahakaleshwar jyotirling temple & by the grace of Lord Mahakaal i got good marks in the exam to get admission in a good engineering college with the desired stream.
Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are considered
to be the holiest abodes of Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain was
built by Lord Brahma. However, it was demolished during the time of the
Mughals. Later, Maratha kings ruled Ujjain, a district of Madhya
Pradesh. Ranoji Scindia rebuilt the Mahakal temple during his reign.
It was renovated by different kings from time to time. Bordered by the massive Rudra Sagar
Lake, the temple continues to be one of the most sacred and outstanding
places of pilgrimage for Hindus providing visitors with an altogether
different and unmatched peace of mind and composure. The temple
showcases sculptural artistry and sophistication that takes a cue from
the Maratha and Chalukya styles of architectural design and is complete
with impressive images of Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Parvati adorning the
walls. Apart
from these, the splendid Bhasmaarti of the temple is a ritual ceremony
that you should not miss.
The temple also hosts many religious festivals and celebrations
every year that are celebrated with great fervor and devotion. One of such festival is Nag Panchami, a festival which is dedicated to Nagas and snake deities. The Nagchandreshwar Temple is located on the third floor of the Mahakal temple and was
built by King Bhoj in the year 1050. The gates of this temple are opened only on Nagpanchami,
making it a special day for the devotees to worship the snake deities.
As per the Hindu texts, on this day, Nagraj Takshak himself comes in the
temple. The stunning feature of this temple
is the ten-headed serpent God and under the fun is Lord Shankar,
Goddess Parvati, and Ganesh.
KalBhairava Temple
The Kalbhairava Temple is supposed to be associated with the Tantra
cult of Hinduism, which is a secret religious sect who thrived upon
black magic. Bhairav is believed to have been a fierce manifestation of
Lord Shiva, and KalBhairava is the most sacred among the eight
Bhairavas. Kal Bhairav Temple in Ujjain is a must visit temple famous for its
unique tradition of offering liquor to god. History of this temple at
Ujjain is very interesting and the Pagdi (Crown) which Lord wearing is
of King of Shinde or Schindia of Gwalior.
Kal Bhairav Temple said
to have been built by King Bhadrasen on the banks of Shipra River. This
ancient temple is dedicated to Kal Bhairav, the chief among the eight
Bhairavs. The striking feature of the Kal
Bhairav Temple is its exquisite paintings in Malwa style, only traces
of which are noticeable. This temple has a unique tradition to offer liquor to god, whole year
you will find all types of liquor on the shops outside temple. Temple
has a deep stambh also, which is enlightened by the devotees regarding
their wishes. You can also spot many sadhus with ash-smudged bodies and long
matted hair around this temple.
Chintaman Ganesh Temple
Chintaman Ganesh Temple is one of the oldest temples in Ujjain, housing a
large idol of one of the most worshipped Gods of India, Lord Ganesh. It
is believed that the largest idol here was born of itself; hence it’s
of huge religious significance. Devotees throng to this temple because
the deity here is commonly known as Chintaharan Ganesh meaning ‘the
assurer of freedom from worldly anxieties’.
Harsiddhi Mata Temple
The Harsiddhi Temple was built in honor of Goddess Harsiddhi and is
one of the 51 Shaktipeethas across the country.
Legend has it that when Lord Shiva was performing the tandava while
carrying Sati’s burning body, Vishnu released his chakra, which split
her body to 51 parts. Devotees who flock to this temple believe that the
Goddess’s elbow fell in Ujjain, where this temple was constructed by
legendary King Vikramaditya. The idol of Mata Harshiddhi is beautiful
and gives a truly divine feeling. The temple enshrines 3 Goddesses one
on top of another, namely, Annapurna, the Goddess of nourishment,
Mahasaraswati, the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge, and Mahalakshmi, the
Goddess of wealth. The red sandstone temple is peculiar to the Maratha
art of architecture.
ISKCON Temple
A visit to Ujjain remains incomplete without visiting the spiritual
retreat of ISKCON Temple. Touted as one of the most iconic places in the
city of Ujjain, this is a chain of temples all over the world, and the
one in Ujjain has exceptional significance and welcomes a plethora of
devotees and tourists daily. The soothing chants, the echo of the
tinkering temple bells, and the unparalleled peace of the place come
together to guarantee an escape into the world of spirituality. The
gardens are brimming with colourful flowers, which further add to the
beauty of the opulent temple complex. Don't forget to enjoy the mouth-watering food available here.
Shri Mangalnath Temple
Shri Mangalnath Temple is situated a little away from the city of Ujjain
and can be reached through a meandering road crossing the vast expanse
of the holy Shipra River. According to the holy Matsya Purana,
Mangalnath is the birthplace of the red planet, Mars, also called
Mangal. During the yester years, the spot was famous for offering a
clear view of the planet and was highly preferred for astronomical
studies. The mystical temple is a highly revered shrine in Ujjain and is
dedicated to the planet Mars.
Many people come here for resolution of their "Mangal-dosh" which is considered as a dangerous planetary position of Mars in one's birth-chart according to Indian Astrology that can adversely effect one's married life. They perform here "Bhaat-puja" to reduce the adverse effects of planet Mars in their lives.
The celebrated couple Aishwarya Rai & Abhishek Bachchan had also visited this temple to get the blessings of Shri Mangalnath before their marriage.
Navgrah Shani Mandir
This one-of-a-kind temple in Ujjain is located on the Triveni Ghat on
the banks of River Shipra and is touted as India’s first Navgraha
mandir and the only Shani temple in the world where Shanidev is
worshipped as Lord Shiva. Dating back to over 2,000 years, the temple
pays homage to the nine planets Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budh, Guru,
Rahu, Shukra, Ketu, and Shani. Shani or the God of Justice is believed
to be one of the strongest planets and has a great impact on
astrological charts. According to Hindu mythology, Shani blesses and
gives wealth and prosperity to follow good deeds as well as severely
punishes those who indulge in evil deeds. Make sure you plan your visit
and reserve one of the Saturdays or Amavasya nights to see the temple
take on a completely different avatar. On Amavasya or new moon night,
the temple complex is dotted with thousands of devotees who offer more
than 5 quintals of oil to Shani. One can spot flocks of crows, which
happen to be the vehicle of Shani, around the temple and feeding them is
considered auspicious.
Sandipani Ashram
Ujjain has an extraordinary geographical location—not only does the Tropic of Cancer
pass through it, it was India's Prime Meridian (zero degrees longitude)
before the world's official Prime Meridian was set at Greenwich in
1884. This was determined by ancient Indian mathematicians and
astrologers way back when Ujjain was known as Avantika. It's documented
in the "Surya Siddhanta", one of the earliest Hindu texts on
astronomy written in the 4th century. Ujjain was a crucial center for
mathematical and astronomical research in the 6th and 7th centuries.
Unfortunately, the city's first observatory was destroyed by invading
Sultan Iltutmish, from Delhi, in 1235. It wasn't until the 18th century
that Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh built the existing one, known as Jantar
Mantar. It's one of five such observatories that he constructed in India
(the others are in Delhi, Mathura, Varanasi and Jaipur),
and the only one that's still in use. Its intriguing astronomical
instruments work by casting shadows. If you're there around
noon on June 21, the day of summer solstice, the sun will move directly
overhead and your shadow will completely disappear for a minute! Bhartrihari Caves
This is the very
place where Bhartrihari, the step brother of King Vikramaditya and a very
renowned poet used to live and meditate after relinquishing all the
luxuries of life. The caves are situated on the banks
of River Shipra, adjacent to the temple of Gadkalika, this is the reason
the Caves were a serene place to be in and hence accentuating
Bhartrihari's concentration while meditating. Here you will have to climb up on the stairs to reach the caves.
The Kumbh Mela(Simhasth)
Hindu scriptures say that Ujjain is one of four holy places where drops of Amrit (the nectar of immortality) fell during a legendary fight between gods and demons, known as Samudra Manthan. The Kumbh mela is held at each of these places (the others are Haridwar in Uttarakhand, Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and Nashik in Maharashtra) once every 12 years. The festival at Ujjain is called the Simhasth Kumbh due to the certain configuration of planets. Attending is not for the faint of heart though! It's the
largest human gathering in the world. It is the abstract cultural heritage of India declared by UNESCO which attracts millions of
pilgrims and Sadhus (Hindu holy men) every day. They come grand
in procession to cleanse their sins by taking a dip in the Shipra
River, and give discourses to curious spiritual seekers.
The Shipra River, also known as Kshipra River, is one of the holiest
rivers in India. There are many stories about it in the "Skanda Purana,"
an ancient Hindu text associated with Lord Shiva dating back to around
the 6th century. Taking a dip in the river is believed to purify body
and soul. The most
celebrated place to do this is Ram Ghat, where Lord Ram is said to have
performed his father's last rites. However, there are other popular
bathing ghats along the river.
Unfortunately the river was running completely out of water in the years prior to the Kumbh. To overcome this issue, the then state government launched the project called "Narmada-Kshipra river link project".The project was meant to ensure availability of water during Simhasth kumbh by releasing water into Kshipra river at it's origin Ujjaini village, as it flows to Ujjain. This was a successful project led by the state government because of which the devotees could enjoy the holy bath in the Kumbh. Here one interesting thing happened that whether circumstantially but the river Narmada also involved in the Kumbh & the pilgrims got additional benefit of having bath in the Sangam of two sacred rivers, Narmada & Kshipra. I don't know whether this sudden involvement of Narmada in the Kumbh would have been predicted in our ancient texts or not, but this was a lovely incident.
The last Kumbh Mela was held in Ujjain in
the year 2016 & the next Kumbh Mela will be held in Ujjain in 2028. Kumbh Mela is a Hindu pilgrimage of
faith in which Hindus and people from all over the world gather together
at a place to bathe in a sacred river. The Ujjain Kumbh Mela is a pompous and colourful event and
is a treat for travellers. It is an enriching experience which immerses
the attendees of the fair in the colours of spirituality and old world
charm. One is never too young or too old to attend the Kumbh Mela. A
ceremonial bath in these holy rivers is considered to be the essence and
most significant ritual of this festival. It is believed that a holy
dip in these rivers cleanses the soul of individuals and frees them from
all their sins, as the rivers turn into the areas of sanctity during
the favourable time of the Kumbh Mela.
My experience of Simhasth
I
was fortunate enough that i could attend the Simhasth Kumbh in 2016. As
i live in Indore so it was not a very big deal for me to reach Ujjain
during Simhasth. But once i reached there, i realized that the day was
not going to be so easy as i was going to enter into the ocean of
people. It was a sunny noon of May & the almighty sun was showering
it's fireballs on the pilgrims. The vehicles were not permitted in the
city after a certain boundary, so we had to walk to move ahead. The
distance is not so long in normal days but during the Kumbh all the
routes were diverted to handle the heavy rush of people, that's why it
took almost 45min to reach at Ramghat by walk.
New feel of the city
On
the way to Ramghat, it was almost impossible for me to recognize the
city Ujjain while i'd been there many times before. But this time it was
completely different; the city was filled with folks, Policemen,
heighted watch towers, road-side stalls selling several items, tents of
saints, public toilets & many more to explore. Soon we started
feeling dehydrated due to the extreme hot whether, so we sat in the
shelter for sometime & had some cucumber sprinkled with red chilli
powder & salt.
The Holy Bath
Then
we arrived at Ramghat ready to jump into the river without further
delay. Although bathing is the main ritual of Kumbh but i think it was
our biggest need at that time not because of any religious or spiritual
reason but due to the excessive heat. Jokes apart! i was filled with
thrill to enter the waters while holding on to chains near the bank
railings, so that we do not drift into the river. A plenty of people
were in the river at the same time, children were playing with the
water, people were swimming & clicking pictures, some of them were
offering water to the sun & cheering up the slogans of "Jai
Mahakaal, Har Har Mahadev". There was a newly wed sweet couple & the
husband was trying to teach some swimming tricks to his non-swimmer
wife but she was continuously refusing due to fear of water. On that hot
day, dipping in the holy cold water was something like discovering
water in middle of the dessert. So we remained in water for almost 2hrs.
Now comes the horrible moment for ladies, Changing clothes.... I am
calling it horrible because all of the changing rooms (temporary tent
like structure made of clothes) were too dirty & filled with mud in
all over the place. But it can be justified as ladies were coming
continuously into these rooms with their wet clothes so obviously it
can't be kept dry. Same issue we had to face with the public toilets,
although there were a no. of temporary eco-friendly toilets were made by
the administration but the administrative officers can't come to flush
the shit, so it's our duty to keep the toilets clean but the people who
come here to cleanse themselves often forget to keep the place clean. So
if you are planning to participate in Kumbh, then don't expect very
much cleanliness because people get out from the Kumbh becoming purified
as they leave their dung behind. It's pathetic but it is the Kumbh.
The tough time
After
having lunch, now it's time to visit Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling temple
& i didn't expect that it's gonna be the biggest challenge of the
whole day, much bigger & tougher than changing clothes in a wet room
or finding a clean toilet. The peak of the temple was easily visible to
us & we started walking towards it. I had no idea that this 1km
distance was soon going to be convert into miles. By then it was
5o'clock in the evening & we were walking happily on the way to the
temple filled with a new energy after taking the holy dip. But soon our
energy faded away when we saw the calm ocean of people turning out into a
stormy one flooded with sudden flow of people coming towards us in
bulk. The encounter happened between the two waves of people coming
from opposite directions & we started sinking. Yes, it was literally
the same experience like drowning into the water. Me & my mother
were tightly holding each other's hand but suddenly we lost in the
crowd, it was something i can't explain in words. Fortunately we found
each other back within 5min. Then a point came when we were too stuck in
the crowd that we were unable to breath for a few seconds. It was
really scary. The announcements were continuously being done for the
lost ones to come at the "Lost & found camp" where their family
members are waiting for them. Like you would have seen in many of the
old bollywood movies that one of the children is being lost during the
Kumbh, so it's not just a tale rather it's the reality. Meanwhile the
policemen started barricading on the road & somehow we were rescued.
But our real struggle started now when the announcement began for
diverting the route to Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling temple. So now we had to return back & take a long route to reach the temple.
After
this long & hectic walk we were feeling so tired that we chose to
ride on a handcart which was the only conveyance option allowed in the
city. I had never ever thought that one day i will be taken on a
handcart, but everything is possible in Kumbh as you get chance to do
get together with variety of people. Now we entered into the vicinity of
temple after 2hrs of this chaos & we thought that our struggle has
now come to end but we had no clue that another battle to enter into the
temple was waiting for us. We were walking in the lane just behind the
temple to reach at the main entrance of the temple, but that was still
not so easy. Crowd was continuously increasing in the evening so again
the route was diverted by the Police at the very moment when we were
just about to enter into the temple. We were so close to the temple but
still just roaming round & round around the temple, because
everytime we could reach at the main entrance the Police started doing
barricading & diverting the public back to another entrance. It
lasted for 1hr, by then we had completed 5circular rounds around the
temple. We had completed 5 Parikrama of the temple which was a good
thing happened unknowingly. Till then we had completely lost the hope to
enter into the temple & avail darshan labh of Lord Mahakaleshwar due
to that heavy rush but suddenly some miracle happened & one of the
kind Policeman removed the barricade on one entrance & we finally
entered into the main temple. It took another 2hrs inside the temple in
the queue as there was no Special darshan facility available during the
Kumbh. But ultimately we reached to the sanctum sanctorum and all the
tiredness & negative energy just vanished after having darshan of
Lord Mahakaal.
As
we stepped out of the temple, the Aarti began so everyone just stopped
at their places outside the temple, all the shopkeepers got out of their
shops, all stood on the road heading towards the temple & started
singing the prayer in the chorus in sync with the one playing in the
loudspeaker. It was an awesome experience.
Now another battle was waiting for us & that was 'finding our shoes'😀 as the roads around the temple were covered with a
plenty of footwear scattered everywhere because that time shoe stand
facility was not functional due to the heavy crowd. So as expected we
couldn't be able to find our footwear & returned to Indore barefoot.
During
the Kumbh Mela, non-vegetarian food is banned
throughout the city. Some ancient delicacies are prepared for the
pilgrims that include Dal Bafale, a dish similar to the famous
Rajasthani dish Dal Baati. In front of many houses, there were stalls
wherein locals were doing service by offering cold water to the pilgrims
in the copper vessel. This was like a treat on that sunny day. Saints
with matted locks of hair, their
bodies covered in ashes and tridents in hand can be seen roaming all
around. The city is filled with all kinds of artists, from astrologers
to palmists to snake-charmers, the list does not end. Saffron becomes
the colour of the city and colourful flags and banners flow across all
streets. The air is engulfed with the hymns of the saints chanting the
prayers of Lord Mahakaal along with the rhythms of conch shells. Bands
play and people dance in euphoria.
Kumbh was also a place of regular gatherings of learned ascetics for discussion and debate. Here
i would like to make special mention of a unique thing which I'd seen
here that among the tents of several Hindu saints, there was a camp of
Muslims who were selling various Islamic religious books. This is
something can happen only in India where a minority community is allowed
to promote their own religion fearlessly amidst of the largest Hindu
gathering in the world. You can't even imagine this thing to be happen
during either Ramzan in Mecca or Christmas in Vetican. This flexibility
is the charm of Hinduism.
Ujjain
is itself an ancient piece
of art. There are plenty of
historical and religious places to visit in Ujjain present in almost
every nook and corner of the city. It is said that it will take approx.
one entire month if you visit each & every temple of Ujjain, so plan a visit to this enchanting city soon and
embrace its calm and spiritual vibe.
Malwa is more developed in many areas than other regions of Madhya Pradesh like
education, health & economy. It can be considered as an ideal land
for farming because of it's fertile black soil. Whether of this region
is also very pleasant as it rarely goes above 40degrees in the summer,
also it's very moderate in the winter & in the rainy season as well.
So possibility of facing the extreme whether conditions are very
unlikely to occur here. People of Malwa are very sweet by nature, they
are foodie, socially very active, they love to celebrate each &
every small thing, they are very passionate towards the life. Some areas
of Madhya Pradesh like Bundelkhand or Chambal are still very backward
& this backwardness reflects in the nature of people belonging to
those regions. But thanfully that is not the case with Malwa; people
living here keep very progressive thinking & modern approach for
everything. This may be the impact of the queen AhilyaBai Holkar who
ruled in this region for decades as she had the vision ahead of her
time.
Nimad
The
western region of Madhya Pradesh is called Nimad. Legend has it that
this place had a mixed culture of Arya & Un-arya(Non-Arya)
civilizations that's how it got the name "Nimarya" which later on
transformed into 'Nimad'. According to another belief, Nimad got it's
name due to the abundance of Neem trees in this region. It's surrounded
by Vindhyachal mountains at one end & Satpura mountain range on the
other end. Narmada river flowing through middle of this region separates
it into two parts i.e. eastern & western Nimad. The dialect spoken
here is called Nimadi. Nimadi folk songs are very famous in this region.
Gangor is the main festival celebrated in Nimad during Nav-ratri.
Khandwa & Khargone are the major cities of Nimad.
The Melodious Khandwa
Now
you would have been curious about why i called this city melodious?
Yes, it is because Khandwa is the birth-place of the celebrated veteran
singer Kishore Kumar. He was born and brought up in Khandwa and did his education in Indore at Christian eminent college.
His soothing voice still could be heard in Khandwa in the homes of
locals playing their songs in loudspeakers. Even i think that every folk
born here has some essence of Kishore Kumar as they all are so good at
singing. Since one of my maternal aunt lives in Khandwa so I've been
there many times & i noticed that sounds of locals singing Kishore
da songs in mic used to be heard every evening in her colony.
You can easily find all the musical instruments in many of the houses
located here. If you are going to attend a wedding in Khandwa & if
you are a music lover like me then no other night could be more cheerful
than a Sangeet ceremony in Khandwa. I've experienced that joyful night
at my cousin's wedding where the family members used to sing for the
whole night. I am also very much fond of singing so i didn't miss the
golden opportunity to sing in the city of such a musical legend. Here
you can also visit the memorial place of Kishore Kumar built as a tribute to the music maestro.
Dadaji Darbar
Another
great man for whom Khandwa is known is Dadaji Dhuniwale. He is
remembered as a great wandering saint who always sat in meditation
before the holy fire (called "dhuni" ) so remembered as
"Dada Dhuniwale" ( Dada means Grandfather). His real name was Swami Keshavanandaji Maharaj. He never wore any clothes on his body. Dadaji Dhuniwale has the same place among his devotees as Shirdi ‘s Saibabaaba. He is being
worshipped as the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. His exact biography is not
available but many myths about him are there
in the common. "Dada Darbar" (The Court of Dadaji) is located at his
Samadhi (burial) place. Millions of the devotees come here from all
parts
of India and abroad and on "Guru Purnima" attends the fair at this
place. On the occasion of Guru Purnima, the whole Khandwa city aquires a
completely different look due to the crowd gathered here to get the
blessings of Dadaji. There are about 27 dham (places of worship, prayer
and other
religious activities) in India in the name of Dadaji. Dhuni (The holy
fire ) has been continuously burning at the place since his time. His
samadhi is located in the Khandwa city about 3 KM south to the
bus/railway stations.
Dadaji
used to roam constantly in the villages on the bank of river Narmada and set up
his dhuni. Grateful people began to call him ‘ Dadaji Dhuniwale’
maharaj. Soon he attained the
‘Paramhansa’ status of the yogi wherein one ceases to live for himself,
and his existence is for the benefit of others only. He abandoned all
worldly possessions and assumed the diagambar State. He
attained enormous spiritual energy and superhuman powers which he
generously sprinkled on the needy to rid them of worldly pains like
diseases, poverty etc. There are also instances where he
restored life in the dead, and gifted sight to the blind. True devotees
are experiencing his benevolence even today. It is said that coming to his court, unfulfilled prayers are always
fulfilled.
He bestowed his mortal throne on his
dear disciple Swami Harihar Bhole Bhagwan (Chhote dadaji) and entered sanjeevan Samadhi
at Khandwa in 1930 AD. He vehemently
supported India’s freedom struggle against British rule. Eminent leaders
like Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Motilal Nehru, Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya etc.
had personally obtained his blessings.
Khandwa
is a lovely city. The only disappointing thing about the place is that
it has been infamous for Hindu-Muslim riots for past few years. On
various occasions of Hindu & Muslim festivals, the city becomes so
sensitive that the administration has to impose curfew at several
places. The harmony should be brought back in the city of such renowned
figures like Dadaji Dhuniwale & Kishore Kumar.
The Divine Omkareshwar
It is a100km drive from Indore on Khandwa
road and is 10 km from Mortakka; it
takes around 2.5 hours of travel so it's better to leave a bit early in the morning. This
jyotirlingam is
located on the Mandhata island which has the shape of the Sanskrit
syllable "OM"
and is surrounded with the waters of River Narmada from all 4 sides.
Easier way to reach the temple is a short walk through hanging bridge
across the river Narmada. I first visited this place on the very next day after i got admission in the engineering college in Indore.
Built
in the Nagara style, the Omkareshwar temple is featured by an eminent
Shikhara. You'll get charmed by the stunning architecture and striking
mural paintings & carvings of the place.
As per the legend when Narad, the great prophet visited to the god of
Vindhya Mountains, he was quite raging after knowing that there was no
dwelling for Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was very delighted
when the deity of the mountain said that he would make Omkareshwar one
of his homes. Shiva
was pleased with the worship of Vindhyachal and believed to have
appeared in two forms, namely Omkareshwar and Amaleshwara. That's why
the place is dedicated to Lord Shiva and till now it is a strong belief that the subtle Light (Jyoti Roopam)
of the Almighty is there 24 hours and the holy universal healing sound
of OM is emitted from it continuously in the subtle form. The entire area of this holy place is bordered by mountains,
making an enchanting view for travellers. If you're here you must take a
Parikrama around the island as it is considered to be very religious
and you'll feel relax and peace. The parikrama path is
studded with several temples and architectural delights.
We
normally do lots of expenses on ourselves but when it comes to spend
on some spiritual practice at such holy places then lots of people start
blaming the pandits or the system there. I believe that it is OK
if we give some reasonable money and get the Spiritual Offerings
(Pooja) done at such places as we normally visit such places very rarely
so we should do
the best we can at such places which makes us feel happy. Kindly note
that there may be some pandits there who may try to get more
money out from you in the name of spiritual offerings but kindly do
not spoil your spiritual mood for these things and do enjoy the true
blessings of this Formless Almighty which i think may help us in our
spiritual journey ahead.
The over-crowded place
So
if you get a chance to visit this sacred place then do visit Shri
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga for sure and experience the divine bliss present
there. The view of the river in spate is truly
awesome and adds to the spirituality of the place. But never ever think to stand in the queue for Darshan because you would not even find the end of the queue to stand as the queue could be so long upto kilometers that too in a very narrow lane. However temple complex and the management needs to have more system in
place as even after buying the Special darshan tickets, you can not find the proper entry route for that. When we went there we had to roam here & there around the temple for almost an hour to find the exact route to enter into the temple through our Special darshan tickets. When we were roaming there almost clueless about what to do next, that moment i thought that today we will not be able to avail darshan labh of the jyotirling but then finally we could enter into the temple with the help of a Panditji. There are no bathroom, drinking water facilities in the temple complex. There
aren't many places to eat food. Only option and it is really worth
exploring is MP Tourism Hotel. Their food is good. Location of
restaurant is beautiful. You can see Dam, river and Omkareshwar temple. When in Omkareshwar do not miss the boat ride.The boats start from the ghat and
circles the omkareshwar island. The boat ride
will be about one hour. If you are planning to have bath in the Narmada
river at Omkareshwar, then i would recommend you to simply avoid it
because water level is very deep here & it could be really dangerous
to go into the water if you are not a good swimmer.
So, come and enjoy a splendid time vacationing in this must see
destination of Madhya Pradesh and explore the serene town of
Omkareshwar.
That's
Malwa & Nimad for you folks. So you can plan a 1-week journey to
explore these two fascinating regions of Madhya Pradesh.
JAI MAHAKAAL!
ject, which has capacity to lift 432 MLD water
The project, which has capacity to lift 432 MLD water from
The project, which has capacity to lift 432 MLD wa
