Indore was a trading hub between the Deccan Plateau and Delhi and was discovered by Rao Nandlal Chaudhary in the 16th century. Later, Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar, passionate about education and planning, founded the city in Madhya Pradesh.
The city has been ranked as the cleanest city in India for six consecutive years and is also one of the first 20 smart cities in India. The big city feel and mixed culture make Indore a great tourist destination with delicious cuisine.
Best Places to Visit in Indore
Indore is a perfect blend of historical heritage and modern culture. The city is home to various famous attractions, including majestic palaces and delicious restaurants. It is also the birthplace of the Indore school of Hindustani classical music. Here are five of the most important attractions in Indore:
Rajavada
The pride of the Holkars, the Rajawada Palace, is located near Khajuri Bazaar and is one of the most important monuments in Indore. It is located on a busy road and is the first place that catches everyone’s attention. The main entrance of Rajwada is separated from the busy street by an outer wall, a garden, and a walkway. My first impression of the Holkar Palace was that it was a stunning one. The seven-storey exterior of Rajwada is impressive in its splendor.
Tempo Traveller on rent in Indore
Kanch Mandir
The spectacular Kanch Mandir, built entirely of glass and mirrors, is one of the main attractions of Indore. This Jain temple was built by wealthy businessman Seth Hukumchand in the early 20th century. Everything in the room, including the doors, floors, ceilings, and even paintings and murals, is made of glass. The ceiling is decorated with glass lamps and cut-glass chandeliers, while the floor is covered with glittering patterned tiles. The murals reflect stories from the Mahabharata and Jain literature. Inside the striking glass room on the top floor of the temple, countless statues of Tirthankara — Adinath, Shantinath, and Chandraprabha — are made of gleaming black agate.
Badar Ganapati
Located in a busy area west of Kanch Mandir, the Badar Ganapati temple lives up to its name. The 8-meter-tall Ganesha statue was erected in this simple temple in 1875 by a resident of Ujjain. It is said that apart from bricks and lime, the statue was made using fenugreek seeds, mud from the seven Mokshapuris, sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites (Ayodhya, Mathura, Mayapuri, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika and Dwarka) and powders of five gemstones (Prajna, diamond, emerald, pearl, ruby and topaz).
Lalbagh Palace
Lalbagh Palace is one of the most impressive buildings of the Holkar dynasty. Spread over 28 hectares, it was built between 1886 and 1921 during the reigns of Dukoji Rao II, Shivaji Rao, and Dukoji Rao III. The architecture of Lalbagh Palace reflects European style, and the majestic gate is a replica of the main gate of Buckingham Palace, only twice the size.
Annapurna Temple
The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai was the inspiration for the Annapurna Temple. Located near Lalbagh Palace, the temple has an impressive entrance with four life-sized elephants supporting an elaborate gopuram (a structure usually decorated with towers at the entrance of a temple), which is a typical feature of Dravidian temples in South India. The entire tower is carved with carvings of Hindu gods and goddesses, which are carved out of tiny plaster. The centerpiece of the complex is the main temple, dedicated to the goddess Annapurna. It has a pink dome and the walls are decorated with colorful reliefs of Hindu mythology.
Khajrana Ganesha Temple
Rani Ahiryabai Holkar built the Khajrana Ganesha Temple in Indore. Huge crowds flock to this temple every Wednesday and Sunday to pray. According to legend, the idol was hidden in a well before Aurangzeb. In 1735, Ahilyabai Holkar of the Holkar dynasty of the Maratha Empire retrieved the statue from the well and built a temple on the spot. A local saying is that if a devotee bows to Lord Ganesha, all his wishes will be fulfilled. The most important festival, Vinayak Chathurthi, is celebrated with great fanfare in the temple in August and September.
Gurawat Valley
Every attraction in Gurawat Lotus Valley, Indore is breathtaking, but don’t miss the chance to see the mesmerizing 100-meter-long bridge that spans the lake. Gurawat Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Indore, offering a stunning panoramic view of the lake and blooming lotuses. If you want to experience a magnificent sunrise, you should set out early to experience how the first rays of sunlight hit the floating flowers and then onto the sparkling lake.
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