|
|
Indore is the commercial capital of the Malwa
region and the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.It is situated on the
Malwa Plateau just south of the Satpura Range. It is the largest city in
Madhya Pradesh. Indore is the administrative headquarters of the Indore
District and Indore Division and formerly served as the capital of the
former princely state of Indore and the summer capital of the erstwhile
state of Madhya Bharat. The name Indore originated from the historical
temples of Indreshwar and Indrapur. With time this was changed to Indore.
History :- Indore was formerly ruled by the Maratha Maharajas of the
Holkar dynasty. The dynasty's founder, Malhar Rao Holkar, (1694-1766), was
granted control of Maratha armies in Malwa in 1724, and in 1733, he was
installed as the Maratha governor of the region. By the end of his reign,
the Holkar state was de facto independent. He was succeeded by his
daughter-in-law Ahilyabai Holkar who ruled from 1767 to 1795.After India's
independence in 1947, Indore, together with a number of neighbouring
princely states, became part of the Indian state of Madhya Bharat. Indore
was designated the summer capital of this newly created state. On November
1, 1956, Madhya Bharat was merged into Madhya Pradesh, with Bhopal as the
capital city.
Geography :- During the winter season the night-time lows are around
10 °C. The lowest ever recorded low is 1.5 °C. During the summer season the
days are hot (35 to 40 °C) with the peak-summer-day-temperature (in May)
sometimes touching 45 °C. The summer nights in Indore are cool and pleasant.
Due to Indore's location on the southern edge of the Malwa Plateau, however
hot it may be during the day, a gentle cool breeze in the evenings makes it
quite pleasant.Indore gets moderate rainfall of 30 to 35 inches.
Transport : Indore had lacked proper means of public transport for
long. The mini-buses and Tempos are often overcrowded and highly
uncomfortable. However recently the municipal corporation has launched
Indore city bus covering most of the areas in Indore city and vicinity. The
local buses are supposedly the best in India and are equipped with GPS
devices to track them. The seats are arranged in variable level so the
passengers on the back seats have same quality of journey as compared to
passengers on front seats on bumpy roads. Each bus has nicely dressed and
well mannered drivers and conductor who would greet you in English/Hindi.
The bus stops have digital display to show the arrival and departure timings
for various routes from that particular stop.
Culture & Festivals :- Indore today can boast of being a true
cosmopolitan city with multiethnic multilingustic people living in perfect
harmony. The people are highly social & progressive which is why all
cultures from south, north, east & west have mingled in the life of
Indorians. Indore reflects the true spirit of Unity in Diversity.
The mixed culture can be invariably seen in the typical food habits ranging
from South Indian 'Idli-Dosa' 'Vada-Sambhar' to 'Dal-Bafla' typical Malwa
Food.Indore celebrates all National Festivals, Diwali, Holi, Eid-ul-Fitr,
Rakhi, Nag-Panchmi, Ahilya Utsav, Ganesh Utsav, Garba ,Dussehara, New Year's
Eve etc.
| |
| |
HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Indore airport is about 9 kms. west of the city
center, which is connected by regular flights to Bhopal, Gwalior,
Delhi, Bombay, Ahmedabad and Calcutta.
By Rail - Avantika express runs between Indore and Mumbai on
a daily basis. Same way, there are Intercity express and Malwa
Express which runs daily between Delhi and Indore. Also There are
other trains running daily between Indore-Bhopal and other stations.
By Road - The national Highway (Bombay-Agra Road NH3) passes
through Indore and there are daily bus services from Indore to
Bombay, Jaipur, Gwalior, Bhopal etc.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to visit is between September To March.
|
WHAT TO SEE |
|
|
Indore Museum : The Indore museum houses the
finest collection of Parmar sculptures from Hinglajgarh. The Parmar
style originated here and and is characterized by proportionated
figures, carefully and ornately depicted in stone. The museum is also
known for its collection of coins, arms and armours. |
|
|
Meghdoot Upavan :- It is the newest and the
largest of the gardens situated on the outskirts of the city about four
kilometers from Palasia. It has sprawling lawns, lighted fountains,
dancing fountains, landscaped gardens. It has been extensively renovated
in 2000-01. There is an amusement park Mangal Merry Land adjacent to it.
Ice cream parlours, milk parlours, Chaat gali are on the outside. |
|
|
Mahatma Gandhi Hall :- This is one of the
prettiest buildings in Indore. Built in 1904 and originally named as
King Edward Hall was renamed as Mahatma Gandhi Hall in 1948. This
Indo-gothic structure is made in seoni stone and its domes and steeples
are a landmark of Indore city. It has a clock tower in front due to
which it is also known locally as Ghanta Ghar. The central hall has a
capacity for 2000 people and is frequently the venue of book / painting
exhibitions, sales, and fairs throughout the year.
|
|
|
The Holkar Palace (Rajwada) :- It is close to
the Chhatris in the heart of the city. It is a seven storied building
built over two centuries ago. This historic palace of the Holkars is
built in a mixture of Maratha, Mughal and French style. The gopura like
monumental stone and wood structure flanked by bastions and studded with
balconies and windows is a testimony of the past grandeur of the
Holkars. The lower three floors are made of stone and the upper floors
are made of wood which made it very vulnerable to destruction by fire.
Rajwada was burnt three times in its history and the last one in 1984
was the most devastating. The charred rubble of the rear portion has now
given way to a symmetrically laid out garden featuring fountains, an
artificial waterfall and some superb pieces of eleventh century
sculpture.
|
|
|
Kanch Mandir :- Kanch Mandir is a marvel in
glass. This temple was built by the "Cotton King" Sir Hukamchand Seth in
the early 20th century. The walls, ceiling, floor, pillars, doors are
entirely inlaid with glass. The mirror work reflects minute detailing.
There are paintings done in colored glass which depict stories from Jain
scriptures. At the top is a special glass chamber which multiplies the
three statues of Lord Mahavir installed there into an infinite number.
|
|
|
Khajrana :- The citizens of Indore have great
faith in this Ganesh temple built during the reign of Ahilyabai Holkar.
It is believed that all wishes are fulfilled by praying here. Nearby is
the dargah of Nahar Sayed. This is an important pilgrimage place for
Maita Muslims. |
|
|
Gomatgiri : In 1981, the M.P. government donated
a hillock to the Jain Samaj who constructed a 21 feet statue of
Gomateshwar, a replica of the Bahubali statue of Shrawanbegola.
Gomatgiri is approached by a lovely picturesque drive 10 minutes from
the city airport. It also has a guest house, a dharamshala and a
restaurant.
|
|
WHERE TO EAT
Bada Sarafa (Rabri , Gulab Jamoon , Ras Malai, Bhutte ka kis,
moong/gajar halwa, chaat)
56 Shops at Palasia (Samosa , kachori , patis, Icecream, Khaman.
South Indian food)
Gujrat Sweets at Sapna Sangeeta Road
Indian Coffee House (M.G. Road, Bhanwar Kuan,Dental College)
Uttam Bhog ( A.B. Road)
Jain Mithai Bhandar ( Collectorate, 56 shops)
Santooshti ( Near Yashwant Club)
Mathurawala (Chaawni)
TOP
|
|
