One
of the most prominent cities of Madhya Pradesh, Indore boasts of an
imperial past. Designed and built by the Holkar queen Rani Ahilya Bai
Holkar; the city is bejeweled with some magnificent monuments belonging
to the Holkar dynasty. The 'Rajwada' and 'Lalbagh Palace' are notable
examples that highlight the royal splendor and propitious lifestyle of
the Holkars. Besides, Indore is one of the most advanced cities of the
state. Its rich variety of edifices, its urban trimmings and its
vicinity to other places of interest makes it a perfect holidaying
getaway. Get to know the various tourist attractions around the place
and explore what excursions from Indore covers.Tourist Places near Indore
Bagh Caves
Located 153 km from Indore, Bagh Caves are a must-visit on the trip to Indore. These Buddhist caves, quarried between the 5th-6th centuries AD, are laudable representations of Indian rock-cut architecture. Out of the original nine caves, only five have survived the atrocities of time and still house murals and frescos by the painters of ancient India. These cave sanctuaries stand majestically amidst the ruins and are popular tourist stopover from Indore and nearby locales.
Patal Pani
At a distance of 36 km from Indore city lays the stunning landscape of Patal Pani. The waterfalls of the spot heighten the beauty of the place and make it a perfect destination on an excursion trip from Indore. Water cascades from a height of 150 ft & plummets into a kund. Till date, the depth of the kund remains unknown. Its depth, believed to reach 'Patal' (nether world), is what gives the place its name.
Omkareshwar
The island of Omkareshwar is positioned en-route Mandu from Indore. Shaped like the sacred Hindu symbol 'OM', this holy isle witnesses the confluence of the Narmada and the Kaveri rivers. It is famous for the 'Omkar Mandhata' temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, which shelters one of the twelve 'jyotirlingas' of India. There are also many other temples scattered around the island, which call many religious tourists here.
Maheshwar
The temple town of Maheshwar lies on the northern bank of the Narmada River and is a 3 hr drive from Indore. It boasts of a number of temples, each of them commemorating a different 'avatar' of Shiva, lending a sanctimonious air to the place. The royal throne (Rajgadi) of Ahilya Bai Holkar, Maheshwar Fort and Sahastradhara are popular tourist attractions of the place. Traditional handicraft, in the form of Maheshwari saris (in cotton and silk), found in the local shops form instant tourist delights.
Mandu
A pleasure trip near Indore remains incomplete without visiting the fort hilltop of Mandu. It is located 99 km from Indore and treasures more than 40 historical forts and monuments. Some of the worth-visiting tourist spots of Mandu include Champa Baoli, Jami Masjid, Jahaz Mahal, Hindola Mahal, Baz Bahadur's Palace, Roopmati's Pavilion and Hoshang Shah's Tomb. An erstwhile monsoon retreat of the Mughals, the fascinating climate of Mandu makes it even more alluring from the recreational point of view.
