A sneak peek into the historic city of Indore!

Hugely popular by the name ‘Mini Mumbai’, the buzzing city of Indore is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in India. It has architecturally significant buildings from different and distinct historical and cultural periods of Maratha, Mughal and British era that gives it an unmatched historical enigma. Another gem dotting the landscape of Indore is the Patalpani waterfalls, a grand 150 feet high waterfall.

This largest city of Madhya Pradesh is famous for its exuberant festivity, historical monuments and rich heritage. For the architecture fanatics, Kanch Mandir is a Jain temple where the walls, ceilings, floors and even paintings are made in glass. In addition, another popular structure that is an excellent example of great architecture is the Town Hall, that was built in 1904. Originally named King Edwards Hall, and thereafter Mahatma Gandhi Hall, the structure is a fine piece of art and architecture. Featuring an Indo-Gothic style, the hall is made of Seoni stone. It consists of four clock towers at the front, and that is why it is also called the Ghanta Ghar. The hall's dome and staples are major landmark of the city. Today, it is a popular venue for several book and painting exhibitions and festivals.

History buffs can head to the famous Lal Bagh Palace, which is one of the grandest monuments of Indore, built by the Holkar dynasty. In addition to that, they can also check out the Rajawada, which is often referred as the "heart of Indore city". It is a grand, over 200 years old structure, which stands today as the mute testimony to the long-gone glory of the Holkar kings and queens. The place is a must visit in Indore tourism, as a trip of the city is simply incomplete if it is not in your "place to visit" list. Featuring an architectural style which is a happy mix of Muslim, French, and Maratha styles, the structure is a seven storey building. The bottom three floors are made of stone, whereas the rest are made of wood. It is because of this fact that the fort is very vulnerable to fire. As a matter of fact, the fort already got burnt three times, and today only the facade remains. However, some recent renovations did brought back some of the lost glory of the beautiful structure. From international brands to local art and craft, Indore seems to have it all. The ever-buzzing market of the city showcases an undeniable charm and makes this city ‘A Shopper’s Paradise’ in real sense.

Known as the ‘Heart of India’, Madhya Pradesh is quite famous for its rich cultural heritage, and Indore will not disappoint you in that aspect. The Central Museum of Indore is also a popular charm among tourists, and it is home to the finest collection of Parmar sculptures from Hinglajgarh. This glorious city is also home to a number of beautiful temples and religious places such as Khajrana Ganesh temple, Annapurna temple, Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and Maa Vaishno Dham.

Whatever your motivation to visit Indore may be, the hotels in Indore are quite known for their quality and efficiency. Top-of-the-line hotels include Sayaji, Radisson, Sarovar Portico and Fortune Landmark. For an ethnic yet classic taste of personal luxury, book yourself in Chokhi Dhani Village. These hotels deliver superior services and luxurious stay options across many budget categories. For the budget travellers, there are a lot of hotels like Ginger, Kalinga, or the Palash Heritage Resort that offer comfortable stay with excellent services at an affordable price.

 If you are a food lover, Indore is surely going to be a paradise for you. From amazing kebabs at Kebabsville to delicious desserts at Simi’s, there is a never-ending list to choose from. If you are here with your special someone, head to Mediterra which is a popular roof-top restaurant by hotel Sayaji.

 

Travelling to Indore is quite convenient due to the high frequency of flights from its Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport. If you are travelling from Mumbai, there are a number of Mumbai to Indore flights on a daily basis. If you book well in advance, you can get an airfare starting around INR 5500. The high number of flights has made it really easy for both business and leisure travellers to visit Indore really conveniently. In addition, the city is also well-connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai,Jaipur, Agra, Nagpur, Howrah, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jammu, and Trivandrum. Khandwa and Ratlam are the two major railway junctions in the city. The Indore Railway Station is located right at the centre of the city. It is an average railway station with elementary amenities, like computerized ticket counter, porters, and sitting areas. Several regular as well as express trains travel through, or to-from the city, connecting it to the rest of the nation.

So whether you are a history buff or a culture vulture or just keen for a religious break, Indore has got it all. Plan a visit to this one of the beautiful cities in India for an unforgettable experience.

Author Bio: Anjali is a travel enthusiast and writes about India travel and tourism industry.  She is currently associated with ixigo, an online travel search engine guide and has written about hotels in Indore. Hope the details provided in the article helps you to plan a trip in Indore city.