Ishan Pathak
Located at the southern edge of the Malwa plateau, Indore served as the capital of the erstwhile Holkar principality. Now the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, it has retained its history and culture.
One of the city’s prime attractions is Rajwada. Located in the heart of Indore, this unique seven-storied palace, built in 1766, has a blend of Mughal and Maratha architecture. The palace has a temple and a small museum, showcasing the antiquities of the Holkar dynasty. The lower three stories are made of stone and the upper of wood, which made the palace vulnerable to fire accidents. The palace has been gutted thrice, the last time in 1984, and was renovated by the Holkar family, using the original blueprint. Rajwada has stood the test of time audaciously and still gives a glimpse of the city’s prosperous past.
Lal Baag Palace is arguably one of the best examples of lavish residences in central India, the beauty of this palace is bound to leave one awestruck. Construction began in 1886 and was completed in 1921 under Tukoji Rao Holkar III. Italian marble columns, a choicest collection of Roman paintings, grand chandeliers, Persian carpets, Belgian stained glass windows and stuffed game trophies of tigers and leopards give a hint of the lavishness that once was the hallmark of this palace. Indian lifestyles were also taken into consideration as the palace has a separate Indian-style dining room and bathroom.
The Lal Bagh Palace was the residence of the Holkars till 1978. It is now open to the general public. Photography is prohibited inside the palace.
Indore has its fair share of historic temples, the Khajrana Temple being one of them. Built in 1735 by the austere and spiritually inclined queen Ahilyabai Holkar, it is one of the oldest temples of Indore. The eyes of the deity here are said to be made of diamonds, and the ceiling is silver-plated.
The other major temples are Kaanch Mandir (Glass Temple), Bada Ganapati Temple (which houses one of the largest statues of Lord Ganesha, 25 feet in height), Annapurna Temple and Gommat Giri Temple.
If there’s food for the soul in Indore, there is also food for the body. Sarafa is a food haven that opens at 8 pm and closes at 4 am. The place boasts of a variety of authentic Indian street food, especially catering to one’s sweet tooth. Another intriguing food market is the Chhappan Dukaan, a group of 56 small shops, selling a range of fabulous food. These spots are most certainly to be visited by the foodie.
Indore has easy connectivity, rich cultural integrity and culinary diversity that are draws for the tourist. Other places of interest in Indore include the Central museum, the Zoo and Town Hall. Attractions nearby include Ujjain, Mandu, Maheshwar and Omkareshwar. Indore is well connected by air to all the metros and to all major cities by rail. The best season to visit is from November to March.
The writer is a doctor and a travel enthusiast
