Indore is named after Indreshwar Mahadev Temple where, it is said, Lord Indra, himself meditated and urged Swami Indra Puri to build the holy temple. The temple was later modernized by Tukoji Rao Holkar.
Apart from the historical monuments which are picturesquely placed on the river banks, the city is also blessed with serene lakes and some stunning landscapes. The buildings showcase the diverse architecture of the various dynasties that occupied the city like Marathas, Mughals, the French and the British. The pretty mix of religious temples and magnificent palaces, lure the traveler and a typical Indore tour package would span 3 nights and 4 days.
The majority of monuments depict the grandeur of the Holkar era that lasted from 1733 to 1818. The Rajwada Palace, Lalbagh Palace, Sukh Niwas Palace, the Gommatgiri Jain temple, the Annapurna temple as well as the art and crafts of the local people are evidence of the bygone era. Indore trips are incomplete without a little shopping in the local market for Bandhej, tie and dye and batik on jute, silk and various other fabrics.
A good time to visit Indore would be between October and March when the climate is pleasant and cool. Perhaps a sweater or shawl would be a good idea for the nights are pretty cold in winter. The Rang Panchami festival celebrated in March is a colorful time to visit when the locals decorate the whole city and have a gala celebration. Transport is pretty good in this well-developed city with AC and non AC buses plying on the well-laid roads. A separate central track for buses makes sure the traffic flows continuously. The i-buses are a part of the rapid transit system for quick non-stop transfers.
Among the famous monuments that the Indore Tour Packages include, is the Rajwada Palace which was built by Malhar Rao Holkar in the 18th Century. This 7 story structure is situated in the Kajuri market area with the main square in front. At its entrance is a beautiful garden with the famous statue of Queen Ahilya Bai, in whose name the city’s airport is also named. There are also beautiful artificial waterfalls and fountains in the garden. This is the older part of the palace and the newer section is situated in the North of the city.
Lalbagh Palace is another grand palace built in a complex spanning around 28 acres about 3 Km from the city with the River Khan flowing by. The rose gardens of the palace are easily the best in India and the building stands as an icon of Holkar grandeur. While the construction was initiated by Tukoji Rao Holkar in 1886, it was completed 35 years later in 1921 by Tukoji Rao Holkar II and remained the Holkar residence till 1978 after which it was converted into a museum. During the Indore tour package, you will be able to witness the blend of Italian marble columns, enormous chandeliers, lovely Persian carpets, stained glass windows from Belgium and gilded cherubs on the ceiling giving the whole interior a royal atmosphere.
The Indore Museum is a must-visit as it houses some exceptional artifacts of Jain and Hindu figures dating from the pre-medieval and also medieval era. The Parma sculptures are considered the finest collection of the Gupta period.
The Annapurna temple is a typical Hindu temple with South Indian style Gopuram or stupa at the entrance. The elegantly carved gates are born by beautifully ornamented elephants. The whole temple bears sculptures of various deities and stories from the epics. The main deity Maa Annapurna is the food giver and devotees flock to the temple on all the prayer times.
Similarly, the Gommatgiri Jain temple upon a hill is a Jain holy shrine of the Sri. Digambar. There is a 21-foot tall statue of Bahubali within the temple precincts. For those interested in nature, Raja Mandal Wildlife Sanctuary and Pipliyapala Regional Park are a nature lover’s paradise with rolling hills and beautiful valleys.
Choose among our various Indore tour packages and visit this 500-year-old city and take home some lovely memories of a city with a royal past.