A temple town of Maheshwar holds spiritual importance as it was mentioned in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Situated on the bank of the holy Narmada River, Maheshwar was renowned by the name of Mahishmati in the ancient era. This idyllic town is a treasure trove of spirituality and ancient temples. Maheshwar is located in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh and dotes with the ancient Ghats, temples, and historic buildings. Maheshwar comprises myriads of color in the local streets, brightly painted wooden houses, and overhanging balconies. This beautifully designed city still attracts saints and devotees to their Ghats and temples. Here is the Maheshwar travel guide which will give you a brief about the city. Take a look before planning a Maheshwar tour and you will get all the information here.
It is believed that Lord Shiva worshiped where the River Narmada flows. It has mythological and historical significance as it is assumed that King Sahasrarjun who was a husband of 500 wives had stopped Narmada River with his 1000 arms and make a place where his wives can play. During this period, the Shivalinga was made by Ravana on the riverside. When the king released the river water, the Shivalinga was washed away and that resulted in war between the king and the Ravana. But when the king got the victory, he kept ten lamps on the heads of Ravana and one on his hand. Now, you can see 11 lamps in the Sahasrarjun Temple to keep the event lively.
Maheshwar boasts of numerous Ghats including the Narmada Ghat, Peshwa Ghat, and Ahilya Ghat, which are located on the bank of River Narmada. One can head to these Ghats while in Maheshwar to witness the beauty of the pristine river.
The markets of the city are sure to leave you spellbound too, with the variety of products they have in there. Most of the products in the Maheshwar are from the Handloom sector and is popular for making elegant cotton and silk-blend handloom saris. The Maheshwar Sarees are hand-woven and are a luxury in itself, with beautiful fabrics and patterns.
The best time to visit Maheshwar is during the winter season as the summers receive the heat wave which makes the excursion difficult. Maheshwar experiences moderate rainfall in the monsoon season which can hinder the sightseeing tour.
Indore Airport is the nearest airport and Marwaha railway station is the nearest railhead from the Maheshwar where one can reach easily. One can avail of the taxi or catch the bus from the respective places to reach Maheshwar.
Things to Do and See in Maheshwar
You can explore the riverside temples of Maheshwar including Kaleshwara Temple, Rajarajeshwara Temple, Akhileshwara Temple, and Vithaleshwara Temple, which are popular for the unique drooping galleries and beautifully constructed walls
Visit Maheshwar Fort, a 16th-century fort which houses an archaeological museum displaying antiques and unlike possessions of the Holkar dynasty. The major draw of the fort is the Rani Ahilyabai statue.
The other places to visit in Maheshwar are Narmada Ghat, Ahilyabai Fort and Palace, Rajwada Maheshwar, and many more places in the vicinity where people can go for the sightseeing tour.
Shopping in Maheshwar
The city is famous for delicate cotton and silk textiles. There are plenty of handloom shops that offer woven and designed Silk Sarees which are known as Maheshwari Sarees. You must buy wonderful pieces of textile art from the city during your visit. You can also take souvenirs for your loved ones.