About Indore
Indore, the commercial capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh had a prominent place in the history of Madhya Pradesh. A city with reputed past, it still retains its royal charm of the pre independence era blending with the modernization of the new India. This largest city in the state of Madhya Pradesh is known as Mini Mumbai as it is the commercial capital of the state. The strategic location of Indore attained it a great importance. It was on the route of the most auspicious pilgrimage centers like the Ujjain and Omkareshwar and also on the route of the Marathas of Deccan on their way to North India who were in constant battle with the Mughals. Their army would transit at this place either going down south or in the North. These attracted the traders who in turn were supported by the Holkars. Thus at the confluence of the two Rivers, the Saraswati and the Khan a foundation for town was laid in the early 18th century. A temple of Indreshwar was erected here from whom the town gets its name. Malharrao Holkar was gifted the Indore area by the Peshwas for his valour and courage, thereby making him the ruler of a vast area stretching from the Deccan to the Malwa plateau. Malharrao utilized the opportunity to develop the city and provide all possible facilities for his subjects. Therefore the city is still known as the city of the Holkars. Although the city is known as the city of Holkars, it was Ahilyabai Holkar, the daughter in law of Malharrao who made Indore and important city. Ahilyabai took over the reigns of her kingdom after the death of her father in law. Her husband had died long before and she was trained by her father in law in all the aspects of administration and power. She proved to be one of the best rulers of her time and had the most stable government of the 18th century. Ahilyabai ruled continuously for 27 years and looked in to each matter of her subjects. A religious lady and an able administrator she built and renovated many Hindu religious sites all over India. Although she loved and strived for the betterment of Indore, she herself riled from the fort of Maheshwar on the banks of Narmada near Indore. The power stayed wit the Holkars for quite some years after her but eventually was passed on to the British and Indore went and remained under British rule till 1947. Today true to the vision of the great queen, Indore has come up a long way to become the commercial capital of the state and one of the most developed cities of Madhya Pradesh.Apart from the history of the Holkars, Indore is famous as the birth place of the living legend and singer, Lata Mangeshkar. Another thing Indore is famous for is its snacks. The Bada Sarafa is a culinary delight and is open till late in the night serving all kinds of foods, sweets and snacks. The sarees of Indore are also famous and are bought world around.
Rajwada
A testimony to the past grandeur of the Holkars is the Rajwada or the Holkar Palace, situated right in the heart of the city. Built with a perfect blend of three architectural styles, the Maratha, the Mughal and the French, this palace is more than 200 years old. Today noting but the façade of the palace is only that remains as it has been engulfed by fire three times in history. The seven storied palace was a combination of stone and wooden floors. It is also the only seven storied palace in India.
Lalbagh Palace
One of the best and the most grand monuments gifted by the Holkars to the city of the Indore is the Lalbagh Palace situated on the river Khan. The palace which was started by Tukoji Holkar in 1886 and was completed only in 1921. It was finished in three stages. A wonderful blend of the baroque and renaissance styles, the Lalbagh Palace was one of the most elegant residences of the royalties of India during that period. The whole construction is the reflection of the taste, grandeur and the lifestyle of the Holkars in those days. The interiors are completely based on the colonial style of architecture and therefore the palace was mainly used for parties and other such important functions. The ball room has a wooden floor on springs for that extra bounce. The interiors are decorated with Belgium stained glass and with beautiful carvings of figures and decorations. The main attraction is the main entrance of this palace which is an exact replica of the Buckingham palace of London.
Chhatris
According the tradition of the Maratha rulers, they built cenotaphs in the memory of their dead kings. These Chhatris are the same. Exquisitely designed in spiral mode these cenotaphs are situated on the banks of River Khan. These Chhatris are the best example of the Maratha architecture. There are many such cenotaphs dedicated to the Holkar rulers in Indore.
Kanch Mandir
This Jain temple is an exquisite temple with complete interiors done in glass. The floors, the ceilings, the pillars and also the door knobs are in glass. Built by Seth Hukumchand in the 20th century this temple is a must visit site in Indore. The statue of Lord Mahavira in this temple can be seen 21 times implying the 21 Tirthankaras of the Jain religion.
Khajrana
Khajrana is also a Ganesh temple. Built by Ahilyabai Holkar during her reign, this is the most visited temple as the people believe that their wishes come true after worshipping the deity.
Gomatgiri
A 21 feet statue of the Gomateshwar, a replica of the Bahubali at Shrawanbelagola in Karnataka was built by the Jains in the 1980s. As it is situated on a hillock the name came to be known as the Gomatgiri. Approached by a lovely picturesque drive, there are 24 beautiful marble temples also nearby the site.The other important places to visit in Indore are the Museum and the Bijasen Tekri. The main attraction of the museum are the Parmar sculptures of Hinglajgarh. The Bijasen Tekri is a small hillock with a temple of Bijasen Mata. This place offers a beautiful view of the town of Indore. Indore has many important pilgrimage places around it.
Indore, the commercial capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh had a prominent place in the history of Madhya Pradesh. A city with reputed past, it still retains its royal charm of the pre independence era blending with the modernization of the new India. This largest city in the state of Madhya Pradesh is known as Mini Mumbai as it is the commercial capital of the state. The strategic location of Indore attained it a great importance. It was on the route of the most auspicious pilgrimage centers like the Ujjain and Omkareshwar and also on the route of the Marathas of Deccan on their way to North India who were in constant battle with the Mughals. Their army would transit at this place either going down south or in the North. These attracted the traders who in turn were supported by the Holkars. Thus at the confluence of the two Rivers, the Saraswati and the Khan a foundation for town was laid in the early 18th century. A temple of Indreshwar was erected here from whom the town gets its name. Malharrao Holkar was gifted the Indore area by the Peshwas for his valour and courage, thereby making him the ruler of a vast area stretching from the Deccan to the Malwa plateau. Malharrao utilized the opportunity to develop the city and provide all possible facilities for his subjects. Therefore the city is still known as the city of the Holkars. Although the city is known as the city of Holkars, it was Ahilyabai Holkar, the daughter in law of Malharrao who made Indore and important city. Ahilyabai took over the reigns of her kingdom after the death of her father in law. Her husband had died long before and she was trained by her father in law in all the aspects of administration and power. She proved to be one of the best rulers of her time and had the most stable government of the 18th century. Ahilyabai ruled continuously for 27 years and looked in to each matter of her subjects. A religious lady and an able administrator she built and renovated many Hindu religious sites all over India. Although she loved and strived for the betterment of Indore, she herself riled from the fort of Maheshwar on the banks of Narmada near Indore. The power stayed wit the Holkars for quite some years after her but eventually was passed on to the British and Indore went and remained under British rule till 1947. Today true to the vision of the great queen, Indore has come up a long way to become the commercial capital of the state and one of the most developed cities of Madhya Pradesh.Apart from the history of the Holkars, Indore is famous as the birth place of the living legend and singer, Lata Mangeshkar. Another thing Indore is famous for is its snacks. The Bada Sarafa is a culinary delight and is open till late in the night serving all kinds of foods, sweets and snacks. The sarees of Indore are also famous and are bought world around.
Rajwada
A testimony to the past grandeur of the Holkars is the Rajwada or the Holkar Palace, situated right in the heart of the city. Built with a perfect blend of three architectural styles, the Maratha, the Mughal and the French, this palace is more than 200 years old. Today noting but the façade of the palace is only that remains as it has been engulfed by fire three times in history. The seven storied palace was a combination of stone and wooden floors. It is also the only seven storied palace in India.
Lalbagh Palace
One of the best and the most grand monuments gifted by the Holkars to the city of the Indore is the Lalbagh Palace situated on the river Khan. The palace which was started by Tukoji Holkar in 1886 and was completed only in 1921. It was finished in three stages. A wonderful blend of the baroque and renaissance styles, the Lalbagh Palace was one of the most elegant residences of the royalties of India during that period. The whole construction is the reflection of the taste, grandeur and the lifestyle of the Holkars in those days. The interiors are completely based on the colonial style of architecture and therefore the palace was mainly used for parties and other such important functions. The ball room has a wooden floor on springs for that extra bounce. The interiors are decorated with Belgium stained glass and with beautiful carvings of figures and decorations. The main attraction is the main entrance of this palace which is an exact replica of the Buckingham palace of London.
Chhatris
According the tradition of the Maratha rulers, they built cenotaphs in the memory of their dead kings. These Chhatris are the same. Exquisitely designed in spiral mode these cenotaphs are situated on the banks of River Khan. These Chhatris are the best example of the Maratha architecture. There are many such cenotaphs dedicated to the Holkar rulers in Indore.
Kanch Mandir
This Jain temple is an exquisite temple with complete interiors done in glass. The floors, the ceilings, the pillars and also the door knobs are in glass. Built by Seth Hukumchand in the 20th century this temple is a must visit site in Indore. The statue of Lord Mahavira in this temple can be seen 21 times implying the 21 Tirthankaras of the Jain religion.
Khajrana
Khajrana is also a Ganesh temple. Built by Ahilyabai Holkar during her reign, this is the most visited temple as the people believe that their wishes come true after worshipping the deity.
Gomatgiri
A 21 feet statue of the Gomateshwar, a replica of the Bahubali at Shrawanbelagola in Karnataka was built by the Jains in the 1980s. As it is situated on a hillock the name came to be known as the Gomatgiri. Approached by a lovely picturesque drive, there are 24 beautiful marble temples also nearby the site.The other important places to visit in Indore are the Museum and the Bijasen Tekri. The main attraction of the museum are the Parmar sculptures of Hinglajgarh. The Bijasen Tekri is a small hillock with a temple of Bijasen Mata. This place offers a beautiful view of the town of Indore. Indore has many important pilgrimage places around it.
posted by JAGRITI DWIVEDI at
1:22 AM
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