Indore got its name from its deity Indreshwar, whose temple is situated in the middle of the city. The temple was built in the 18th century and remains one of the city’s iconic landmarks to date. Indore is warm (literally too!) and a welcoming city that has a lot to explore. The city is growing at a fast pace while managing its traditions, cultures, and history with an amazing blend of modern lifestyles. Indore is a city which has its uniqueness and that attracts a lot of attention from the tourists. If you’ve been thinking of traveling to the city, we have an Indore travel guide that will help you navigate through all the things that the city offers you.
History And Culture Of Indore
Indore was founded by zamindars and indigenous landlords of Malwa who led a very luxurious life. They retained that lifestyle by building and living in luxurious places and had precious possessions of the time. Even when the nation was ruled by the Mughals, the Jagirdar family of Indore retained their ‘Jagir’ rights.
Later in the early 1700s, all of the Deccan Plateau was handed over to the Nizams. This is when the struggles between the Marathas and the Mughals began to affect the locals of the city. Malwa Rao Nandlal Chaudhary was the chief zamindar of Indore who made consistent efforts with the help of his troops to protect the people of Indore from facing any harassment. This conflict grew much stronger to the point where Rao Nandlal Chaudhary brought his people to live in the Fort of Shree Sansthan Bada Rawala which was built to protect them.
In 1733, the Holkar Dynasty got the viceroyalty of Malwa. At this time, the rights of zamindars were revoked and the sole rule was in the hands of Holkars, which continued until the 3rd Anglo-Maratha War. This is when the Holkars were defeated by the British troops and Indore became a part of the British Empire, along with the entire kingdom of Holkars. In 1947, after the independence of India, Indore along with many of the other princely states was merged to become a part of Madhya Bharat, a state of India. Indore was the capital of the state until 1956 when the state was merged with Madhya Pradesh. Talking about the culture of Indore, the city is influenced by the Maratha, Malwa, and the Marwari culture. The cultural heritage of the city can also be peeked through in the architectural remains that are spread across the city limits.
How To Get To Indore
Getting To Indore By Air
Indore, if you didn’t know, is located in the center of India. This has made traveling to the city extremely convenient from the rest of the country. Indore is accessible to travel by air from major metropolitan cities of India like Jaipur, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Raipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Gwalior, Kolkata, and Delhi.
You’ll get flights from all these cities directly connecting to Indore. The Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport or the Indore Airport is merely 8 km away from the city and serves both domestic and international fliers. You can easily get a rental or a prepaid taxi from the airport to travel to the city. You can also take a bus to get to your destination within Indore.
Getting To Indore By Rail
Indore is generally a very accessible city to get to from most major cities. The city has four major railway stations – Rajendra Nagar Railway Station, Indore Junction, Rau Railway Station, and Laxmibai Railway Station. All these stations are well connected with most major cities in India like Mumbai, Vadodara, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur, and Jaipur. You will get trains every week from all of these stations.
Getting To Indore By Road
If you plan on getting to Indore by road, you can take a bus or your ride. The NH3, NH59, and NH59A are some of the highways that run through the city. The Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (MPSRTC) runs buses from neighboring cities. You can get to Indore by road from all major cities like Bhopal, Gwalior, Ujjain, and Sanchi. Most of these places also have regular buses that get you to Indore. This makes traveling to Indore pretty convenient.
Best Time To Visit Indore
Visiting Indore during winters is the most blissful experience. The windy, chilly, and serene atmosphere is beautiful during this time of the year. From the months of October to March, the temperature is anywhere between 8°C – 32°C. This pleasant winter weather is just perfect and comfortable for you to visit the many hot spots within the city. You get to capture the natural beauty of the city and enjoy the gorgeous landscape as well.
You can also choose to visit the city during monsoons when temperatures usually cool down after a few showers. However, Indore does experience rainfall to quite some extent and that could hamper your sightseeing or travel plans. Summers aren’t usually an ideal time to visit Indore as the temperatures are high and the scorching heat is exhausting.
Getting Around Indore
Getting around Indore is convenient as the public transportation system in the city is affordable and efficient. You will get a rickshaw from anywhere in the city to drop you off at your destination. The city is well connected with roads which make traveling easy for you. Besides, you will also get shared taxis from Nagar Seva that connect well with other parts of the city. You also have the MetroBus bus stations across the major areas in Indore.
Breaking Stereotypes About Indore
“Indore is warm all year long.”
Indore is an amazing city to visit to refresh yourself, and your mind, and take a break from your daily busy life. It’s a common misconception that the city is warm all year long, but that is not true. Indore is warm and dry but not during the winters or monsoon. The city experiences pleasant rainfall and experiences a mild winter season as well. The winter season is when the tourists visit the city the most as the weather is pleasant and perfect for enjoying a fun vacation.
Go Check Out
Rajawada
Rajawada is a gigantic 200-year-old palace of the Holkars that depicts the architectural combination of the Maratha, French, and Mughal styles. This beautiful palace is a major tourist attraction and a must-visit in the city. Just walking around the remains of this palace is a very surreal experience. You get to truly experience the beauty and essence of the place when you visit.
Lal Baag Palace
The Lal Baag Palace is the most majestic palace of the Holkars that remains to be among the grandest ones in Indore. Visiting this palace will give you a glimpse into the lifestyle, taste, grandeur, and insights into the lives of the maharajas and maharanis that lived in the palace. Getting a tour guide will help you better understand the history and the significance of the palace.
Khajrana Ganesh Temple
The locals of Indore are devotees of Ganesh and have great faith in the deity. The Khajrana Ganesh Temple is again a historical monument built during the time of the Holkars. It is one of the biggest temples in the city visited by thousands of devotees each month. It is one of the most crowded places in the city but can be worth a visit. The tales say that you get what you wish for in the Temple. So, if there is something you want to wish for, visit the Temple and experience its grandeur for yourself.
Central Museum Of Indore
Central Museum of Indore is one of the prominent tourist attractions of the city. As mentioned earlier, the city has done a fabulous job at retaining its historical and cultural heritage intact. You can see that first-hand in this museum. The museum has a vast collection of the medieval and pre-medieval Hindu and Jain culture and heritage in the forms of sculptures, ornaments, figures, stone depictions, etc.
Summing Up
Indore seamlessly blends its royal heritage with a modern, urban vibe, making it a must-visit destination in India. Plan your trip to Indore and experience its unmatched charm firsthand with our Indore Travel Guide!
FAQs
What Is The Best Time To Visit Indore?
Indore is hot and humid during summers and also experiences quite a lot of rainfall during the monsoon. The weather is pleasant during winters and it is also the best time to visit the city. You get the perfect weather to enjoy all the outdoor activities during the time.
How Far Is Indore Airport From The City?
The Indore Airport is just around 8 km away from the city center. You will take approximately 10 minutes to get to the city with a ride. Driving to and from the airport is convenient for all parts of the city.
Is Indore Worth Visiting?
Indore is undoubtedly one of the best cities to visit in India. It is one of the most developed cities in the country. The historical, architectural, economic, and natural beauty that the city has maintained over the years is impeccable. Besides, it has a long list of beautiful places that you can visit. So, Indore is a city worth visiting.
How Can I Travel In Indore?
Indore is a well-connected city with the rest of the country via air routes, rail routes, and roadways. Getting to the city is the most convenient by rail and is also a very budget-friendly option. There are frequent trains to Indore from the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Pune, etc. Within Indore, you can easily travel by rickshaws, taxi, and city buses.
Which Is A Famous Temple In Indore?
Indore is known for the beautiful temples it has. But one of the most famous ones in the city is the Khajrana Ganesh Temple. It’s the biggest and the most visited temple in Indore.
What Is The Famous Dish Of Indore?
The famous dish to try when in Indore is Bhutte ki kees, Khopra Pattice, Garadu, Batla Kachori, Poha, and Chappan.
Who Is The King Of Indore?
The King of Indore is Holkar Maharaja.
What Is The Old Name Of Indore?
The old name of Indore was Indrapura and it was named by Gupta inscriptions.
