Two Days in Indore: A Journey Through Culture and History

  1. Day 1: Central Indore
    8:00am - Start at Rajwada Palace (15 mins walk from Indore Junction Railway Station)

    The Rajwada Palace is a stunning seven-storied structure built by the Holkars in 1747. The Palace is a blend of Mughal, Maratha, and French style architecture and served as the residence of the Holkar rulers of Indore. After exploring the palace, head to the nearby Lal Baag Palace which is a magnificent 19th-century palace turned museum displaying artifacts dating back to the Holkar era.

    10:30am - Travel to Kanch Mandir (15 mins by car)

    The Kanch Mandir, also known as Glass Temple, is a Jain temple made entirely of glass, mirrors, and colorful tiles. It was built in the early 20th century by Sir Seth Hukumchand Jain, a prominent businessman, and philanthropist. The intricate glasswork and artwork inside the temple are a sight to behold.

    12:00pm - Lunch at Sarafa Bazaar (10 mins walk from Kanch Mandir)

    Sarafa Bazaar is a famous street food destination in Indore, especially known for its chaats and sweets. The market comes alive at night with street vendors selling a variety of food items.

    2:00pm - Visit Annapurna Mandir (20 mins drive from Sarafa Bazaar)

    The Annapurna Mandir is a beautiful temple dedicated to the goddess of food, Annapurna Devi. The temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century and is popular among devotees and tourists alike.

    4:00pm - Watch the sunset from Indore White Church (30 mins drive from Annapurna Mandir)

    The Indore White Church or St. Anne's Church is a colonial-era church built in 1858. The architecture of the church is an amalgamation of neo-gothic and Victorian styles and is worth seeing at sunset.

  2. Day 2: Temples and Forts
    8:00am - Start at Bada Ganpati Temple (20 mins drive from Indore Junction Railway Station)

    The Bada Ganpati Temple is one of the most revered temples in Indore and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple's iconic statue of Lord Ganesha is said to be the largest in the world, measuring almost 25 feet from crown to foot.

    10:00am - Explore Gomatgiri (30 mins drive from Bada Ganpati Temple)

    Gomatgiri is a Jain pilgrimage site located on an artificial hill. The site has a 21 feet replica of Mt. Kailash and has 24 marble temples representing the 24 Jain Tirthankaras. The panoramic view from the hilltop is breathtaking.

    12:00pm - Lunch at Roadside Dhaba near Mahakaleshwar Temple (15 mins drive from Gomatgiri)

    Savor the local cuisine at one of the roadside dhabas near the Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the most visited shrines in Madhya Pradesh.

    2:00pm - Visit the Maheshwar Fort (1.5-hour drive from the roadside dhaba)

    The Maheshwar Fort is a historical fort on the banks of river Narmada in Maheshwar. The fort was built in the 18th century by Ahilyabai Holkar, the queen of Indore. After exploring the fort, head to the nearby Maheshwar Ghat, which is a popular tourist spot and offers a mesmerizing view of the Narmada River.

    5:00pm - End the day at Chhatri Bagh (1-hour drive from Maheshwar Ghat)

    The Chhatri Bagh or the cenotaphs of Holkar rulers is a beautiful spread of royal tombs situated on the banks of Khan River. The intricately carved cenotaphs are a tribute to the architectural marvels of the Holkar dynasty.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Rajwada Palace (1-2 hours, INR 10-50)
  • Lal Baag Palace (1-2 hours, INR 20-100)
  • Kanch Mandir (30 mins - 1 hour, INR 10-20)
  • Sarafa Bazaar (1-2 hours, INR 100-300)
  • Annapurna Mandir (30 mins - 1 hour, Free)
  • Indore White Church (30 mins - 1 hour, Free)
  • Bada Ganpati Temple (30 mins - 1 hour, Free)
  • Gomatgiri (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Roadside Dhaba near Mahakaleshwar Temple (1-2 hours, INR 100-200)
  • Maheshwar Fort (1-2 hours, INR 20-100)
  • Maheshwar Ghat (30 mins - 1 hour, Free)
  • Chhatri Bagh (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 260-940

Useful Tips

If you have an extra day in Indore, consider visiting the Tincha Falls, which is located 25 km away from the city or exploring the Mandu fort, which is about 95 km from Indore.

If you have less than two days, consider skipping any location or shortening your visits to better fit your schedule.

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