Indore

Indore is situated on the Malwa Plateau at an altitude of 553 m above sea level, on the banks of two small rivulets - the Saraswati and the Khan. They unite at the centre of the city where a small 18th-century temple of Sangamnath or Indreshwar exists. The name Indore is due to this deity. It is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh, with a population of over a million, and also the commercial capital of the state. Indore city presents a happy blend of historical past and promises of rapid future modernization.
Indore has witnessed the reign of one of the greatest women in Indian history, Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. Malhar Rao Holkar, the father-in-law of Ahilyabai was bestowed Indrashwar or Indrapur (from which the name Indore was derived) by the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao. Widowed when she was barely out of her teens Rani Ahilyabai took the responsibility of Indore into her own hands and was instrumental in planning and building this city. 14 generations of the Holkar dynasty ruled Indore for 220 years. On 16th June 1948, the Holkar State was officially merged with the Indian republic.
Formerly a major trading centre, the city, along with its satellite townships of Pithampur and Dewas, has established itself as a strong industrial base and the most developed city of Madhya Pradesh. The era of liberalisation has seen Indore at the forefront of a number of privatisation initiatives which include the country's first toll road and private telephone network (Airtel). Traditional industries for which the city is famous, such as those in cotton cloth and bangles, are very much alive.
Indore is also known for its great food.

Climate

Due to its location on the southern edge of the Malwa Plateau, Indore makes an excellent tourist destination. Later in the day, there are cool breezes which make the evenings quite pleasant. Poets have deemed Shab-e-Malwa (the night of Malwa) exquisite beyond compare. The city also has many good tourist spots in its vicinity. Mandav is a city of palaces and lakes very close to Indore.

Indore is well connected by road, rail and air with the Agra-Mumbai highway passing through the city. It is strategically located, being relatively close to Mumbai (593 km) and Delhi (807 km), both of which are connected by daily flights operated by Air India.

By plane

• Devi Ahilyabai Holkar National AirportThe airport is one of the best in India and offers good connectivity from major cities of India.

Indore airport provides free Wifi internet connectivity. The airport has service-desk of all major hotels of Indore wherein you can book a room. The airport is situated 8km away from the main city. To reach city center there are private paid taxis available. Dial (0731) 4288 888 to book a City Cab.

By train

Indore is connected to major indian cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Howrah, Bhopal, Ujjain, Gwalior, Bhind, Jabalpur, Bilaspur, Khandwa, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, Ambala Ct, Jammu, Dehradun and Trivandrum.
The railway station has two sections: Meter Gauge(MG) and Broad Gauge(BG). Khandwa and Ratlam are two major railway junctions that are connected through Meter Gauge. Indore Railway Station, located in city centre, is an average Indian railway station with computerized ticket booking office. Railway Reservation office is near railway station (on meter gauge side).Trolleys are not available on the station, but porters can be hired to help with luggage. Licensed porters wear a red shirt with a metallic arm-band bearing their serial number. Laxmibai Nagar (MG & BG), Rajendra Nagar(MG), Lokmanya Nagar(MG) are Indore city's sub-station.

By road

The national highway NH3(Bombay-Agra Road) and NH59 (Indore-Ahmedabad Road) passes through Indore and there are daily bus services from Indore to Mumbai, Jaipur, Gwalior, Bhopal etc. Some of the bus services are Royal Travels, Hans and City Link Travels. State owned transport service is not in good shape to cater current need and should be avoided.

There are numerous rental car/travel companies in the city, where can you can get cars according to KM or fixed rate basis. Ask for packages for both the cabs, if you are planning to go around for long time. A/C charges are extra. Auto Rickshaws-Available everywhere.
At Nagar Seva, there are cheaper shared transportation (Maruti Vans) that runs throughout the city, MetroBus Bus stations are also located in almost all major areas. The government is planning to start metro train and a tram in indore so that the traffic loads on roads get down to some level as the city faces traffic jams in every corner. if every thing goes as per plan indore's name will shine on top among metros in the country.

• Star CabsThe Cheapest cabs, usually Hyundai Santro's

• Metro TaxiBit more expensive than star cab ,but has better cars (Maruti sx4)

Indore has many good places to see ranging from shopping malls, to historical and cultures spots. The city's rich heritage and culture is reflected through the beautifully built palaces and temples.

• Annapurna TempleIt is a famous temple of the goddess of food. The name of the temple Annapurna it self means "anna" which literally means food. The people in town have great faith in the temple. The temple is made with beautiful colorful work done at the entrance gate.

• Bada GanpatiBetter known for its size than antiquity, this temple houses perhaps the largest Ganesh idol in the world measuring 25 feet from crown to foot. Created as a result of the dream of an Avantika (Ujjain) resident, Shri Dadhich, it was built in 1875.

• Bapna StatueRight across from the famous MY Hospital in Indore, in the Jaora Compound Area, is the statue of Rai Bahadur Sir Siremal Bapna, the legendary Prime Minister of Holkar State during the reign of HH Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar. He is credited with bringing Indore into the modern age and he was an able and honest administrator, a great social reformer, a great philanthropist and a modern day saint.

• Central MuseumThe Indore Museum houses the finest collection of Parmar sculptures from Hinglajgarh. The Parmar style originated here, and is characterized by proportioned figures, carefully and ornately depicted in stone. The museum is also known for its collection of coins, arms and armor.

• ChhatrisChhatris are the tombs or cenotaphs erected in memory of dead Holkar rulers and their family members. The Chhatris picturesquely poised on the Khan river banks near Rajawada are incomparable in terms of Maratha architecture and sculpture of their period. At Chhatri Baag is the main collection of tombs housed in two compounds. Close by is the beautiful Bolia Sarkar's Chhatri constructed in 1858 AD in memory of Sardar Chimnaji Appa Sahib Bolia.

• Geeta BhawanOne of the most famous temples in the city. Located near the heart of town (Palasia). You can find idols of almost all gods and goddesses and the peace found here is unique.

• GomatgiriOn the hill 10-12 km away from the heart of the city, the Jain Samaj has constructed a 21 feet statue of Lord Gomateshwar, a replica of the Bahubali statue of Shravanbelagola. Also built here are 24 marble temples with shilars for each tirthankar. This place offers a breathtaking view of Indore city by night.

• Kanch MandirThis Jain temple is an architectural marvel in glass. The walls, ceilings, floors, pillars and door knobs are entirely inlaid with glass. Even paintings are done in glass. Atop is a special glass chamber which multiplies the three statues of Lord Shantinath,Aadinath & Mahavira installed there into an indefinite number (said to be visible up to 24 times, corresponding to the 24 tirthankaras).

• Khajrana Ganesh TempleThe citizens of Indore have great faith in this Ganesh temple, built during the reign of Ahilyabai Holkar. It is believed that all wishes are fulfilled by praying here. Nearby is the dargah of Nahar Sayed. This is an important pilgrimage place for Maita Muslims.

• Lal Baag PalaceOne of the grandest monuments the Holkar dynasty left Indore. A reflection of their taste, grandeur and lifestyle, its construction began in 1886 under Tukoji Rao Holkar II, and was carried out in three phases. The final phase was completed in 1921 under Tukoji Rao Holkar III. Many royal receptions were held here. It has a total area of 28 hectares, and at one time it had the reputation of having one of the best rose gardens in the country.

• RajawadaSynonymous with the heart of Indore city, it stands today as a mute witness to the bygone splendor of the Holkar rulers. This 200 year old seven-storey historic palace of the Holkars is built in a mixture of Muslim, Maratha and French styles. The lower three floors are made of stone and the upper floors are made of wood, which made it very vulnerable to destruction by fire. Rajwada was burnt three times in its history; the last fire in 1984 took the greatest toll. Today only the front facade remains. Recent renovations have recreated some of the old glory of this beautiful palace.

• Ravindra Natay Grah

  address: RNT MARG
  This is one of the examples of a complete makeover. Few years back it was an old and not so good auditorium. After some years it was decide to renovate it with public private partnership. it was then done complete makeover and now it is one of the best auditorium in town with many modern facilities.

• Sapna- Sangeeta RoadIt is another very famous and one of the busiest road in the town. Many national and international brand stores are present here. the road which is officially named after great Shri Agrasen Maharaj is popularly known after one of the best multiplex sanpna sangeeta which in earlier days was a single screen theatre having two theatres, is now a multiplex with three screens of inox. the road is the busiest one and addresses many local national and international brands

• Sirpur LakeThe lake hosts the habitats for major migratory bird species. The natural beauty of the lake and scenic view is hard to forget. the government has decided to develop a garden near to lake.

• Town HallBuilt in 1904 and originally named King Edwards Hall, it was renamed Mahatma Gandhi Hall in 1948. Its architectural style is Indo-Gothic. Made in Seoni stone, its domes and staples are a landmark of Indore today. It has a four-faced clock tower in front, because of which it is locally known as Ghanta Ghar. It is frequently the venue for the various book and painting exhibitions, fairs and festivals held throughout the year. The building also has a library, a children's park and a temple.

• Vaishnav DhaamIt is a famous temple of the goddess. It is beautifully constructed in white and is located away from the city traffic. The idols here are very beautiful to see.

• Venkatesh Temple

  address: 36, Chattribagh
  Where India's third largest and largest Rath-yatra procession is carried and thousands of people participate in that and temple was built 50 yrs before in mid of Indore city by Nagoriya Pithdishwar

• Meghdoot Uapvan

  address: Vijay Nagar
  It is a huge garden with a fountain show and many kinds of plants and flowers are planted here. It makes you near to nature within the city itself and lovely point for couples.

• Nakhrali Dhani Water Park

  address: Rau
  A one of its kind Rajasthani Village-themed park become amusement park and restaurant. This is an exclusive park in Indore which lets you enter into the world of a Rajathani village.

• Regional Park

  address: Pipliapala Lake
  The most beautiful park in town right now. it is developed by Indore development authority (IDA)on the banks of ancient pipliyapala lake. The park has been developed beautifully with estimated cost of ₹70 crores. The amazing light work in night and various new species of plants make it most attractive. The park is divided in four parts, the lake havingbeen renewed and fitted with five jet-fountains which in night create a beautiful atmosphere with there light-effects. Plans are in pipeline to start boating in the pond, a food court and children play zone. Recently water sports have been started in the lake. Its a must visit spot when you are in Indore.
• # Mughal garden
• # French garden
• # Open air amphi-theatre
• # artistic village area

• Shell City Water Park

  address: khandwa road
  another famous water cum amusement park in the outskirts of the busy town. a newly constructed park which offers wide range of entertainment

Thanks to the rich black soil of the Malwa Plateau, Indore has prospered into being the fourth largest centre of cotton textile industry in India. Indore is also known for its leather toys and Maheshwari & Chanderi are some very interesting ornate sarees and brocades to offer. There is a lot of sari work comes out of Madhya Pradesh, and the Maheshwari sarees have particularly gained in popularity of late. Besides the fabrics, there is a variety of local carving crafts to choose from, and the city is also justly famous for its beautiful bangles. Most of markets in Indore remain closed on Sunday.
Some places to pick Maheshwari sarees and handicrafts:

• Malhar Mega Mall

  address: Adjacent to C-21 Mall
  Its another new mall recently inaugrated. it has many new brand stores and new sources of entertainment. stores like Globus, FI, Ray-Ban easy day are exclusively only here... Famous food establishment KFC is also located here along with McDonald's new outlet and Kulraj Broadway Theatres.
• Mrignayni Showroom: Behind Gujarati Girl's college, it is a MP government's exclusive handicraft store.
• MT Cloth Market: for Clothings specially in wholesale
• Sitlamata Bazar: for retail clothings and sarees
• Treasure Island: The Biggest shopping mall where you get each and every thing in effective price.

• Veggie Online

  phone: +91-7566666927
  address: 4 , Nemi Nagar extn. , Jain Colony , RTO Road , Indore -452001
  Buy vegetables , fruits , exotic vegetables , milk products , hand made chocolates online in Indore city.

Malls

• Apollo Towers

  address: M.G Road
  Good bargain shopping, lots of shops.

• C 21 Mall

  address: A.B Road
  Another Good Mall on AB Road having exclusive shops of many international brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Madame,etc and Indian brands like Fida, Ritu wears' Biglife. It also accommodates Satyam Cineplex, CCD, and a 4D theatre named Storm.

• Central Mall

  address: R.N.T Marg
  Good mall with a big bazaar, INOX Movie plex, food court and many leading brands.

• Malhar Mega Mall

  address: A.B Road
  All kinds of clothes at cheap prices. Broadway Multiplex.

• Mangal City Mall

  address: A.B Road
  Many stores of famous brands, a good food court, large cinemas, great ice-golas etc.

• Orbit Mall

  address: A.B Road
  Some local shops along with some shops of international brands.

• Pakeeza

  address: A.B Road, M.G Road, MT Cloth Market
  All kinds of jewellery and clothes at cheap prices. The biggest shop is at A.B Road.

• Treasure Island

  address: MG Road
  Is a large mall. The highlights of Treasure Island are MAX, PVR, McDonalds, and Pizza Hutall first in MP. MAX Retail, a division of Lifestyle International is the most famous fashion retail destination in the city. The USP of the store is its wide range of fashionable offering at a cost which suits everyone's pocket,specially youth. This store is also famous for being the 1st retail store in India by the renowned Landmark group. Treasure Island is comparable to the malls found in Noida and Gurgaon. Equipped with state of the art escalators and housed by showrooms of all leading brands, it's the best hangout in Indore (and most probably in the whole MP). It also has two Baristas (coffee shop) and a Rajdhani (a thali (buffet) restaurant). For the people of indore the treasure island is like a tourist spot... and you will normally find people hanging around.

Jewellery

The biggest market for the jewellery is the Sarafa Market.
Other stores include

• DDamas- Jhanjhir wala chauraha
• DP Jewellers from Ratlam-Y.N Road
• Interstar-Diamond Jewellery- Near 56 shop
• Jaipur Jewellers-M.G Road
• Punjab Jewellers- M.G Road
• Rajat Gems- Gold, Diamonds, Silver Articles - City Center, M.G. Road
• Tanishq-M.G Road
• TBZ(Tribhuvan Das Bhimji)-M.G Road

The usual breakfast consists of kachories , samosas and pohas, and then there are sweets such as jalebies,imarties,gulab jamuns, malpuas, kaju katli and rabdi. One must also not miss baked (bina tala) samosas/patties, bana hua style, all over the city, mostly available at Saanchi Milk Parlours.

• Apna Sweets

  phone: +91 7611106915
  address: Vijaynagar Indore

• CelebrationA self-service food joint offering fusion Chinese food, bakery items, chaats, chole kulche, etc., favoured by young single people and families.

• Celeberity

  address: A.B Road
  Has the best North Indian food tasty buffet in town,good entrees and great coffee shop.

• Chappan DukaanIt has 56 shops, where you can get different types of food. Must try's include; Madhuram Sweets- Shikanji, Dry fruit Paan,Jain Sweets-Jalebi,Jhonnys-Hot Dog,Young Tarang-Poha morning hours and many chat and delicacies.

• The Chocolate Room

• Chokhi DhaniGood Rajasthani food and entertainment,but smaller than Nakhrali Dhani.

• City CentreGreat South Indian Food.

• Crown Palace

  address: Kanchan Bagh
  Has great buffet, good coffee Shop and good rooftop Restaurant.

• Guru KripaFamous restaurant in the city.

• HakeemIt's a great non-veg family restaurant. Speciality is Tawa Gosht and Mughlai Biryaan.

• Indian Coffee House

  address: M. G. Road

• Indigo Food Junction

  address: A.B Road

• Little ItalyAuthentic vegetarian Italian cuisine offers delectable Italian and Mexican food.

• Nafees Cakes

  phone: +91 731 645 7533
  address: 30-B Apollo Ave, Greater Kailash Rd, New Palasia
  Bakery and non-veg restaurant.

• Nakhrali DhaniRajasthani food and entertainment.

• Pishori Dhaba

  address: 3-A, Eastern Ring Rd, Nanak Nagar
  Punjabi/North Indian

• RajdhaniRajdhani offers Gujarati Thali. A family restaurant.

• Ravi's KachoriThe Best place in town for Aloo Kachori, Fariyali Kachoris etc.

• Red Maple

• Sandwich BarGreat sandwiches and Pav Bhaji (located in T.I Mall and Central Mall)

• Sapna SandwichMany Branch- all over city.

• SarafaIt has Indore specialities like sabudana khichri (best in the country), aloo tikiya, and others like pav bhaji, dosas, samosas. Savuory sweets like jalebi, malpua, rabdi, gulab jamun like you have never tasted before. Items not to miss: Malpuvas, Jalebas (Big jalebis), Garadu(Winter only), Dahi-Vada,Sabudana Khichhdi, Chhole Tikiya, Shikanji, Bhutte ka kiss.

• SayajiHas the good morning breakfast buffet. Its Kebabsville Restaurant has good food has great restaurants and food.

• ShreemayaOne of the oldest hotels of the city, offers good food in its restaurant . Although the staff is not so friendly, the food here is amazing and makes up for it.

• The Groundbaking Company

  phone: +91 731 491 2718
  address: 293-BG, Scheme no. 54, Vijay Nagar
  New York style pizza, milkshakes, and deserts.

• Veg Bites

  address: T.I.Mall, Inox Central Mall
  Great vegetarian food from world over.

• Vidorra

  phone: +91 731 4222801
  address: 1001, Rooftop, Shekhar Central, Palasia Square, New Palasia
  Rooftop restaurant and bar

• Taste of Malwa

  phone: +91 700 064 5618
  address: 408, Gopalam Apartment, Lalaram Nagar Indore(M.P.)
  A variety of authentic Indori Gajak, sweets and Namkeens.

• 02 Disc n' Lounge

  address: Near Bombay Hospital Vijaynagar
• Blue Ice-At Orbit Mall
• Chasers-At Centrall Mall
• The Drink-At T.I Mall
• Hotel Kanchan Tilak
• Hotel Radisson
• Lava Tittos Bhawarkua Indore
• Level 3-At Mangal City Mall
• Nakhrali Dhani
• On The Rocks Velocity Indore
• Quorum-At Sayaji Hotel
• Sarovar Portico

• Sayaji Hotel

  phone: +91-731-4006666
  address: H/1, Scheme No. 54, Vijay Nagar
• Sheesha Sky Lounge C-21 Mall Indore

• Trance The Pub

  address: 3A, PU3, Gemini Mall, AB Road
  Good range of cocktails and mocktails. The pub is never empty though could do with a renovation.
• The Sports Bar-T.I Mall
• Yeshwant Club

The good hotels in Indore are:

• Hotel Fortune Landmark

  phone: +91-731-2557700

• Sayaji Hotel

  phone: +91-731-4006666
  address: H/1, Scheme No. 54, Vijay Nagar

• Hotel Infiniti

  phone: +91-731-2559514
  address: Ring Road

• Hotel President

  phone: +91-731-2528866
  address: 163, R.N.T. Marg

• Hotel Shreemaya

• Hotel Amar Vilas

• Hotel Amaltas International

  address: A-B Road

• Hotel Princes' Palace

  address: 8- A- 1, South Tukoganj

• Hotel Fun Plaza

• Hotel Crown Palace

  phone: +91-0731-2528855
  address: Kanchanbaug

These have good restaurants also and your stay will be comfortable.

• Lemon Tree Hotel, Indore

  phone: +91 731 4423232
  address: 3, R.N.T. Road, Indore 452001, Madhya Pradesh
  The centrally air conditioned atrium hotel offers 100 rooms and suites, business center, a banquets and meeting center, a multi-cuisine coffee shop - Citrus Café (18 hours), a hip recreation bar – Slounge, an Indian speciality restaurant - Kebaberie as well as a fitness centre to keep you feeling fresh-as-a-lemon.

• Hotel Radisson Blu

  address: Ring Road
  Best Hotel in Indore

• Ginger Hotel

  address: A. B. Road
  Budget hotel from Tata Group (who owns Taj Hotels)

Indore is a safe place to stay. Like other big cities, it does not have safety issues generally even at late hours. You can find the roads full of people even at 11 o'clock in the night.
It is safe even for girls. Though some parts of the cities are isolated after 8pm so will have to make sure you don't go alone in these areas as safety maybe an issue.
General safety measures need to be used. But in areas like MG Road, Palasia, Y.N. Road it is crowded and safe till 11pm.

• Bhaira Kund - Another interesting place near Gidya Khoh Watefall and Kal Bhairav Temple, there is a large pool/kund of water choral
• Dewas, around 35 km from Indore on national highway 3 (NH3).
• Gidya Khoh - this waterfall is a beautiful combination of man and nature, situated on the Indore-Nemawar road and 9 km away from Double Chowki
• Kajligarh (15 Km) - see Fort Kajligarh
• Maheshwar (90 km) - Fort of Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar. Also beautiful temples.
• Mandav - Around 100 km from Indore is a good weekend getaway. See Jahaz Mahal, Rani Roopmati Mahal, Baj Bahadur Mahal
• Omkareshwar (90 km on the Khandwa road) - One of the 12 Jyotirling
• Patalpani and Kalakund (35 km by Train)
• Tinchha Falls (15 km) - on Simrol-Udainagar Road
• Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (60 km) - One of the 12 Jyotirlings (famous Hindu temple)
• Hanuwantiya - Water activities and weekend destination beside the grand Indira Sagar Lake.