The largest city in Madhya Pradesh was planned and built by famous queen Rani Ahilyabai. Indore lies extreme of western Madhya Pradesh on the banks of twin rivers Saraswati and Khan. The city is 186km from Bhopal and named after centuries old Indreshwar Temple. Indore was founded by Malhar Rao Holkar, who was born in 1693 AD. His bravery brought recognition in the eyes of Peshwas and thus rewarded with the gift of lands. Malhar Rao was succeeded by his grandson and after his death, Maharani Ahilya Bai ascended the throne.



Although Bhopal is the capiltal of Madhya Pradesh but Indore is considered as the commercial capital of the state. The city has historic importance plus a bustling modern city with all conceivable facilities. The city has grown up into a major educational eden. The city beckons thousands of travelers from every part of the world every year to see the historical relics. Indore is known as a 'textile city' for its flourishing garment industry. The outlook of the city is a strange impregnation of historic and contemporary life and culture. Indore eatery is famous all over India, there are numerous small shops lined up in the streets along with large showrooms and retail stores.

Sights And Activities

Lal Bagh
The finest of all monuments left by Holkar dynasty. The gates are strangely resemblance with Buckingham Palace and leads to 28 hectare garden, where there is a statue of Queen Victoria. The palace is made in a European style, where rooms are dominated by European style of architecture with baroque and rococo dining rooms, an English library with leather arm chairs, a Renaissance sitting room with ripped sofas and a Palladian queen's bedroom.

Central Museum
It is located on AB Rd, which was built by Holkar dynasty. It houses some of Madhya Pradesh best collections of medieval and pre-medieval Hindu sculptures, along with tools, weaponry and copper engraved land titles. Skirmishes took place here during the Indian uprising - the well in the garden was poisoned during the struggle.
Bada Ganapati
The temple is a great tourist attraction, built in the year 1875, renowned for magnificent statue of Lord Ganesha ( elephant God in Hindu mythology). The statue of Lord Ganesh is the biggest Ganesh statue in the world. The statue is of towering height of 25 feet and made up of bricks, lime stone, jaggery mix, soil collected from Mokshapuri( towns of salvation), powder of five atnas and water from holy rivers. It is covered with metallic frame made up of gold, silver, copper, iron and brass. It is undoubtedly one of the spectacular idols in India.

Kanch Mandir (glass temple)
It is a medieval Jain temple entirely decorated with glass. Glasses are embellished with some exquisite paintings. The temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavira whose statues are preserved in a glass chamber.

Shopping
Mrignayani is the best emporium to buy some Indore's unique collections. The two floors are crammed with handicrafts from a cross the state including leather toy animals. There are also small ubiquitous shops in the market place where you can shop some attractive souvenir.