Indore is a 400 year old city located on Malwa Plateau in the state of Madhya Pradesh (M.P.), almost in the centre of India. It is known as the commercial capital of M.P. and is also the largest education, fashion and medical centre in the state. About 50000 students come to Indore form surrounding towns and villages, other parts of India, as well as other countries to complete their education. The city has a rich heritage of Art and culture.
Indore has been touted as the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh. Formerly a major trading centre, the city, along with its satellite townships of Pithampur and Dewas, has established itself as a strong industrial base. The era of liberalization has seen Indore at the forefront of a number of privatization initiatives which include the country's first toll road and private telephone network. In the midst of such vibrant industrial activity, the city maintains its link with its glorious past. 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.
Indore is well connected by road, rail and air with the Agra-Mumbai highway passing through the city. It is strategically located, being in close proximity to Mumbai (593 kms.) and Delhi (807 kms.) both of which are connected by daily flights operated by Air India, IndiGo, Spice Jet Jet Airways and Indian Airlines. I
ndore is 1st City in India having a Private Air Taxi services.
Location : 22.42* N 75.54* E
Altitude : 553 meter ASL
Area : 3898 KM2
Population : App. 2.5 million
Time Zone : IST (UTC+5.30)
Industries
With large number of Information Technology, Textiles, Auto, Agriculture, Processing and Pharmaceutical Industries in the satellite towns of Dewas and Pithampur, Indore is the largest industrial centre of the State, offering not only good industrial training facility but job opportunities as well.
Transportations
In the addition to the public transport of city buses and three wheelers, there is a high density of four wheeler and two wheeler owner driven vehicles. Daily train service is available for going to any corner of the country. With morning and evening and flights for Mumbai and Delhi, the city is connected to every part of the world. City is soon going to have an international airport as well.
Site Seeing Indore
Rajwada : Synonymous 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 Holkar 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.
Lal Baag Palace : Lal Baag Palace is one 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.
Bada Ganpati : Better 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.
Kanch Mandir : This 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 Mahavira installed there into an indefinite number (said to be visible up to 21 times, corresponding to the 21 tirthankaras).
Town Hall : Made 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.
Central Museum : The 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 armour.
Chhatris : Chhatris 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 Rajwada are incomparable in terms of Maratha architecture and sculpture of their period. 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.
Annapurna : This temple was inspired by the Meenakshi temple of Madurai. Four life-sized elephants hold an ornately decorated gate in plaster. Inside the temple of Annapurna Devi are also temples of Shiva, Kal Bhairava, Hanuman and a Pravachan Hall. The outer wall of the main temple is decorated with colourful motifs from mythological stories.
Khajrana Ganesh Temple : The 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.
Bijasen Tekri : A 2 minutes drive from the airport leads you to a hillock on which was perched a guest house of the Holkars, now converted into Border Security Arms Museum, as well as a small temple of Bijasen Mata, built in 1920, which has a magnificent view of the sunset. A mela (fair) is held during the Navratri. A good picnic spot, with a breathtaking view of Indore city by night.
Gomatgiri : 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.
