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INDORE
Planned and built by Rani Ahilayabai, the brave Holkar quuen, Indore lies to the extreme west of the state on the banks of the rivers Saraswati and Khan. This bustling and vibrant city, 186 km from Bhopal, derives its name from the 18th century Indreshwar temple, andn has some interesting monuments associated with the medieval Holkar dynasty.

	Indian Airlines connects Indore with Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal and Gwalior. The airport is 10 km from the city centre.  Jet Airways connects Indore with Mumbai and Air Sahara connect Indore to Delhi.
	Metre gauge as well as broad gauge lines link Indore to Bhopal, Ujjain, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Kochi.
	Indore is well connected by road to Mumbai, Agra, Gwalior, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bhopal and Ujjain.

Some important road distances from Indore

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 Roa III. Many royal receptions were held here, It has a total area of 28 hectares, and at one time contained one of the best rose gardens of the country. 

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

The idol is studded with many precious stones and the metallic frame is made of gold, silver, cooper, iron and brass.

Kanch Mandir, Made by late Seth Hukumchand, this Jain temple is an architectural marvel in glass. The walls, ceiling, floors, pillars and door knobs are entirely inlaid with glass. At the top is a special glass chamber which multiplies the three statues of Lord Mahavira installed there into an indefinite number (said to be visible upto 21 times, corresponding to the 21 tirthankaras)

Town Hall, At one time this was one of the prettiest building of Indore. 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 steeples 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.

The central hall has a capacity for 2,000 people and 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.

Gita Bhawan, Newly built, adorned with many statues of gods of various religions, it is open to all irrespective of religion, caste and creed, with provision for the devout to pray separately. Its construction is inspired by the religious motto 'many names to a God is after all of one God'. The central hall is decorated with wall paintings from the Puranas, Ramayan and Mahabharat. It is used for religious discourses. Bookstores within the premises sell religious books at reasonable rates.

Rajwada, Situated in the heart of the city, this is a seven-storeyed 2nd century structure. Built by the Holkars, the architecture is a mix of Muslim, Maratha and French style.

Chhatris Baag, are the tombs or cenotaphs erected in memory of the dead Holkar rulers and their families. The chhatris picturesquely poised on the Khan river banks near Rajwada 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 in memory of Sardar Chimnaji Appa Sahib Bolia.

Annapurna, This temple was inspired by the Meenakshi temple of Madurai, Four life-size elephants hold an ornately decorative gate in plaster. Inside the temple of Annapurna Devi are also temples of Shiva, Kala Bhairav, Hanuman and a Pravachan hall.  The outer wall of the main temple is decorated with colourful reliefs from mythological stories.

Khajrana, The citizens of Indore have great faith in this Ganesh temple, made during the reign of Ahilya Bai. It is believed that all wishes are fulfilled by praying here, Nearby is the dargah of Nahar Sayad. It is believed that his headless body is buried here, This is an important pilgrimage place for Maita Muslims.

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 foreach tirthankar. 

Bijasen Tekri, A two minute drive from the airport (about 9 km from railway station) leads you to a hillock (tekri) 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 is held during Navratri. The surrounding areas are developed into gardens with a small lake. It is a good picnic spot, with a breathtaking view of Indore city by night. 

Dewas, (36 km) from Indore, it is  famous for a temple devoted to Devi Chamunda.

MHOW, (23 km) from Indore on National Highway No. 3. The name itself is an abbreviation of Military Headquarters of War. MHOW was supposedly the war management centre of the British during the World War. 

Dhar, (64 km) from Indore on the Indore-Ahmedabad road is Dhar, the capital of the Parmar Kings, among whom Bhoj was the most prominent. During the Muslim rule, Dhar was under the Sultans of Delhi. In the monuments one can see the combination of Hindu, Afghan and Mughal architecture. Bhoj Shala, Laat Masjid, the Fort and the lakes are the main tourist attractions.

Patal Pani, (36 km) Famous for its scenic waterfall, Water falls from a height of 150 ft.  into a kund, the depth of which is still unknown, It is believed that the bottom of this unfathomable kund reaches Patal (underworld), hence the name patal Pani.

Omkareshwar, (77 km) It is famous for its Shiva temple. On the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, it is one of the holiest centres of pilgrimage for Hindus. Many stone-cut ancient temples exist here.

Maheshwar, (91 km) away, was once the capital of Ahilya Bai Holkar. It is famous for its Maheshwari sarees, renowned for their intricate weavers.

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