Indore is the largest and the most populous city in Madhya Pradesh. Known as the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, the city is nicknamed ‘Mini Mumbai. Located on the southern border of Malwa Plateau, Indore sits 553 metres above sea level. Being the education hub of the state that houses top-level institutes IIT and IIM, Indore also comes under one of the favourite places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.
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It is situated 190 kilometres west of the state capital of Bhopal. Indore has been ranked as the cleanest city in the country for four years in a row as per the Swachh Survekshan for the years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Indore was a trade hub between the Deccan and Delhi during the 16th century under the control of Peshwa Baji Rao I.
The city holds high significance from historic and cultural perspectives. A trip to North India would be incomplete without a visit to this city. In this article, find the popular tourist places to visit in Indore.
10 Places to Visit in Indore
- Rajwada Palace
- Lal Bagh Palace
- Central Museum
- Kanch Mandir
- Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya
- Annapurna Temple
- Meghdoot Garden
- Khajrana Ganesh Mandir
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kshetriya Udyan
- Crescent Water Park
Rajwada Palace
The seven-storied marvellous structure stands tall as the pride of the Maratha Empire. Rajwada Palace was built by the Holkar Dynasty about two centuries ago. The grand palace overlooks the popular and crowded Khajuri Market. This palace is one of the oldest structures and one of the most famous tourist spots in Indore.
The majestic structure is an amalgamation of Maratha, Mughal and French styles of architecture. Major attractions within the Rajwada include the Rani Ahilya Bai throne and the Darbar Hall. Be prepared to be in awe while visiting this spectacular castle that comprises stone and wood structures. The Rajwada Palace is the epitome of India’s rich cultural heritage.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Major Attractions: Light & Sound show, Rani Ahilya Bai throne and the Darbar Hall
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Learn more about the Holkar dynasty
Lal Bagh Palace
Covering an area of 28 acres, the Lal Bagh Palace was home to the rulers of the Holkar dynasty. This magnificent palace should be a part of your list of places to visit in Indore without fail. Situated on the banks of River Khan, the Lal Bagh Palace went through 35-years of construction and was completed in 1921. The castle was the residence of the Holkar dynasty until 1978 and now serves as a museum.
Visit Lal Bagh Palace to discover rare coin collections and artefacts that represent the Maratha culture. The interiors of this palace will certainly leave you in awe. From Italian marbles, Greek mythological reliefs to Persian carpets and Belgium stained glass windows, one can find a mix of cultures from all around the world over here.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Major Attractions: Rare coin collections, Maratha artefacts
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Dive deeper into the Maratha Empire’s history
Central Museum
Indore Museum aka the Central Museum is one of the must-visit places in Indore for history lovers. Over here, one can find artefacts from the prehistoric era to the modern era. From rare dried botanical creatures and mythological carvings to coins and weapons of different eras, there is a lot to come across in this museum. Tourists who visit Ujjain mostly visit this place as both these spots possess historic significance.
Established in 1929, its collection has been majorly gathered from the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. The ancient style of architecture known as the Palmer Scriptures is one of the prized possessions of this museum. The stone sculptures in here enjoy most of the crowd’s attention. Central Museum is among the places to visit in Indore in the morning.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Major Attractions: Dried botanical creatures, Palmer Scriptures
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Explore artefacts from the prehistoric and the modern era
Kanch Mandir
Walk into this spectacular temple that is made completely out of glass. Translating literally to ‘Glass Temple’, Kaanch Mandir’s beauty cannot be described in words. The striking monument was constructed around 1903 and serves a Jain temple. It is one of the most visited attractions in Indore. Kanch Mandir exhibits elegant artwork on colourful glass panels that depict various aspects of Jainism.
Do not fear walking inside this temple as from roof to the floor, everything in here is nothing but glass. This marvellous temple was built by Seth Hukumchand and houses three Lord Mahavir statues inside a special chamber. Upon entering the chamber, prepare yourself to be surprised by the multiple reflections of these statues through the glass. The uniqueness of this Jain temple makes it very famous among tourists visiting the city.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 05:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Major Attractions: Lord Mahavir statues, Glass Chamber
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Learn more about Jainism
Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya
Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalay or simply, the Indore Zoo is a zoological garden situated in the Navlakha locality of Indore city. It is the most advanced zoo in India and one needs to reserve their trip online before visiting this place. Covering an area of about 51 acres, the zoo houses various beasts from different parts of the world. The Indore Zoo has been successful in breeding White tigers and the Royal Bengal tigers.
The zoo is also a centre for reproduction, protection and exhibition of animals, plants and their habitats. Spot countless varieties of animals while here. Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalay is home to Hippopotamus, Asiatic Lion, Indian Leopard, Ostrich, Langur, Mugger and Gharial crocodiles. It is a perfect spot if you are looking for places to visit in Indore with your family.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Major Attractions: White tigers and the Royal Bengal tigers
Ideal duration to explore: 2-4 hours
Things to do: Animal spotting
Annapurna Temple
Annapurna Temple is a hub for pilgrims visiting the city of Indore. The beautiful temple is also a famous tourist spot in Indore. Dedicated to the deity of food Annapurneshwari Devi, the temple is also home to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman and Kalabhairava shrines. The entrance of the temple is embellished with four-life size elephant statues. Its striking beauty makes every tourist want to visit the Annapurna Temple.
It is a popular belief that this supernatural temple of Devi Annapurna never disappoints its devotees and if prayed with a pure heart, the devotees’ houses will never see hunger. Built-in the 9th century, this is one of the oldest temples in Indore. However, its major attraction, the elephant gate was constructed in 1975. Annapurna Temple is one of the famous destinations in Indore.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 06:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Major Attractions: Elephant Gate, Shiva, Hanuman and Kalabhairava shrines
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Worshipping
Meghdoot Garden
Meghdoot Garden or Meghdoot Upvan is a lavishly dense landscape covered in various shades of green. Meghdoot Garden is one of the oldest gardens in the city which got better with time. Dotted with fountains, this location is perfect for you to take a relaxing walk during the evening. People from all over the city seek solace from their busy lives in this garden.
The garden is a haven for kids as they have an entire area dedicated just for them. The peaceful garden is one of the perfect places to visit in Indore for couples. Picnicking and walking are the favourite activities of visitors while here. Avoid weekends if you are visiting to find some peace as the place is flooded by families during that time of the week.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Major Attractions: Water fountains, Wide varieties of plants
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Evening walks, Photography, Picnicking
Khajrana Ganesh Mandir
Housing Lord Ganesha as its deity, the Khajrana Ganesh Temple is a pilgrimage centre in Indore. It is another architectural marvel that was built during the Holkar dynasty. The temple was built in 1735 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar. There is an interesting story behind the construction of the Khajrana Ganesh Mandir. It is one of the must-visit places in Indore.
The Ganesha idol placed inside the temple was retrieved from a well where it was hidden to keep it safe from Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. From being a small hut initially to now a gigantic structure, the temple underwent major structural changes over the course of years. The gate, the outer and upper wall of the sanctum sanctorum are made of Silver. People from all over the world flock to see this marvellous shrine.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 05:00 AM to 12:00 PM; Monday to Sunday from 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Major Attractions: The diamond-eyed Ganesha idol, Silver sanctum sanctorum
Ideal duration to explore: 1-2 hours
Things to do: Worshipping
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kshetriya Udyan
Occupying about 80 acres of land, the Regional Park, officially known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kshetriya Udyan, is a famous tourist spot in Indore. Named after former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the park houses a massive lake that encompasses 42-acres of space. The remaining 38-acre is dedicated to other attractions.
There is a canal that covers the entirety of the park. The bridges over these canals have mist fountains that add to the serenity of the place. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kshetriya Udyan is visited mostly by families. Boating is the main activity over here and one can rent paddle boats, motorboats or small cruises. Another major attraction is the mini cruiser called Malwa Queen.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 09:00 PM
Major Attractions: Artists’ village, Biodiversity garden, French gardens, Malwa Queen, Musical Fountain
Ideal duration to explore: 2-3 hours
Things to do: Boating, Try out fast-food
Crescent Water Park
At Kampel Road in Indore, one can find the enchanting Crescent Water Park. Situated about 26 kilometres from the heart of Indore City, this water park is a perfect spot to spend an off-day with your friends and family. Crescent Water Park is a highly preferred weekend getaway for the locals. The place also has a resort facility for tourists who wish to extend their trips while here.
Crescent Water Park is a popular summer destination and is home to numerous thrilling water rides. Famous attractions within the park include Columbus Ride, Wave pool, Deep Water Pool and Rain Dance. Crescent Water Park is one of the top places in Indore for Adventure seekers. Due to its convenient location, Crescent Water Park experiences a lot of footfall every year.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Major Attractions: Columbus Ride, Wave pool, Deep Water Pool and Rain Dance
Ideal duration to explore: 4-6 hours
Things to do: Enjoy adventure rides
To conclude, Indore is a tourist destination for all and can be visited any time of the year. From religious, historic and cultural to the modern aspects of the city, Indore possesses every attribute that can fulfil your travel goals. A planned trip to this city can make your trip worthwhile.
Visit this city to know why it is called the cleanest city in India. The spotless town is visited by tourists from all over the world. Indore is a favourite among the locals and the tourists alike. The business significance of this city puts it on the radar of many travellers.
FAQ
What is famous in Indore?
Indore was one of the prime centres of the Maratha Empire and home to the Holkar Dynasty. The same paved the way for Indore to carry their heritages for over centuries. Today, Indore is home to various palaces, museums and gardens.
What is good in Indore?
Indore is famous for majestic temples, mesmerizing palaces and busy markets. Indore is also famous for street food dishes like Poha, jalebi, Khatta samosa, Dahi vada among others.
Is Indore worth visiting?
Nicknamed as the food city, cleanest city and Mini Mumbai, Indore is a place where you can find everything that a traveller seeks. Tourists wanting to cover the northern part of India must surely include Indore in their itinerary. Indore is a city that can offer a lot for an affordable travel budget.
How can I spend two days in Indore?
Make sure you take time and prepare an itinerary and divide the places of interest as per your priority. It would be ideal to dedicate the first day to know more about Indore’s rich cultural, religious and historical roots by visiting castles, temples and museums.
The second day can be more of a leisure day. Make sure you do not miss out on treating your tastebuds to scrumptious street food.