Madhya Pradesh (मध्य प्रदेश) - The Heart of India !!!

Hello Everyone,

My name is Makarannd Shukla. I am from Mumbai. Today I am going to share my last trip experience before lockdown. This is 3 Night 4 Day trip. In which i covered Indore, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandu.

I start my tour at 21st February 2020 in the evening. I left my home by 6:20, I cached train for Indore. I booked my train ticket 7 days prior. Train ticket too much cheaper than Bus & Flight, again its depend upon each & everyone comfort, after 14 hours journey I reached Indore at 8:30 am in the morning at 22nd February 2020.

Day 1 :

I reached hotel, kept my luggage in room, I got fresh & i had my breakfast. The breakfast was amazing, there was too much variation in breakfast veg non-veg, pastries, juices & specially Indore Poha because 40% people are Maharashtrian.

After Breakfast I left for Ujjain city Tour. I booked Local Vehicle for my 4 Day trip, it took 1 & half hours for 56 km from my hotel. I left hotel by approx 11 am & I reached to Ujjain at 12:30 pm

1st I visit Kaal Bhairav Temple - The Avatar of Shankar Bhagwan. The Local Tour Guide explained each and everything. You will face too much crowed so please take care of your belongings.

I left for my 2nd visit to Sandipani Ashram which took 15 min to reach. Maharshi Sandīpanī Muni was the guru of Bhagavan Śrī krishna. In Sandipani Ashram Bhagavan Śrī krishna learned 64 Arts and 14 Sciences in 64 days.

Laterally, I went for lunch in Sandīpanī Restaurant. There I had local dish which is known as Dal Bafla which is specially made in Pure Ghee & serve with special sweet dish which is Rava Ladu. After lunch I start my next tour.

My 3rd & next visit was at 15 min distance which was Harsiddhi Mata Temple. This is one of the 52 Shakti Pith. You can feel positive vibes and vibration in the temple. You can stay at the Dharmshalas next to the temple at a very nominal amount.

After darshan of Harsiddhi Mata I start heading to my 4th place which was Bada Ganesha Temple which was on 5 min walking distance. The main attraction is the size of idol of Lord Ganesh. The Ganesh idol is really huge in size - about 18 feet tall and about 10 feet wide. Though the temple is small, it is a beautiful one with the divinity all over.

Laterally, I start heading to my 5th place which was Mahakaleshwar Temple which is at 2 min walking distance from Bada Ganesha Temple. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga. I bought Besan Ladoo which is made by pure ghee as prasad. After all amazing darshan I start heading towards my hotel.

I reached hotel, after getting fresh-up I went to explore near by area of my hotel. Then I came back hotel & tasted delicious dinner.

Day 2

I woke in the morning, got fresh-up & had my delicious breakfast.

By 8:30 am i left for Omkareshwar Temple which was 78 km away & took 2 hours 15 minutes to reach, I continue today also with same vehicle.

I reach temple 10:45. From parking till temple there is 10 minutes walk. In route you will get to see small local shop, souvenirs shop, etc. Then I crossed Narmada River to reach the temple from pool. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga. The shape of the island is said to be like the Hindu ॐ symbol. Once you entered in the temple you will see carvings on all the walls & pillars. When you entered in main Gabhara of temple you will get hardly one minute for pray due to rush & again back to parking area till 12:30 pm. In route you will able to get Darshan of Gajanan Maharaj who is famous Sant. in Maharashtra.

Then we proceed to Maheshwar Temple, distance is 66km from Omkareshwar temple which take 1 hours 45 minutes. In route I had my lunch. I reached Maheshwar Temple at 2:45 pm. Maheshwar is the city of Holkars. There are local guides who will explain you all the history of Maheshwar at very nominal price. I also took local guide with me in rickshaw till Maheshwar fort. It took 5 to 7 minutes to reach to fort, you can go by walk also & it took 15 - 20 minutes. There is one huge statue of Rajmata Ahilya Devi Holkar & property of Holkar such as Golden Zula, etc. I visit Lord Shiva Temple, visit Narmada River. Then I visited Maheshwar Silk Saree & Chanderi Silk Saree outlets. I left the place 5 pm & reached hotel in 2 hours 15 minutes by 7:15 pm by crossing 97 km. Then letter was relax day, I again went to explore near by area & back to hotel, I had dinner & went to sleep.

Day 3:

I woke up, had my breakfast & left for Mandu Fort, which 87 km away, I left hotel by 8 am & reach 10:30 am to Mandu Fort, I again paid for local guide at very reasonable cost he explain me each history of Mandu with Mandu sightseen. I visit Jahaj Mahal, Jami Masjid, Baz Bahadur Palace, Rani Roopmati's Pavilion. In each place there is 7-9 minutes walking distance. Guide explain the Love story of Baz Bahadur & Rani Roopmati. All sightseen have have enormous structure is striking in both its simplicity and architectural style-with large courtyards and grand entrances. I left the place 1 pm & in-route I had my lunch, I reached hotel by 4:30. In evening I went to explore Sarafa Bazar Khau Gally. Market start when all gold shops are closed, out side of those shop all local vendors seats with their local food. Joshincha Dahiwada is famous dish in Sarafa Bazar. Coconut crush, Shabudana Khichdi, Different types of Pani Puri, smoke Pan, Fired Pan, etc. Sarafa Market close in Morning 3 am. I went to hotel back by 11 pm.

Day 4

Last Day of my tour, I woke up late, I had breakfast by 9 am, left hotel by 10 am for Kothari Market then I visit 56 Bhog shop, where you will get sweets & Indori Namkeen. I went back to Hotel by 12 pm. I had my lunch by 12:30 & i left my hotel by 1 pm. I left & visit Lalbagh Palace which is property of Tukoji Rao Holkar. It took 1 hour to reach from my hotel. Gadgets & electronics are not allowed inside. Entrance fees is Rs. 10. You can get guide at very reasonable price. Italian marble columns, grand chandeliers, Persian carpets and flying nymphs on the ceiling gives the tourists a wonderful experience. Other attractions of the palace are the furnished rooms with beautiful carvings on the walls as well as the ceilings.

I left the place by 2:30 pm. I cached my flight at 4 pm & reached Mumbai by 5:15 pm. This Journey give me amazing experience, too much learning, showed me beautiful part of India. I would love to go back with my family.

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” - Gustav Flaubert