Mamleshwar and Indore, M.P.

On 24th October 21, after having tea, pohe, at 10 AM, we started from Maheshwar to Mamleshwar Jyotirlinga. Distance is 62 km. We reached at 11.30 AM. Car entry is Rs 30/-. At the entry point there are so many Panditjis, who told us that one of them will take us to both the temples (Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar) and will do Abhishek on behalf of us. We decided to give Rs.251/- and one of the Panditji came with us to Omkareshwar Mandir. He directly took us inside the temple and made us darshan of Shri Omkareshwar. Omkareshwar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is on an island called Mandhata or Shivpuri in the Narmada river. The shape of this island is said to be like the devnagari om symbol.

There are two main temples of Lord Shiva here, one is Omkareshwar (whose name means "Lord of Omkara or the Lord of the Om sound") located in the island and one to Mamleshwar (whose name means "Immortal Lord" or "lord of the Immortals or Devas") located on the south bank of Narmada River on the mainland. After darshan of Omkareshwar we went by boat Rs 100/- to Mamleshwar Jyotirling. After boating you have to climb few steps for Mamleshwar Jyotirling Mandir. Mamleshwar Jyotirling is placed in Brahmpuri, Madhya Pradesh. Beautiful atmosphere and nature. Both the temples require more attention and good management. The hanging bridge between both the temples is just like Laxman Zula in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Feel blessed and fortunate after visiting both the temples.

Before going to Mamleshwar, we were in confusion that among Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar, which is the Jyotirling? But people and pandit ji over there told that Mamleshwar Jyotirling darshan is incomplete without darshan of Omkareshwar. Both are counted as one Jyotirling.

After darshan we headed towards Indore. Distance is @ 75Km. Reached Indore at 6 PM checked in hotel Krishna. And at 10 PM went by auto Rs 80/- to famous Sarafa Bazar.

Sarafa Bazaar/Sarafa Market is a market which remains day time jwellery market and night time itself converts into street food court located in central Indore. Sarafa Bazaar is a popular tourist place because of its cuisine and night lifestyle. Though no one is sure about the origin of this bazaar, it is believed that it is started some 100 years ago and was encouraged by jewellery shop owners so the noise and bustle would secure their own shops at night. With this in mind, they willingly started offering space in front of their shops to food vendors and thus, Sarafa Bazar came into existence. Today, when most of Indore is asleep, this late night market gets nearly 3000 visitors, both locals and tourists. We spent almost 2 hours there. The atmosphere is cheerful and mesmerizing. We tried so many dishes e.g. kalakand, jalebi rabdi, cheese panipuri, momos, spiral potato, garadu, crush coconut, pavbhaji, bhutte ka kiss, mosambi juice etc. The crowd reminded me our Tulshibaug in Pune. Here in Indore, though it is crowded, most of the people not wearing masks. At night 12.30 we came back to hotel Krishna.

On 25th October 21 morning at 11 we went by auto Rs.80/- to Kanch Mandir. It is a jain temple of Bhagwan Mahavir. Situated in market area, difficult to get parking space. Photography is prohibited. The whole temple's interior is intricately jewelled with all types of glass. On the wall there are murals depicting stories and mythology of deities. All temple is beautifully crafted. Great artwork. As the name, temple is literally made up of glass - including floor, walls, columns, ceiling. The idol of Lord Mahaveer is made up of black onyx.

After this with the same auto Rs.70/- we went to Vijay chat center for breakfast, tried dhokla fried chat with other dishes, liked very much then went to nearby Gopal Mandir which is on the way to Rajwada Palace. It is a holy place. We sat 10-15 minutes over there. There were two swings (zhula), on the swings big idols of Balkrishna are kept. Then went to Rajwada Palace which is walking distance. It is a historical palace built by Holkars of the Maratha Empire about two centuries ago. Though maintenance work is going on it is open for visitors. On ground floor there is Malhar Martand Temple, some sculptures and photos. Photography is allowed. On first floor there is full information about Holkar family, specially about Ahilyabai Holkar. Entry ticket is Rs 10/-. It is must visit place.

There is lot of market around this area, we also did some street shopping. Then we went to Lalbag palace by auto at Rs.80/- but after reaching there we came to know that palace is closed on Monday, we get disappointed and came back to hotel Krishna.