Omkareswar, Narmada River Boating

Omkareswar

Narmada River Boating

Also see: Familiarization (FAM) Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Omkareshwar is a river island located in the middle of the Narmada River roughly at the mid point of its source in Amarkantak and its sea mouth in Baruch. The island measures 4 km in length and 2 km in breadth and houses two lofty hills.

Boating in Narmada River, with Omkereshwar Island in the Background, Omkereshwar, Madhya Pradesh

When viewed from the top it appears to form the sacred Hindu symbol of Om and hence the name Omkareshwar. A sacred Hindu pilgrimage it houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and plays an important role in Narmada Parikrama, a pilgrimage consisting of a arduous trek along the bank of the Narmada River.

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Jahaz Mahal, Mandu

A ship like pleasure palace

Also see: Familiarization (FAM) Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

If the great mosque and the tombs of Hoshang and Mahmud, ……………, represents the serene grandeur of the building art of Mandu, the Jahaz Mahal may be said to reflect the spirit of its romantic beauty and joyous hilarity…….

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) booklet on Mandu

Mandu, the city of joy, in the heart of incredible India, is often refereed to as the site of the eternal love affair of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati (Also see: Rewa Kund Group, Mandu).

Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace), Royal Enclave, Mandu, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

On the other hand the magnificent marble mausoleum of of Hoshang Shah, first of its kind in India, dominates the Mandu sky line (Also see: Central Group, Mandu).

Sagar Talao Group, Mandu, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Sagar Talao Group, Mandu, MP

Malik Mughith’s Mosque, Caravan Sarai, Dai ka Mahal, Dai ki Chhoti  Bahen ka Mahal and Unknown Tomb

Also see: Familiarization (FAM) Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Sagar Talao, the largest lake in the Citadel of Mandu is located on the southern part of Mandu. Along the eastern banks of the lake are several monuments, which are clubbed together as the Sagar Talao Group.

A panoramic view of the Malik Mughith’s Mosque, Sagar Talao Group, Mandu, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

North of the Sagar Talao Group is the Darya Khan Group and further south is the Rewa Kund Group (see: map).

Rajwada, Maheshwar Fort, Abode of Ahilya Bai

Rajwada, Maheshwar Fort, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Abode of Ahilya Bai

Also see: Familiarization (FAM) Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Ahilya Bai is second to none in valour, sagacity and eminence. Nobody can equate her in these matters.

Nana Phadnavis

Statue of Ahilyaa Bai, Rajwadaa, Maheshwar Fort

The massive Maheshwar Fort stands on hill overlooking the Narmada River on the south. The stupendous walls of the Maheshwar Fort rises straight out of the Narmada River to a height of more than 30 meters.

The Maheshwar Fort dates back to antiquity and there are no clear evidence of its first construction. The fort as we see today was conceived during the reign of Ahilya Bai Holkar (1767 – 95).

Ahilya Bai, was the daughter in law of Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of Hindu Maratha dynasty of Holkar, who ruled central India from Indore.

Ahilya Bai was born in 1725 in the village of Chondi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Her father was Mankoji Shinde, a village chief. Unusual for the time he tought her daughter to read and write.

According to legend one day Malhar Rao Holkar, while passing through the village of Chondi spotted the 8 year old Ahilya Bai.

Pleased with her beauty and personality he brought her home as a bride for her son Malhar Rao Holkar. They were married in 1733. Ahilya Bai become a widow in 1754, when her husband Malhar Rao Holkar, died during the siege of Kumbher.

Rewa Kund Group, Mandu, Baz Bahadur’s Palace and Roopmati’s Pavilion

Rewa Kund Group, Mandu

Baz Bahadur Palace and Roopmati’s Pavilion

Eternal Love Story of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati

Also see: Familiarization (FAM) Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The Rewa Kund Group, consisting of Rewa Kund, Baz Bahadur’s Palace and Roopmati’s Pavilion is located at the southern end of the Citadel of Mandu in Madhya Pradesh (MP).

L: Baz Bahadur and Roopmati enjoying a horse ride, C: Both riding in the moonlight, R: Attack of Mandu by Akbar’s army (Source: Wikinedia Commons)

The most enchanting and romantic of the Mandu groups is the Rewa Kund Group. It stills speaks of the legend of Baz Bahadur and his consort Roopmati. The stories of the love affair of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati make up some of the most enchanting folk lores of Mandu.

Darya Khan Group, Mandu, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Darya Khan Group, Mandu, MP

Darya Khan’s Tomb Complex, Hati Mahal and Roja Ki Makbar

Also see: Familiarization (FAM) Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The Darya Khan Group of Monuments is a small group of scattered monuments and tombs located south of the Central Group and north of the Sagar Talao Group in the Citadel of Mandu.

Darya Khan’s Tomb Complex

The Darya Khan Group is located near the Malwa Resort of MPTDC (Tel: (07292) 263235, Email: mresortm@mptourism.com) and is best explored on foot in the early morning (see: map).

Cenotaph Complex, Maheshwar Fort, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Cenotaph Complex, Maheshwar Fort

Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Also see: Familiarization (FAM) Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The massive Maheshwar Fort stands on hill overlooking the Narmada River on the south. The stupendous walls of the Maheshwar Fort rises straight out of the Narmada River to a height of more than 30 meters.

Panoramic view of the southern facade of Maheshwar Fort, from the ghats of Narmada, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The Maheshwar Fort dates back to antiquity and there are no clear evidence of its first construction. The fort as we see today was conceived during the reign of Ahilya Bai Holkar (1767 – 95).

Central Group or Village Group, Mandu, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Central Group or Village Group, Mandu, MP

Jami Masjid, Hoshang Shah’s Tomb, Ashrafi Mahal & Mahmud Khalji’s Tomb

Also see: Familiarization (FAM) Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The Central Group or the Village Group is located at the very centre of the Citadel of Mandu. Today the area serves as the main market and bus stop for Mandu and there are several hotels in the vicinity. Thus the Central Group can well be the launch pad for exploration of Mandu.

Ashrafi Mahal and Jami Masjid, Central Group (or Village Group). Mandu. Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The Central Group consists of four monuments. They are Jami Masjid, Hoshang Shah’s Tomb, Ashrafi Mahal and Mahmud Khalji’s Tomb.

Ancient Temples of Kalachuri Period, Amarkantak

Ancient Temples of Kalachuri Period

Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Amarkantak, often refereed to as Tirtharaj or King of Pilgrimage is situated at an altitude of 1000 m in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh (MP). Amarkantak is located at the junction of the three central Indian ranges of Vindhyas, Satpuras and Maikal.

Ancient Temples of Kalachuri Period, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

The mighty rivers of Sone and Narmada originate from Amarkantak. According to legend Sone and Narmada were to marry each other but Sone refused and flowed eastwards to join the Ganges near Patna.

Baobab Juice, The taste of Africa in the heart of Incridible India

Baobab Juice

The taste of Africa in the heart of Incredible India

Also see: Familiarization (FAM) Tour of Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Baobab (genus Adansonia), popularly known as the upside down tree, is a native of Africa but grows abundantly in the Mandu region of Madhya Pradesh (MP).

Baobab Trees in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh (MP)

An African native, it is an inhabitant of the dry region. The Baobab grows in abundance in western, eastern and southern Africa, including Madagascar. It is also found in the Arabian Peninsula and even Australia.