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Indore
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Sightseeing |
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Rajwada(Holkar
Palace)
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 In the old part if town, the
multi-storey gateway of the Rajwada or Old Palace looks out onto the
palm-lined main square in the crowded streets of the Kajuri Bazaar. Two hundred years ago, this seven
storied historical
building formed the never centre of all trading activities. Even today it stands
proud in the market place, a silent tribute to the craftsmanship
of unknown artisans of centuries ago. A mixture of French, Mughal and
Maratha styles, the palace has been up in flames three times in its 200
year history. After a very serious conflagration in 1984, it is now not
much more than a facade.The gopura-like
monumental stone and wood structure, flanked by bastions and studded with
balconies and windows, is a testimony of the past grandeur of the Holkars. It is now used for art
exhibitions and classical music concerts. The charred rubble of the rear portion has
now given way to a symmetrically laid out garden featuring fountains, an
artificial waterfall and some superb pieces of eleventh century sculpture.
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Kanch Mandir
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 The 'Place of Mirrors' is a quaint Jain Shrine, close to
Rajwada. The Kanch Mandir also called Glass Temple, which is a jain mandir (temple) is a marvel in glass. This temple
was built by the "Cotton King" Sir Hukamchand Seth in the early 20th
century. The walls, ceiling, floor, pillars, doors are entirely inlaid with
glass. The mirror work reflects minute detailing. There are paintings done in
coloured glass which depict stories from Jain scriptures. At the top is a
special glass chamber which multiplies the three statues of Lord Mahavir
installed there, into an infinite number.
The attraction of this palace, as the name indicates, is in the
myriad mirrors studded on the walls and the ceiling in which one's
reflection can be seen.
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Lal Bagh Palace
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 The Lalbagh Palace
of the Holkars on the
banks of the Khan river is one of the grandest monuments the Holkar dynasty left
to Indore city. It
is a blend of the baroque and renaissance styles, and in its days was one of the
most elegant residences in India. It is being developed by the Government of Madhya
Pradesh as a cultural centre. The main attraction are the splendidly
proportioned and furnished rooms, with frescoed ceilings and guilded ornamental
mouldings.
The whole complex has a total area of 28 acres and at one time had one of the
best rose gardens of the country.
Though
simple to look from outside, the magnificent interior takes one into a
dreamland of past glory. The imposing gates of the palace are unique in
Asia. A replica of the gates of Buckingham palace (London), about twice
their size , were moulded in cast iron and shipped from England. They
carry the Holkar state emblem which means "He who tries will
succeed".
Currently this is the residence of Usha
Raje,
direct descendent of the Holkars, whose ancestral palace it used to be. Exquisitely
constructed with great detailing,
it reflects the royal taste of the Holkars. |
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Chhatri
Bagh :- |
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 Across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh the
tradition of erecting chhatris or cenotaphs was rather prevalent. An example of this can be seen here at
Chharti Bagh where the cenotaphs where erected in memory of the Holkar rulers and their family.A breathtaking sight at night when
illuminated, the Chhatris glow etherally against the dark of the sky. An
artificial lake is created in this stretch of the otherwise dry Khan river,
complete with a fountain, well laid gardens on both banks and boating facility.
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Kajuri Bazaar:- |
| The Kajuri Bazaar streets are a good place to take a
stroll. They are always very busy and there are many examples of old
houses with picturesque overhanging verandahs. Unfortunately, these are
disappearing fast as concrete rapidly replaces wood. |
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Next-->> |
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