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INDORE: Omkeshwar, the sacred island of Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh, is a destination for pilgrims and tourists alike. Its temples are marked by their inspiring architecture. Onkar Mandhata temple, one among them, has its roof intricately carved and the veranda made of soft
stones with columns carved in circles, polygons and squares. Another temple, Siddhnath, is also a fine example of medieval Brahmin architecture. A cluster of other Hindu and Jain temples around also attracts pilgrims from far and wide. Satmatrika is a group of temples dating back to the10th century. Besides temples, Kajal Rani caves, 9 km from Omkeshwar, is particularly visited for its picturesque panorama and undulating landscape. Maheshwar was the Capital of king Kartivarjun. Situated on the banks of Narmada, it was revived to its ancient glory by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. Maheshwar temples are distinguished for their intricately done doorways. The fort complex has spires and carved stones. One can start one's tour from this point. It is connected with Indore by rail. The nearest airport is also at Indore. Chaderi is another tourist spot near Indore. Lying between Vetravadi and Urvashi on Vindhyachal hills, Chanderi was famous as Chediraj in ancient times. The present Chanderi was founded by Maharaja Kirtipal Kurumdev in the 10th century. Tourists visit Chanderi to see its fort, famous for its palace. Jageshwari and the Cave temples, 28 km from Chanderi, are Jain temples of the 10th century. Delhi Darwaja, a magnificent door constructed by Dilawar Khan Gauri in1411, and the Jama masjid famous for its domes, are situated on Mungawali Road. The masjid was built by Gyasuddin Balwari in 1252. Khandargiri, two km from Chanderi, is famous for its huge statues of 13th to 16th centuries. Hazzrat Shah Wajeeuddin mosque known as Khuaza Makhdum Shah belongs to the 13th century. Bainhati math, 18 km from Chanderi, situated in the dense forest, was the meditation shrine of
tantriks of Gupta period. Singhpur Palace museum was built by the Bundela ing, Devi Singh, in 1711. It is famous for its lotus pond which was made by Hoshangshah Gauri in 1433. Kaushik palace was built in Afghan architecture by Mohammad Khaliji in 1445 and christened it as Khaushakehaft Manzil. Besides these tourist spots, there is Battesi Babri, two km from Chanderi, built by Governor Sherkhan on the order of Sultan Gyasuddin Khaliji in 1485 and Badal Mahal Darwaza made by Mandu Sultan in 15th century. Laxman temple, Shahzadi Ka Roza, Khaliji Sarai and Pachmarhi are other places of tourist attraction. Pachmarhi, a major tourist attraction well-connected to Indore, is popularly called the Verdant Jewel of the Hills. It derives its name from Pandav cave dwellings executed in sand stone which was once a shelter of the Pandavs. Forsyth Point, dicovered by Captain Forsyth in 1857 and which eventually became a British resort, churches, Jamuna Pratap, a spectacular fall, Handi Khoh, Apsara Vihar, Rajat Pratap, Irene Pool, Jalawantaran and Sunder Kund are some other interesting spots. Mahadev Hill with an idol of Lord Shiva and Chhota Mahadev, Chauragarh, Jatashankar are also famous places. The Catholic Church and the Christ Church are two famous churches in Pachmarhi. The Catholic Church, built in 1892 by the British, is in Irish architectural style with stained glass panes brought from Belgium. The Christ Church built in 1875 by the British is also famous for its fascinating architecture. Its glass panes were also imported from Europe. Besides temples and churches, Pachmarhi also has a wildlife sanctuary, Satpura National Park, set up in 1981. Bison, tiger, leopard, bear, blue bull, four-horned deer and a variety of birds can be sighted here. The cave paintings here are also worth seeing. Dhuandhar's paintings are in white, in a group of arches. Dorothy Deep has animal paintings. Monte Rosa has four shelters with linear drawings. Jambu Deep Valley has plenty of animal scenes and portraits of battles . -by A Correspondent |
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