37 Best Historical Places & Heritage sites near Indore

Famous worldwide for its Buddhist monuments, Sanchi is one of the popular places of heritage in Madhya Pradesh. It is located about 21 km from Raisen, and 46 km from Bhopal.

Among the top places to visit near Bhopal, the town of Sanchi is the center of a region with innumerable age-old stupas, monasteries, temples, monolithic pillars, and other remnants of the rich Buddhist culture. The monuments of Sanchi are probably the best-preserved group of Buddhist monuments in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Sanchi holiday packages.

A renowned UNESCO World Heritage site, the Great Stupa is one of the oldest stone structures in India and was installed by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty in the 3rd century BC. This Greco-Buddhist-style monument is believed to hold the bones and beads of some of the closest disciples of Buddha. Besides, Ashoka Pillar, the Great Bowl, Sanchi Museum, Gupta Temple, and Udayagiri Caves are the other tourist places in Sanchi.

Distance from Indore: 239 Kms

Kevadiya is a census town in the Narmada district of Gujarat. It is one of the top places to visit in Gujarat as the Statue of Unity is located here. It is about 85 km from Vadodara, and 189 km from Ahmedabad.

Nestled between the Satpura and Vindhyachal mountain ranges, the tribal village of Kevadia is home to a 182 m tall statue of the Ironman of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This is the 'Tallest Statue in the World' and is the must-include place in Kevadiya packages.

Besides the Statue of Unity, Valley of Flowers, Jungle Safari, Cactus Garden, Butterfly Garden, Khalwani Eco-tourism, Zarwani Waterfall, the Narmada Dam, etc are some of the popular places to visit in Kevadiya. It can be visited along with Vadodara tour packages.

Distance from Indore: 300 Kms

Located on the banks of Vishwamitri River, Vadodara is a beautiful city in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Situated at a distance of 109 km from Ahmedabad, it is one of the popular places to visit in gujarat, and can be visited along with Ahmedabad tour packages.

Formerly called Baroda, Vadodara is the third-largest city in Gujarat, after Ahmedabad and Surat. The architectural brilliance of the city is the major highlight of Vadodara holiday packages. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Lakshmi Vilas Palace, Baroda Museum, Kirti Mandir, and Sayajirao Gaekwad hospital are some of the notable architectural monuments in Vadodara. Besides, Sayaji Baug, Sursagar Lake, Nyay Mandir, EME Temple, Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, etc. are some of the prominent tourist places in Vadodara.

Often called the Cultural Capital of Gujarat, the city of Baroda comes alive during the Navratri celebrations. No city in India celebrates the festival of Navratri with as much zeal and energy as Vadodara does.

Distance from Indore: 338 Kms

Ahmedabad is the largest city and also the former capital of Gujarat. Situated on the banks of the River Sabarmati, it is one of the popular places of places to visit in Gujarat. It is about 29 km from Gandhinagar, and 534 km from Mumbai.

Ahmedabad is India's first UNESCO World Heritage City and is also regarded as one of the fastest-growing cities in India. Also known as Amdavad, the city of Ahmedabad is the commercial hub and also the living symbol of the rich cultural heritage of Gujarat state. Splendid monuments, wonderful museums, and gorgeous lakes are the prime attractions of Ahmedabad holiday packages.

Popularly called the Land of Gandhi, Ahmedabad is closely associated with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the father of the nation. Sabarmati Ashram, Kankarai Lake, Jama Masjid, Akshardham Temple, Adalaj Stepwell, Huthee Singh Jain Temple, ISKCON Temple, Vintage Car Museum, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Swaminarayan Mandir, and Sardar Patel National Memorial are some of the well-known tourist places in Ahmedabad.

Distance from Indore: 390 Kms

Orchha or Urchha is a small ancient town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, India. About 123 km from Gwalior, 237 km from Kanpur, and 352 km from Bhopal, it is one of the popular tourist places in India, and among the must include places in Madhya Pradesh tour packages.

Orchha, means a 'hidden place', is situated on the banks of Betwa River and is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. It is one of the popular heritage places to visit near Gwalior and Kanpur. Orchha was established in 1501 AD by Bundela king Rudra Pratap Singh, who became the first emperor of Orchha, (1501-1531) and also built the Orchha Fort, must visit places as part of Orchha packages.

Besides Orchha Fort, Chaturbhuj Temple, Chhatris, Lakshmi Narayan Temple and Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the famous tourist places in Orchha. It can be visited along with Jhansi tour packages.

Distance from Indore: 490 Kms

At a distance of 121 km from Agra, 174 km from Mathura, 268 km from Kanpur, 330 km from New Delhi, 334 km from Lucknow, 346 km from Jaipur, 448 km from Bhopal and 459 km from Allahabad, Gwalior is a historical city situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the important tourist places near Agra and also one of the top tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh.

One of the most beautiful cities of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior is very famous for its glorious history and rich cultural heritage. After being founded by Maharaja Suraj Sen in 8th century AD, Gwalior Fort was described as the pearl amongst fortresses in India. The city and its fortress have been ruled by several historic northern Indian kingdoms. From the Tomars in the 13th century, it was passed on to the Mughal Empire, then to the Maratha in 1754, followed by the Scindias in 18th century AD.

Well-known for its ancient temples, marvelous palaces and alluring monuments, Gwalior is the tourist capital of Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior is best known for being the birthplace of the great musician, Tansen. And apart from all this, Gwalior was also one among the five princely states that got the honor of 21 gun salute during the British rule. Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Mahal, Teli ka Mandir, Sun Temple, Gujari Mahal, Sas Bahu Temple, Man Mandir Palace are some of the popular places to visit in Gwalior. Gwalior ...

Distance from Indore: 500 Kms

At a distance of 24 km from Sanchi, and 44 km from Bhopal Junction, Raisen Fort is a historical edifice located in the town of Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. Situated atop a hill, it is one of the ancient forts in Madhya Pradesh, and among the popular places to visit near Bhopal.

Built-in 11th Century AD, Raisen Fort was an important center of administration from the period of its foundation from Hindu times. In the 15th century CE, this fort was ruled by the Sultans of Mandu, from whom it passed to the Rajputs. In 1543, Shershah Suri captured th fort from Puranmal. In Akbar's time, Raisen was the headquarter of a Sarkar in the Subah of Ujjain in Malwa. Fiaz Mohammad Khan, the third Nawab of Bhopal State occupied the fort in about 1760, later got himself recognized as Faujdar of Raisen by Emperor Alamgir II. Now, this fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Raisen Fort is spread over ten sq. km on a hill of more than 1500 high. The fort has a massive stone wall pierced with nine gateways. Adorned with a large courtyard and a beautiful pool in the middle, the Raisen Fort has four palaces namely Badal Mahal, Rohini Mahal, Itradaan Mahal & Hawa Mahal within its boundaries. The ancient fort also houses a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and a shrine dedicated to Muslim saint Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba. The doors of the temple open every year on the occasion of Shivratri. The fort also had ...

Distance from Indore: 250 Kms

At a distance of 8 km from Maheshwar Bus Station, Mandleshwar is a town and Nagar panchayat in the Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the Narmada River, it is one of the popular heritage places in Madhya Pradesh, and among the top places to visit near Indore.

Mandleshwar is a 'Pavitra Nagri' as termed by the government of Madhya Pradesh, as it is an ancient town. It is the education center as well as the political center of Maheshwar block, the location of the district court and district jail of Khargone. The 8th-century philosopher Mandana Misra reportedly lived in the town and debated with Aadya Guru Shankaracharya at the Gupteshwar Mahadev Temple. Mandleshwar was the headquarters for the Nimar Agency and cantonment from 1819 to 1864.

The town is well-known for its temples, fort complex, and bathing Ghats. The temples and fort of Mandleshwar have a remarkable charm due to the grandeur of its wonderful architecture that attracts many tourists. Shree Gupteshwar Mahadev Mandir, Chhappan-Dev, Shree Ram Temple, Shree Datta Temple, Ganga-Zira, and Kaashi Vishweshwar Temple are the popular temples situated in Mandleshwar. Dhawal-kunda and Hathani (islands), Sahastradhara, and Ram Kund are other places of historical significance. A flight of 123 steps leads down to the river and expands into the Ram Ghat, where the Ram, Hanuman, Dattatraya, and Ratneshwar Temples are located.

Besides, ...

Distance from Indore: 80 Kms

At a distance of 33 km from Panna and 65 km from Khajuraho, Ajaygarh Fort is an ancient fort situated at Ajaygarh in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh. Ajaygarh Fort is listed among the top attractions of the region.

Built at a height of 688 meters, Ajaigarh or Ajaygarh Fort stands on a flat-topped projection of Vindhya ranges. It was the capital of the Chandelas in their declining years. The fort is bordered by beautiful Vindhya Hills and provides absolutely stunning views of the Ken River. This grand fort is noted for its rich historical past and architectural beauty, which speaks volumes about the Chandela dynasty.

There is plenty to explore in the fort, which makes it a treat for history lovers. Ajaigarh Fort originally had five gates, but now only two gates are survived. There are two temples and two rock-cut tanks present inside the fort. These tanks have been named as Ganga and Yamuna. Close to it is a ruined Chandela temple, dedicated to Raja Parmardi deva. Three ruined Jain temples built in Khajuraho style have been traced here. The fort walls have been constructed with large, dressed, stones and no visible mortar.

One has to climb 500 steep steps to reach the fort entrance. There are no signboards, maps, info sources, human habitation at the top. It is not a well-developed place so one needs to carry water and food.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

At a distance of 58 km from Panna and 104 km from Khajuraho, Kalinjar Fort is a historical fort situated at Kalinjar in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the ancient forts in Madhya Pradesh and also one of the popular attraction not to miss in a Khajuraho tour Packages.

Kalinjar Fort is located on an isolated flat-topped hill in the Vindhya Range, with a height of 244 m above the plains. It is one of the eight famous forts built by Chandela kings. It served many ruling dynasties in the region, from Guptas to Solankis to the Chandela dynasty. Although many rulers fought fierce battles to win this fort, the Chandelas managed to control it for a long time. Mughal invader Babur was the only commander in history to have captured the fort in 1526 CE. It was also the place where Sher Shah Suri met his death in 1545 CE. Kalinjar played a prominent part in history down to the time of the Revolt of 1857, when it was held by a small British garrison.

Kalinjar Fort is a treasure trove for history lovers with its rich collection of monuments, temples and artefacts. The main body of the fort lies from east to west, oblong in form, being nearly a mile in length by half a mile in breadth. The fort has a height of 30-35 meter and 8 meter wide. Big sand stone and granite pieces are used to build the fort. The name of the fort was coined by using Kalinjar, which is related to the incident of Lord Shiva consuming the ...

At a distance of 24 km from Maheshwar, Navdatoli is an archaeological site located in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the opposite side of the shores of River Narmada, it is one of the important places of heritage near Indore, and among the top places of sightseeing in Maheshwar.

Discovered in 1950, it is regarded as a pre-historic site, which used to be the home for the various cultures starting from the Paleolithic period till the 18th century. The third period of occupation has been dated between 1500 BC and 1200 BC. Artifacts such as painted pottery of a forgotten age as well as many microliths were found on this site during the excavation. The site was excavated between 1957 and 1959 over two seasons.

The ruins of the ancient houses found here were either rectangle in shape or circular of around 3 m in circumference. These houses had bamboo walls and the roof was made of mud. Most houses had a fireplace and a stone slab that was used for grinding and mashing grain. Pottery of varying styles including Malwa, Jorwe, Black and Red Ware, Cream-Slipped Ware, and Grey-Ware were also commonly found within the houses. Similarities between Navdatoli pottery and certain Iranian ceramics have led some to believe the area was colonized by immigrants from the Northwest. It is estimated that on average roughly 150 individuals lived in the village in its earliest stage. Evidence of domestic ...

Distance from Indore: 96 Kms

At a distance of 94 km from Dhar, 102 km from Mandu, 117 km from Maheshwar, and 153 km from Indore, the Bagh Caves are ancient rock-cut caves situated along the southern slopes of the Vindhyas in Bagh town of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh. These are among the popular heritage in Madhya Pradesh, and among the major places to visit near Indore, and Mandu.

Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments renowned for mural paintings. Like Ajanta Caves, these caves were excavated by master craftsmen on the perpendicular sandstone rock face of a hill on the far bank of a seasonal stream, the Baghni. These caves are believed to have been built during the 5-6th century CE. A copper plate inscription of 416-17 CE by Maharaja Subandhu of Mahishmati, which is identified as the modern Maheshwar, talks about a grant for this Vihara. It is called Kalyana Vihara in the inscription. It is believed that a Buddhist monk named Dataka established Bagh Caves. The caves were probably abandoned with a fall in Buddhism, by 10th CE and later these caves became the abode of tigers of the region, hence getting the name Bagh.

Of the nine Buddhist caves, only five have survived. All of them are 'viharas' or resting places of monks' monasteries having a quadrangular plan. A small chamber, usually at the back, forms the 'chaitya', the prayer hall. Of the 5 better-preserved ...

At a distance of 36 km from Mandu, and 65 km from Indore, Dhar Fort is a historical fort situated in the Dhar city of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the top heritage sites near Indore, and among the must-visit places as part of Mandu holiday packages.

Dhar is an important medieval town and the erstwhile capital of Malwa Kingdom ruled by the Parmar dynasty from 800 - 1327 AD. Raja Bhoj, the most illustrious of the Parmaras shifted his capital from Ujjain to Dhar, where he established a university for Sanskrit studies, known as the Bhoja Shala. During the time of King Bhojdev (1010-1055), this fort was known as Dhar Giri Lilodyan. When Alauddin Khalji ascended the throne of Delhi, Islamic influence began to spread in Dhar, as a result of which in 1305 Ainul Mulk Multani, the general of Alauddin Khalji, attacked Malwa and killed the Parmara ruler Mahalakdev and ended the Parmar dynasty. Captured later, he renovated the fort and completed the work of fortification. In 1346, Muhammad bin Tughlaq also stayed for some time in this fort while going to Devgiri.

The Pawar dynasty captured this fort in 1732 AD and used it as a royal palace. During the Maratha struggle, Raghunath Rao's wife Anandi Bai took shelter here, and she gave birth to Peshwa Bajirao II at this place. Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan, also took refuge in this fort during the war with Aurangzeb. During the Revolt of 1857, Dhar ...

Distance from Indore: 65 Kms

At a distance of 19 km from Chanderi, Budhi Chanderi is a historical site located at Nidanpur near Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the most popular places of heritage in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must-visit tourist places near Chanderi.

Situated on the right bank of the Urr River, Boodhi Chanderi was a large settlement of the Gurjara Pratiharas and possibly their capital. Earlier called Chandrapuri, it was first discovered in 1865 by Alexander Cunningham, the first director of the Archaeological Survey of India. Later, the German traveler Claus Boone also visited the place. The ASI Museum of Chanderi was associated with the place of Budhi Chanderi.

The site consists of the ruins of around 55 Jain temples, most of which are in ruins. The temples here are believed to have been built between the 9th - 11th centuries by the Pratihara kings. The architecture is similar to that of the Badoh Pathari Jain temple. Surprisingly, some of the structures possibly saw restoration during the Bundela period as some of the superstructures have features of the Bundela architectural style. One inscription, dated to the beginning of the 16th century, has been found carved on a sati pillar which mentions the name of the place as Nasirabad, after the ruler Nasiruddin Khilji. This implies that a small settlement might have existed even during the Muslim rule and it might not have been as abandoned as it is today.

The ASI has collected more than 2500 artifacts from Budhi ...

At a distance of 21 km from Jabalpur, Chausath Yogini Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Bhedagaht near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near Dhuandhar Falls, it is one of the oldest heritage sites in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Jabalpur packages.

Mainly dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Chausath Yogini Temple was built in the 10th century by the Kalachuris kings and it still stands tall atop a hill, enticing tourists and devotees from different parts of India. As the name ('Chausath' meaning sixty-four) suggests, the temple has 64 shrines built along the walls of its circular premises, each containing a carved figure of a Yogini, and a central shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

The Kalachuri-built structure had only the Yoginis while the central shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati was built around two years later. According to the inscriptions, Queen Alhanadevi, the widowed wife of Kalachuri King Gayakarna built the Gauri-Shankara temple in 1155 CE during the rule of her son Narasimhadeva. However, in the later centuries, with the advent of Islamic rulers, like many other Hindu temples of India, the Chausath Yogini Temple also went through partial destruction and disfiguration of idols. However, the central shrine remains unblemished.

The architecture of the temple is simple and bears a similar ...

At a distance of 27 km from Burhanpur, Asirgarh Fort is a historical fort situated at Asirgarh village near Burhanpur. Located on Asha Devi Road, it is one of the major places of heritage near Indore, and among the prime places to visit as part of Burhanpur packages.

Stands impregnable in the Satpura Ranges, Asirgarh Fort is said to have been built by a king named Asa Ahir in the early 15th century. He was murdered by Nasir Khan of Khandesh. Nasir Khan's descendant Miran Bahadur Khan (1596-1600) declared independence and refused to pay homage to Mughal emperor Akbar. Enraged, Akbar marched Burhanpur in 1599 and captured the entire city. He then also besieged the fort and captured it in 1601. The fortress was later held by the Marathas, and it was twice captured, in 1803 and 1819, by the British. This fort has been deserted following the departure of the British.

This is the fort where Mughal Emperor Jahangir imprisoned his eldest son, the rebellious Prince Khusraw after blinding him, and he was allegedly murdered by Prince Khurram, the third son of Emperor Jahangir. History came haunting back when Shah Jahan's beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal died here while giving birth to her fourteenth child. Mumtaz Mahal was first buried in Burhanpur, before ultimately finding a place to rest at the inimitable Taj Mahal. Asirgarh was also the seat of Emperor ...

Distance from Indore: 164 Kms

At a distance of 6 km from Asirgarh Fort, and 25 km from Burhanpur, Moti Mahal is an ancient structure located in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. Situated near Asirgarh Fort, it is one of the must-visit places as part of Burhanpur holiday packages.

Moti Mahal is located on the bank of Pondhari river to the south-east of village Moti Mahal. This beautiful two-storeyed monument was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Moti Begum. The architecture of the palace represents an amalgamation of Mughal-Rajput styles. The lower portion of the palace was made of stones while the second story was made of bricks and lime with a flight of steps to reach there.

There are four large rooms with balconies on the first floor of the building. Two huge domes on top of two rooms gave it the shape of a mahal. Chhajjas are built-in north-south portion on the second storey. There is a courtyard in the center with rooms built on both sides. One of the lawns has the grave of Shahjehan's lover Moti Begum. Due to environmental factors, many portions of the palace had been badly damaged especially wall plaster and flooring. To arrest further damage or deterioration the department took up a restoration drive. Moti Mahal can be visited along with Asirgarh fort and is located around 3.5 Km away from the highway on the other side of the Asirgarh fort.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free

At a distance of 13 km from Burhanpur Railway Station, Ahukhana is an ancient monument located in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the banks of River Tapti, it is one of the best sightseeing places in Burhanpur.

The grandeur of the Taj Mahal and the love of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and empress Mumtaz Mahal are well-known throughout the world. This white marble mausoleum attracts seven to eight million people each year. However, barely any tourist knows that it is not the original place where the mortal remains of Mumtaz Mahal, the most beloved queen of Emperor Shah Jahan, were kept. History has it that towards the south-west of Agra, in the slow-paced town of Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, is located the original mausoleum of Mumtaz, the beloved wife of Shah Jahan.

During the Deccan campaign, Shah Jahan had shifted base from Delhi to Burhanpur. He settled down at the Shahi Quila close to the Tapti River in Burhanpur sometime in the late 1620s. The Ahukhana was built in the 16th century as a deer park for Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The garden sprawled over six miles, with two main structures, a small palace adorned with traceries, and a pillared pavilion known as the baradari. On the north, there is a tank in which a raised platform was constructed. The area is enclosed by a compound wall and a big garden.

As per the historians, on her deathbed, after giving birth to ...

Distance from Indore: 191 Kms

At a distance of 30 km from Bhopal Junction, and 34 km from Bhimbetka, Bhojpur Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located at Bhojpur in Madhya Pradesh. Also known as Bhojeshwar Temple, it is one of the beautiful shrines located near Bhimbetka and among the popular places to visit as part of Bhopal Tour Packages.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Bhojeshwar Temple is an incomplete Hindu temple believed to have started in the 11th century CE, during the reign of the Paramara king Bhoja. The Jain writer Merutunga, in his Prabandha-Chintamani, states that Bhoja constructed 104 temples in his capital city of Dhara alone. However, the Bhojpur temple is the only surviving shrine that can be attributed to Bhoja with some certainty. The construction was abandoned for unknown reasons, with the architectural plans engraved on the surrounding rocks. The temple has been protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Bhojpur Mandir is a simple square with an outside portion of 66 feet. Although the temple is incomplete, it has a magnificent soaring strength of line and is supported by four pillars. The doorway is richly carved and, has two exquisitely sculpted figures on either side. The other three sides are balconies each supported by massive brackets and four intricately carved pillars.

Also known as the 'Somnath of North India', the Bhojpur Temple houses a 7.5 feet (2.3 m) high Shivalingam, carved out of a single rock. Set upon a massive platform of ...

Distance from Indore: 222 Kms

At a distance of 7 km from Vidisha, and 10 km from Sanchi Railway Station, Udayagiri Caves or Udaigiri Caves are a group of rock-cut caves located at Udaigiri village in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in India, and among the must include places in Sanchi Tour Packages.

Udayagiri, literally means the 'sunrise mountain', was a Buddhist and Hindu site by the 2nd century BCE. The place is also referred to as Visnupadagiri which means the hill at 'the feet of Vishnu'. The Udayagiri Caves are a group of 20 rock-cut caves near Vidisha from the early years of the 5th century CE. They contain some of the oldest surviving Hindu temples and iconography in India. Besides, these caves have rock-cut water tanks, and some have shrines and monuments on top.

Out of 20 caves, one is dedicated to Jainism, while others to Hinduism including Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Shaivism. The Jain Cave is notable for one of the oldest known Jaina inscriptions from 425 CE, while the Hindu caves feature inscriptions from 401 CE. Cave 1 is the southernmost cave which is also considered to be a false cave since the side and the front were added later on. There are four pillars and the back wall has a deity carved onto it. Cave 2 is located north of Cave 1 but is still in the southern group and has traces of two pilasters. And there is also evidence of a structural mandapa underneath its roof.

Cave 3, also known as Skanda Temple, is the first one of the ...

Distance from Indore: 247 Kms

At a distance of 14 km from Sanchi, Satdahara is an archaeological site of an ancient monastic complex of Buddhist stupas in Madhya Pradesh. Overlooking Halali River, it is one of the must include places in the Buddhist Circuit of Central India, and among the top places to visit near Sanchi.

As the Buddhist community flourished around Sanchi, new settlements of worshippers appeared in the region. Although these settlements had a physical and spiritual link to Sanchi, they also built their stupas and monasteries. There are four groups of stupas surrounding Sanchi within a radius of 20 km - Bhojpur and Andher to the southeast, Sonari to the southwest, and Satdhara in the west. Further south, about 100 km away, is Saru Maru.

There are 8 stupas spread across 28 acres of land on the banks of Halali River. The main stupa is almost as large as the Great Stupa of Sanchi and would have also been built during Emperor Ashoka's reign. The main Stupa of the site is similar to that of Sanchi having remains of railings. It is 13.65 m high excluding the platform with a diameter of 32.80 m. Recent excavations have revealed brick pradakshinapatha & staircase of the Stupa.

There are some ruins near the stupa comprising a monastery and temple remains which are collectively called siddh ka makaan which is indicative of Satdhara's most enlightened monks once having lived there.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free

Distance from Indore: 230 Kms

At a distance of 16 km from Aurangabad Railway Station, Daulatabad is an ancient hill fort situated on the way to Ellora Caves from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It is one of the best-preserved places of heritage in Maharashtra, and also one of the best Aurangabad tourist places.

The historical triangular fort of Daulatabad was built by Yadava king Bhillama V in 1187 AD. It is one of the best historical places near Pune. The city was then called 'Deogiri', meaning the hill of gods. Daulatabad or 'the abode of wealth' was the name given by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq when he made his capital here in 1327 AD. The region and the fort passed on into the hands of Bahamani rulers under Hasan Gangu in 1347 AD and Nizam Shahis of Ahmednagar in 1499 AD. Daulatabad became the capital of the Nizam Shahi dynasty in 1607 AD. The fort passed several hands, captured and re-captured by the Mughals, Marathas, Peshwas, and finally placed under the control of the Nizams of Hyderabad in 1724 AD till independence. It is one of the most visited places as part of Aurangabad tour packages.

Daulatabad Fort was one of the most powerful forts during the medieval period. Built on a 200 m high conical hill, the fort was defended by a moat and a glacis. ...

Distance from Indore: 393 Kms

At a distance of 33 km from Kumbhalgarh Fort, and 97 km from Udaipur, Ranakpur Jain Temple is a holy place situated at Ranakpur near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan. Ranakpur is one of the five most important Jain pilgrimage sites of India and among the most famous places of pilgrimage in Rajasthan.

These Jain temples are dedicated to Lord Adinath, who was the first Jain Tirthankara. The most popular of the Jain temples present in the place include the Chaumukha Temple. Ranakpur is one of the prominent pilgrimage places to visit near Udaipur. Maharana Kumbha allotted land and encouraged his minister Dharana Shah to build this famous Jain temple. Dharana Shah under the spiritual influence of Acharya Somasundarsuriji has selected the plan of Depak of Mundara to construct the temple. The construction of the temple began in the year 1446 and in 1496 the idol was installed.

The temple is dedicated to Tirthankara Adinath, and is one of the famous places to visit as part of Kumbhalgarh tour. The complex structure of the temple has four separate entrance doors to penetrate the chambers. These chambers lead to the main hall or garbhagriha, where the idol of Lord Adinath is placed. The four-faced image of the Lord suggests the pursuit of Tirthankara's for the four directions and eventually ...

Distance from Indore: 493 Kms

At a distance of 24 km from Udaipur, Eklingji Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Eklingji or Kailashpuri town in Udaipur district of Rajasthan. It is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in Rajasthan, and among the top places to visit near Udaipur.

Eklingji Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the tutelary deity of the former Mewar rulers. Ek means 'one' while ling means 'lingum or the life giving phallic symbol of Lord Shiva'. The patron deity of the Mewar clan is considered the actual ruler of the region while the kings are merely the Dewan (or the Prime Minister) of this God of Mewar. Initially, the temple was built in 734 AD by Bappa Rawal, the founder of the Mewar dynasty. In the later years, it was repaired and modified by various Kings, to clean the remnants of obliteration made by the attacks of Mohammedans.

The temple complex is located on the banks of Indersagar Lake. The beautifully sculpted temple complex includes 108 temples within its high walls, made out of marble and sandstone. The main Shrine is a double storied building, looks magnificent with its pyramidal style of roof and beautifully carved tower. The temple sanctum sanctorum houses a four faced black stone statue of Lord Shiva with Brahma facing west, Vishnu facing north, Shiva facing south and Surya facing east.

Outside the temple are the statues of Nandi, ...

Distance from Indore: 421 Kms

At a distance of 30 km from Nashik, Sinnar is a town and a municipal council in Sinnar taluka of Nashik district in Maharashtra. Sinnar is mainly famous for Sri Gondeshwar Temple and Gargoti Museum. It is one of the famous places to visit near Aurangabad.

Gondeshwar Temple is situated about 2 km from Sinnar Bus Station and it represents the best example of the Hemadpanti style of architecture. The structure was constructed using the locally available black basalt stone and lime. The temple's origin dates back to 12 - 13th century during the Yadava dynasty. Some sources claim that Raj Govinda of the Yadava dynasty built this great temple. Yet another tradition assigns the building to Govindaraja, another Yadava king who ruled about the beginning of the twelfth century AD.

It is a Shaiva Panchayatan or a group of five temples within a large enclosure. The central shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the remaining four temples are dedicated to goddess Parvati, Sri Ganapathi, Surya Bhagwan, and Lord Vishnu. This is the largest, most complete, and best-preserved example of the medieval temples of the Deccan of the Indo-Aryan style.

The temple is an astonishing display of stone carvings and sculptures portraying the stories from the Puranas, Mahabharata & Ramayana. Sculptures of Gods, Goddesses, Apsaras, Yakshas, Kinnaras, and Gandharvas adorn the entire complex. The temple of Lord Shiva is beautifully ...

Distance from Indore: 434 Kms

At a distance of 49 km from Vadodara, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the ancient city of Champaner. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Gujarat, and among the prime places to visit as part of Vadodara tour packages.

Covering over an area of 1,329 hectares, Champaner - Pavagadh Archeological Park is located around the historical city of Champaner, founded by the Rajput King Vanraj Chavda in the 8th century. Due to its strategic point on the trade routes, it lured many invaders including Khalji Dynasty, Chauhan Gurjars, Solanki kings, Khichi Chauhans. Later Mahmud Begada captured the city in 1484 and rebuilt Champaner into a splendid new capital. The region faced major devastation in 1535 CE when looted by Mughal Emperor, Humayun who made Ahmedabad the capital city again to control Gujarat. This marked the start of the decline of Champaner, which slowly fell into ruins. Later, ASI had rediscovered the city with 39 standing monuments that are a beautiful confluence of Hindu, Jain, and Islamic architectural styles.

Among the prominent heritage sites near Ahmedabad, it was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2004. The heritage site is studded with prehistoric (chalcolithic) sites, a hill fortress of the early Hindu capital, ...

Distance from Indore: 307 Kms

At a distance of 28 km from Mehsana, 35 km from Patan and 100 km from Ahmedabad, Modhera Sun Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located at Modhera village near Patan in Gujarat. Situated on the banks of River Pushpavati, it is one of the popular places of heritage in India, and among the must include places in Patan packages.

Dedicated to the Sun God, the Sun Temple in Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty in 1026 AD, and is one of the prominent heritage sites near Ahmedabad. This temple not only reflects the architectural abilities of the Solanki rulers but also, speaks highly of the devotional zeal of the ruling dynasty at that time. As in the Sun Temple at Konark, this temple was also designed that the first rays of the Sun fall on the image of Lord Surya at the time equinoxes. The temple was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni but still the architectural grandeur does not vanish. At present, no worship is offered here and the temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. It was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2014.

Built-in Maha-Gurjara style, the temple complex is divided into three parts - the main temple with a Garbha Griha and Guda Mandap, a detached Sabha Mandap, and Surya Kunda. Also known as Rama Kund, Surya Kund is a rectangular ...

Distance from Indore: 480 Kms