A palace full of history in the midst of modern industries is the Rajwada Palace in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Also called Holkar Palace, it was built by Maratha rulers.
The fun and unique fact about this palace is that the Southern front structure resembles the Marathi architecture whereas, the northern front structure resembles European architecture. It is said to be built in three styles that is the Marathi, French, and Mughal.
The current structure of Rajwada Palace is rectangular with tube-shaped supporters situated on the four corners. There is a temple attached to the palace which is behind the palace.
The temple also built-in Marathi style. The temple is known as Rajwada temple. The palace is opened for all seven days a week. The timing to visit the Palace is 10 am to 5 pm.
History
The palace was built about 200 years ago by the Maratha rulers who familiarized Indore with incredible culture and have been responsible for the significant changes the city has seen.
The royal palace was developed by the Muslim craftsmen who came here from Mandu. They worked for the Mughals yet settled down in Malwa along with their families. The castle was burnt many times. But the greatest destruction was caused during the 1984 riots. The lower three floors of the castle are made of stone while the upper floors are made of wood and made them prone to fire.
How to reach
The Rajwada Palace is located in the heart of the city near M.G. road, Chattris, and the main square. Thus, it is easy to reach the palace through any means of transport.
The most convenient would be a taxi, as it would pick you up from your place and drop you in front of the palace. Whereas, it has a slight disadvantage that it would take you a little longer to reach as the roads are narrow and the traffic jams occur frequently. It would cost you around Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 depending upon the location you are coming from.
The other way can be through an E-rickshaw. It might not be the first choice for some to travel but it definitely is the best choice in Indore’s market area. It will help you in saving time which can be utilized in exploring another place. The E-rickshaw will be charging you Rs. 20 to Rs. 40 per person.
In case you are traveling from some other city. The best option is a train. Reach the Indore railway station and from there you can easily hire a taxi and reach your desired location.
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Local Cuisine
Indore is famous for its variety of food items. The most popular one has to be the Indoori patties. They are different from the normal patties and contain stuffing of various other things inside. It is a must-try when in Indore.
Indore is also famous for its street food. There is a market known as ‘Sarafa Bazaar’ which is known for late-night street food only. The whole market gets lit up in the evening and so many people visit there just to eat and enjoy the nightlife. The area remains busy till past midnight.
The food items you must try there are:
- Poha Jalebi
- Khatta Samosa
- Dahi Vade
- Indoori Namkeen
- Khopra Patties
- Faluda Kulfi
Accommodation
As it is well known by everyone that Indore is an industrial city. Therefore, finding good hotels might be a bigger task for tourists as you will not be able to decide which one to choose from. Here is a list of a few hotels and homestays you can refer to while planning your trip to Indore.
- Sayaji Hotel (Premium hotel)
Price – Rs. 4,500/per night (approximately)
- Clarion Inn (Deluxe hotel)
Price – Rs.2,800/per night (approximately)
- Astha Lakshmi Tourist homestay (Budget-friendly)
Price – Rs. 800/per night (approximately)
Suggestions
- Check before you plan to visit the palace as sometimes visitors are not allowed to enter due to construction.
- Best time to visit is during the evenings as the weather is nice and the market is all set.
- Preferably, travel in your own vehicle. A two-wheeler would be the best choice.
- There is a separate camera fee if you are carrying your camera.
- The entrance to the temple is from outside the palace and not inside.
- Carry your identification card in case they ask for it at the entrance.
Conclusion
The Rajwada Palace has a well-maintained garden that has a statue of Queen Ahilya Bai, a man-made waterfall, and a few beautiful fountains as well. Indeed, even after so long, the palace keeps on being one of the most renowned attractions in Indore and is one of the most established structures as well. The Government also plays a vital role in maintaining the palace. Thus, it is closed at times for renovation work. Definitely, visit this palace which will tell about the Holgar dynasty from its every corner.
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