Madhya Pradesh
Visit Indore
Commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh
Indore is India's cleanest city seven years running (Swachh Survekshan) and Madhya Pradesh's commercial capital. It's the gateway to Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, 55 km) and Omkareshwar (Jyotirlinga, 78 km). The food scene at Sarafa Bazaar (10 PM–2 AM) is famous nationwide.
Population
~2.1 million
Elevation
553 m
State
Madhya Pradesh
Airport
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar (IDR)
Famous for
Cleanest city, Sarafa food, Holkar heritage
Best time to visit
October – March
Top attractions
Places to visit in Indore
Pre-book a CityTaxis cab for any of these — same driver, multiple stops, fixed fare.
Rajwada Palace
200-year-old Holkar palace blending Mughal, Maratha, and French architecture. Lit up beautifully at night.
Sarafa Bazaar
Jewellery market by day, India's most famous street-food strip by night (10 PM – 2 AM).
Lal Bagh Palace
Holkar dynasty palace with European-style halls, chandeliers, and gardens — one of India's grandest royal residences.
Khajrana Ganesh Temple
250-year-old Ganesh temple — locals swear by Wednesday darshans. Free langar after morning aarti.
Patalpani Waterfall
A 90-metre fall 35 km from Indore in the Mhow region. Spectacular in monsoon.
History
How Indore got here
Indore was a small village on the Saraswati and Khan river junction until the Holkar dynasty made it their capital in the 18th century. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar (1767–1795) — one of the most respected administrators in Indian history — transformed Indore into a centre of temple-building, trade, and welfare. The city grew under the Marathas, became a princely state under the British, and after independence joined Madhya Bharat (later Madhya Pradesh).
Culture
Festivals, art, and life
- Anant Chaturdashi — a 50-foot Ganesh procession that draws lakhs.
- Rangpanchami procession — five days after Holi, considered the real Holi of Indore.
- Marathi, Malwi, and Gujarati communities all heavily represented — the city is a true melting pot.
- MICA's annual food festival celebrates Indore's status as India's snack capital.
Cuisine
What to eat
- Poha-jalebi — the iconic Indore breakfast pairing.
- Bhutte ki kees — grated corn cooked with spices, a Sarafa staple.
- Garadu — fried yam tossed with chaat masala.
- Sabudana khichdi — light, lemony, perfect upvas food.
- Shikanji — Indori shikanji is a creamy, masala-flavoured drink, not just lemonade.
Get around Indore with CityTaxis
CityTaxis covers all of Indore (Vijay Nagar, Rajwada, MR-10, MG Road) plus airport (IDR) transfers and the popular Ujjain and Omkareshwar darshan routes. Local rides start at ₹500.
See Indore cab faresMore guides
