MANDU District : Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh Location : Located in Valley Vindhayas Mountain Famous As : Honeymoon Destination Altitude : 634 mts

Bhopal Gwalior

Indore Khajuraho

Pachmarhi Jabalpur

Mandu – City of Joy

• Rural Charms

Take a tour of Mandu to feel the plethora of a perfect honeymoon destination. However, even if you are not honeymooning you are also invited to the city of joy. Monsoon is the time when the romantic tales of Rani Roopmati and Baz Bahadur is in the air. This is the perfect time to visit this lovers destination as it is otherwise known. The gem of architecture, it is recalled as the celebration of stone. It is like a diamond mine where shiny crystals of monuments are scattered here and there.

The History : Inter fusion of Fact and Legend

• History

The history of the town is a reason itself that attracts thousands of tourist to visit the land of the lovers. The curtains lifted from the face of Mandu in the early 10th century under the Mughal rules that lasted till the 16th century. It was this period when Mandu enjoyed the status of a pleasure resort. Mandu has regularly been inflicted with the virtue of being throned and dethroned. This is the cause of the great mixture of various culture that is incontestable and is survived by its people.

The much hyped legend this town revolved around the love story of a poet prince, Baz Bahadur with his consort Rani Roopmati. This story of love and romance still echoes in the songs of the Malwa balladeers. Visit this city and try to comprehend the language of the air that still tells the fairy tail love story of the poet prince and the princess.

Bestowed With Richness – Mandu Attractions

Mandu has a rich cultural and heritage. This raised plateau has undulating contrasts of greens, blues and browns. Arcaded pavilions and pillared kiosks, turrets and cupolas crown this erratic yet clairvoyant land. Your tour will not be complete unless you revere these heritage gems. The major attractions in Mandu have been biramous in three categories – Royal Enclave, Village group, Rewa Kund Group.

Royalty of the Royal Enclave

• Monuments

Want to see the royal legacy of Mandu, come to the group that is better known as the royal enclave. There is the Jahazi Mahal also called the Ship palace. It is a 120 m long two storeyed palace interpolated between the two artificial lakes of Munj Talao and Kapur Talao. Purported to have been built by the Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khilji, for his harem, notice the elaborately constructed pavilions, balconies aloft the water and open terrace. One must experience the beauty of the palace on moonlit nights from the adjoining Taveli mahal. The view of these dome shaped stilettos at night is an memorable experience.
Want to feel some dangling, come to the swinging palace which is known as Hindola Mahal. This was the audience hall of Ghiyas-ud-din, and its most prominent feature is the groundbreaking techniques involved in the construction. Once you are through with enjoying the aura of the palace, you must visit the unidentified remains around the mahal.
Champa Baoli is a step well located on the northern side. Known for its cool wells and bathrooms, it was popular as the hot weather retreat. This underground well had distinct ventilation and if catering to the legend, this area smelt of the fragrant Champa flower.
Another attraction of this group is the Dilwara Mosque, the first Islamic representation in Mandu. One can find a clear impact of Hindu architecture in the entrance, columns and ceilings of the mosque. Near to this mosque is a famous ruins of a balcony called the Nahar Jharoka or Tiger balcony. The reason behind this name is that earlier there was a statue of a tiger that was used for support. You must see the mammoth Hathi ka Pol (Elephant gate), at the entryway which is fringed by the presence of two elephants. The wells around this gate, is also an important attraction.
You must surely visit the Taveli haveli, which served as the guard house and stable in earlier times and now has been converted into an archaeological museum. Today, it is renowned for the historical remains that were excavated from this site.

Village Group - Heritage Around the Village

• Pilgrim Destinations

This group comprises the residential area ans the important attractions around it. Want to see India's very first marble monument. Then the first stop in this section of your tour will be the Tomb of Hoshang Shah, a genteel example of the Afghan architecture. This is indeed the monument that inspired Shah Jahan to design the Taj Mahal. Similar to the architecture of that of the famous Taj Mahal, the initial eight sided square base rises up to become 16 sided. Notice the a well-proportioned dome, complex marble fretwork and porticoes of the courts and towers. The doorway carries rose and lotus flowers with blue decorative stars.
Very close to the tomb is the Jami Masjid, influence by the Omayyed Mosque in Damascus and is the most celebrated monument in the town. This domed mosque is enclosed by huge structures and the qibla (direction for the muslim prayer) of the mosque with 17 bulwark is the highlight of the mosque. There are versions of quran inscribed on it and one can visit this mosque everyday between seven thirty in the morning to five in the evening.
Come to embrace the palace of gold coins, better known as the Ashrafi Mahal. Standing opposite the Jami masjid this was built by Mahmud Shah Khalji and served the purpose of Madarsa (place of learning) since its inception. Though it is in a pitiable condition today, however, the rooms for the resident students have been well preserved. In late 15th century it was converted into a tomb by Mahmud I. You must visit the remains of the then seven towered building that was built by Mahmud Shah to celebrate his triumph over Rajput king Rana Kumbh.
All those who want to visit the the only temple among the Muslim architecture, head towards the Jain temples in Mandu. It is a group of temples with extensive decorations and idols of trithankaras of marble, silver and gold, some with lustrous jade eyes, are kept inside. Once you are here do not miss strolling around the theme park that leads to the Jain museum.

Rewa Kund - Vigilant of the Mortal Love

While touring the city of Mandu, the most interesting area to be visited is the Rewa Kund which is also described as the site of legendary romance. This beautifully seeped poetry of the lovers goes beyond the heights of delightedness and benevolence. The Muslim poet prince Baz Bahadur, while hunting, by chance came upon the beauteous and comely Hindu shepherdess. Enchanted by her knockout beauty, he coaxed her to live with him in his palace. But she agreed only on the condition that a palace facing the king's palace should be her abode. The result of this compliance gave us what we call the monumental heritage of Rewa Kund.
There is a Grand Reservoir here which can be reached after consummating the 3.22 kms long trek. This is positively the place where the love of Baz Bahdurand his consort Rani Roopmati flourished. The Palace of Baz Bahadur, is roosted comfortably on the hills is an arresting fusion of the Rajput and Muslim architecture. The most exclusive highlight of this palace in the spacious open court halls and rooms on the four sides. You must see the two baradaris offering a lovely view of the countryside, to the south end of the terrace of the palace.
The most noteworthy palace of this group is the Pavilion of Rani Roopmati. Though it was initially constructed to be an army post, later it was converted into the house of Rani Roop mati. It was built in three stages during the 15th century. You must not miss the sunset from this point as it is truly sensational.

Components of the Unregistered Group

Besides the monuments that have found in the list of groups, there are other monuments as well that needs to be acknowledged. Your trip will not be complete until you witness the grand Delhi gate, which serves as the pivot point of the fort, entrance. Notice the paths that were once depleted by the elephants.
Other place of interest will be the Mandu palace, that has a series of ornamented gateways. Built by the waste stone and rubbles, it originally extended 59.5km in circumference. The valley of Kakra Khoh surrounding the palace, is also an important junction one should not avoid.

Shop for Some Tribal Influence

• Shopping

Shopping is another drawing card of Mandu. Untouched by urbanization and modernity, one can see the fruits of labour that goes inside making each of the items. The essence of ethnicity is maintained to the core of and the old bazaars of the town are the best place to buy the traditional artifacts of the town. Here you will not find very elaborate things,due to the lack of colonization, however, the petty and decorative items you will get here will not be available anywhere else on the globe. Look for some home décor, gift items, wall pieces and showpieces. The colorful textiles and fabrics are an essential buy. The native and tribal reflection can be clearly be sought in these. Even the handicrafts of the town will have a prominent rumination of the tribal art of Vindhyachal (Malwa) area. Due to its small vicinity of the area is the reason that there are not big glazed markets. You can but things from the local stores in located in the old bazaars of the town. So do not waste any time. From distance the options may see to be not many, but once you are there you will feel short of time for just exploring the colourful bazaars of Mandu.

Your Gateway to The City of Joy

Mandu, which is at a distance of 100 kilometers, has the nearest airport. Indore is very well accessible from the major cities of the country. From there you can hire a bus or a jeep for Mandu. In case you prefer travelling by the train, then Ratlam, on Mumbai – Delhi highway line, is the nearest junction. You can also board the train from Indore and than reach Mandu. This small town is connected with well linked roads. Buses run regularly from Indore via Dhar, Ratlam and even Bhopal.