ManduKnown as an architectural marvelfor its ancient forts that are incomplete harmony with nature,Mandu in Madhya Pradesh is anarchaeologist’s and photographer'streat. Thronged by many touristsevery year, these locales are highlyalluring and replete with all thedelights of nature in the form ofplateaus, rivers, thick greenerycoupled with amazing architecture.

This Pdf and its contents are copyright ©2013,ixigo.com, all rights reserved. ixigo logo, thecharacter and all other marks displayed herein areregistered and/or common law trademarks ofixigo.com and/or third parties.

Famous For : City

Another treasure in the heart of India,Mandu is a town encased in history andwrapped in mythology. It was established aslong back as in the 6th century AD, and hassince then been under the rule of variousemperors from the Rajput Parmara rulers ofMalwa, to the Mughal Emperor Humayun.This varied history also led to a lot ofarchitectural variation, such as imposingDarwazas, the river flanked Jahaz Mehal, thesloping walled fort- Hindola Mahal and theexample of refined Afghan architecture,Hoshang Shah's Tomb. The Lohani Cavesand Temple Ruins, and the Neelkanth PalaceAnd Temple also make for exiciting day tripswhen in Mundu. The marvellousconstructions from eras gone by coupledwith scenic landscapes draw a lot of touriststo this destination.

Mandu in the monsoon is easily one of themost romantic of places. The advantages ofits hilly location come alive, the pastel

Mandu Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/mandu page 1

shades of its centuries-old monuments areset off by the brilliant natural green setting,and the loveliness is doubled because it’sreflected in omnipresent, voluptuous waterbodies — talaos, baolis, kunds, streams,rivulets…. Mandu can be best described as ahill-fortress, spread over a flat hilltop, 6 kmby 8 km in dimension, easily covered onfoot, teeming with architecture, history andpossibility. It owes its existence to theParmar kings who carved out anindependent kingdom here in the 8thcentury CE. As you go up the hill,unexpected lakes shimmer after every turn,and flower-decked trees frame distant viewsof some old fort darwaza, standing withgrave dignity. You have to picture a flatlandcalled the Malwa Plateau, from which rise anumber of hills that form the crest of theVindhya Range.

Successive kings abundantly appreciated theenchantment as well as the possibilities of afortification at such a site. The Parmar kings,the Sultans of Malwa and the Mughals turnMandu into a palimpsest of signaturefortifications and palaces. They seem tohave built with an unerring eye, using theundulating heights and plenitude of waterbodies as the main architectural feature.And to cap it all, Mandu is the theatre forthe sad and enduring legend of RaniRupmati and her romance with Sultan BazBahadur.

When To

VISIThttp://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-mandu-lp-1051091

JanCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 23.7°C Min: 9.4°C Rain: 21.6mm

FebCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 26.6°C Min: 12.6°C Rain: 22.3mm

MarPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 31.2°C Min: 16.9°C Rain: 28.9mm

AprPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 35.6°C Min: 21.1°C Rain: 27.2mm

MayPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 36.9°C Min: 23.5°C Rain: 54.8mm

JunPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 33.2°C Min: 23.4°C Rain: 259.0mm

JulPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 29.8°C Min: 22.7°C Rain: 333.6mm

AugPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.

Mandu Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/mandu page 2

Max: 29.3°C Min: 22.4°C Rain: 321.7mm

SepPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 29.4°C Min: 21.6°C Rain: 254.8mm

OctPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 28.9°C Min: 18.7°C Rain: 92.7mm

NovCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 26.6°C Min: 13.8°C Rain: 18.8mm

DecCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 24.0°C Min: 9.9°C Rain: 9.5mm

What To

SEE5 Sights

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-mandu-lp-1051091

1 Royal Complex

35 km from Dhar, Mandu, MadhyaPradesh 454010, India

Sandwiched between two large poolsof  water (Munja Talao and KapurTalao),  the star attraction in Royal Complex is theJahaz  Mahal or ShipPalace. This long and  narrow palace is reflected in thewaters  like a ship at sea, as its namesuggests.  The unique structure matches the  colourful life of its builder Ghiyas-ud- Din (1469-1500). With pavilions and domes, it is  open and spacious. The terracesports  the rare juxtaposition of both round  and less-seen conical domes. 

2 Hoshang's Tomb

Jahaj Mahal internal Road, Mandu,Mandav, Madhya Pradesh 454010,India

Dedicated to Hoshang Shah, the firstappointed Islamic king of the Malwa region,this square shaped tomb is situated nearthe Jami Masjid, in the Mandu City.Hoshang’s Tomb served as a template forShah Jahan, while constructing the Taj Mahalas it was the first marble monument to bebuilt in the country. It is known for itsexquisite proportions, carvings andornamentations. The main sarcophagus ofthe king is carved in the form of a casketand themihrab moulded on top.

Dharmashala, a colonnade divided intothree aisles by rows of pillars is presentwithin the tomb. It portrays a beautifulamalgamation of the Hindu and Islamicstyles of architectures.

3 Jahaz Mahal

Jahaz Mahal, Mandav, MadhyaPradesh, India

A part of the Royal Complex, this lengthyand narrow palace reflecting in the watersfeels like a ship at sea. The unique playfulstructure of theJahaz Mahal matches the colourful life of itsbuilder Ghiyas-ud-Din (1469-1500). The king,apparently not content with the bevy of15,000 beauties in his seraglio, surroundedhimself with “500 beautiful and youngTurkish females in men’s clothes and anequal number of Abyssinian females, all inuniform and armed…” says historianFarishta.

With many pavilions and domes, the mahalis open and spacious. In a rare juxtaposition,the terrace has both round and conicaldomes. The place is also the site where NurJahan is said to have killed four tigers withsix bullets in 1617. Jahaz Mahal hostedJehangir on an evening when, according tothe Emperor, “they lighted lanterns all roundthe tanks and buildings…. It appeared as ifthe whole surface of the tank was a plain offire. A grand entertainment took place andthe drunkards indulged themselves toexcess!” The ASI has housed anArchaeological Museum in Taveli Mahal, infront of theJahaz Mahal. Here you can see remnants ofa rich past.

4 Hindola Mahal

Mandu Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/mandu page 3

Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, India

A part of the Royal Complex, Hindola Mahal (Swing Palace) is named sobecause of the perceptible tilt of its sidewalls, giving an illusion that the monumentis swaying. Its jaalis, tracery work, widearches and ‘swinging’ walls, all add to itsappeal. You can have a pleasant timewandering behind Hindola Mahal, in adream-like mesh of ruined palaces, thecharming Champa Baoli where waterapparently had the fragrance of champakflowers, tahkhanas (cool undergroundrooms), a hamam, a theatre, and yetanother Jal Mahal located on the MunjaTalao.

5 Ujali Baoli

Nalchha, Dhar, Mandu, MadhyaPradesh

Where To

Eat3 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-mandu-lp-1051091

1 Shivani Restaurant

13, Nai Bagad, Main Road, Ranipura,Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

+91-7312466098

Be it Marwari, Punjabi or Rajasthani cuisine,Shivani Restaurant in Mandu servesamazing dishes on the menu. Do not misstrying the delicious daal-batti churma. Thefood served here is a bit spicy to make sureto tell the staff in advance about yourpreferences. Overall the staff is good andprompt in service and the ambience is thatof a dhaba.

2 Hotel Fun N Food

Near to Kakda Kho, Main RoadMandu, Mandu 454010, India

+91-99935-07555

Hotel Fun N Food boasts of an efficientservice and more than average food. Snacksare the speciality of the restaurant, withspring rolls, sandwiches, pizzas and more asthe favourite ones. It's also a favouredhangout zone for many, usually locals and

tourists both. 

3 Rupmati Restaurant

Mandu Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/mandu page 4

Quick

LOCATEhttp://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-mandu-lp-1051091

SeeA: Royal ComplexB: Hoshang's TombC: Jahaz MahalD: Hindola MahalE: Ujali Baoli

AccommodationF: The City VillaG: Hotel Fun N FoodH: Mandu SaraiI: The City VillaJ: Hotel Fun N FoodK: Mandu SaraiL: The City VillaM: Hotel Fun N FoodN: Mandu Sarai

FoodO: Shivani RestaurantP: Hotel Fun N FoodQ: Rupmati Restaurant