INTO THE HEART OF INDIA

With its fair share of historic forts, centuries-old temples and Nature's wonders, Madhya Pradesh, has enough and more to woo travellers

- By Aruna Rathod Feature Writer | Travel, Food & Lifestyle

Right in the heart of the country is Madhya Pradesh, which is blessed with several delights that enthral visitors. From historic monuments and archaic temples soaked in spirituality and architectural wonders to the unbridled bounties of nature, this state has more than what you ask for. While the capital, Bhopal, has its fair share of beauty, you can also start with Indore if you don't have much time on hand. The famous towns of Maheshwar and Mandu are easily accessible from Indore. We began with Maheshwar which is 91 kms away from Indore. Hiring a taxi is easy and most of the route is through the countryside and it takes about two-and-a-half hours to reach.

Home to a hill fort, a majestic portal marks the entrance to the kingdom of Maheshwar. After a refreshing coffee break at the Laboo's Café, we decided to stroll around the temples. This small town is known for its traditional handloom weaving - Maheshwari sarees and fabrics.

Ahilya Fort is situated on the edge of a cliff. The thick strong walls have five gates, out of which only two are open now - Kamani Darwaza and Ahilya Dwar (earlier Gadi Darwaza). From the fort, you can go all the way to the Narmada River and all along the way one can see temples, each one an architectural marvel with intricate carvings. Some of the most notable shrines include the Ahilyeshwar Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Raj Rajeshwar Temple. A part of the fort now houses a luxury hotel managed by the family members of Queen Ahilya Bai of the Holkar dynasty.

The Queen's vision for Maheshwar