Maheshwar is a quaint little holy town in Madhya Pradesh, situated on the banks of river Narmada. This town is in association with the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. It has many temples and ghats along the banks of Narmada and is Varanasi of Central India.

Like other Indian ghats, these serene ghats in Maheshwara attract tourists and pilgrims throughout the year. This historic city will amaze you with its beauty and ancient architecture; also it has much more up in its sleeves to make you fall in love with itself.
History

As per Hindu mythology, Mahesh is the peaceful manifestation of Lord Shiva, the supreme god of destruction. Narmada originates from his sweat when he meditated and performed Tandav, the cosmic dance.

You can find many miniatures of Shiva lingams on the riverbed of Narmada which are Banalingas by locals. Thus, several pilgrims visit the town because of this special spiritual significance.

Maheswar is the capital city of the warrior king Kartavirya Arjuna. He had 1000 hands and was believed to have defeated the demon king Ravana and imprisoned him. We can find the mention of this town under the name of Mahismati in the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

In the 18th century, the great Maratha Rani Ahilyabai Holkar relocated her capital to Maheshwar from Indore just to stay close to her deity Lord Shiva and the river Narmada.

Amongst her many architectural achievements are the temples she built, the Fort she reconstructed, and the weaving industry she developed. Because of the significant contributions, she made to the development of Maheshwar; she became popular and highly regarded.

Things to do

Holkar Fort

While Rani Ahilyabai ruled Indore, this fort served as the administrative headquarters for her ruling empire, and it is now a guesthouse, run by the son of the last Maharaja, prince Shivaji Rao Holkar.

Prince Shivaji Rao Holkar, the son of the last Maharaja of Indore, manages this guesthouse, which was once the administrative headquarters of Rani Ahilyabai during her reign.

Ahilya Ghat

This iconic ghat on the banks of river Narmada is adorned with steps, sculptures of gods, musicians, and dancers, and is a mixture of architectural styles from the Maratha, Rajput, and Mughal periods. The attractions here include the chhatris of Vithojirao Holkar and Ahilyabai Holkar.

The Ahilyeshwar Chhatri, along with the iconic ghats, represents the heart of Maheshwar. It took 35 years, from 1799 to 1834, to finish the ghat and the chhatris.

Boat ride

Experience a boat ride for enjoying a panoramic view of the architectural skyline of the Narmada ghats and visit the island temple of Baneshwar.

Temple Darshan

Maheshwar has numerous riverside temples, such as Kaleshwara Temple, Rajarajeshwara Temple, Akhileshwara Temple, Ekmukhi Datta Temple, and Vithaleshwara Temple. Thus, their unique overhanging balconies and intricately carved walls will put you in awe.

Lingarchan Puja

Do not forget to experience the unique Lingarchan Puja ritual held every day at 8.30 a.m. in the fort aimed at ensuring public health and wellbeing. It was started by Rani Ahilya Bai.

Thousands of miniature Shiva lingas(representations of Lord Shiva) were constructed out of the mud collected from the river Narmada, which were then prayed over by Hindu priests.

Saree Shopping

Maheswar has something for the saree lovers too. Moreover, you will get to experience the authentic, exquisite handwoven Maheswari sarees. These sarees are one of a kind and every woman would love to own one.

Heritage Walk

As you walk this heritage trail in Maheshwar, you will learn about the stories and contributions of the Rani Ahilyabai. Also, near Labooz Cafe, you can find trained guides wearing IDs certified by Holkar Cultural Centre. The cost per group is Rs 350 only.
How To Reach

The roads from Indore to Maheshwar are mostly in good condition due to recent road upgrades. There are many domestic flights available from many Indian cities to Indore, or you can travel via Indian Railways, then hire a car and drive from there.

But if you are a budget traveler, you may prefer to take the bus instead that is headed to Maheshwar from Indore.

When to Visit

November to February is the coolest and the best time to visit Maheshwar. By the end of March, it starts to become very hot before the summer heat takes over during April and May, followed by monsoon from June to September.

Conclusion

Maheshwar’s serenity can never be effectively explained in words alone. Hence, if you want to be mesmerized by the glory of this ancient city, you must explore every inch of it.

So when are you planning to visit this beautiful town? Let us know your experience in the comments below.