Today, we are going to talk about a region in India that is not confined by the state/city borders of the modern world. Malwa – a historical region of Central-Western India was a part of the Central India Agency with Jiwajirao Scindia as its Rajpamukh. Post-independence, it was merged with the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. With its political borders changing throughout history, the Malwa region has a unique culture that is influenced by the Rajasthani, Marathi, and Gujarati cultures. In modern times, while most people are busy exploring picturesque destinations, we are going to take you on a little trip through the Malwa sans state boundaries and relive the culture of this historical region.
One of the best things about Malwa is the unique way in which it represents the history of ancient India. It derives its name from the term ‘Malaw’ which translates into ‘Goddess Lakshmi’. The region includes the Madhya Pradesh districts of Agar, Dewas, Dhar, Indore, Jhabua, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Shajapur, Ujjain, and parts of Guna and Sehore. It also includes the Jhalawar district of Rajasthan and parts of Banswara, Kota, and Pratapgarh.
Here are some places that you must visit in Malwa:
Bhimbetka
Bhimbetka is home to the most intriguing rock caves in India. They depict the earliest traces of human beings in India. Some paintings on the walls of the caves are as old as 30,000 years old. It is a World Heritage Site at a distance of about 45 km from Bhopal (a drive of around 90 minutes). It is at a distance of around 315 km from Nagpur and falls on the route to Bhopal. If you are in Pune, then you can opt for a convenient and reliable cab from Pune to Nagpur (around 720 km), njoy the City of Oranges for a day, and then travel to Bhimbetka from there.
Mandu
Mandu was the capital of the Parmar Dynasty and is home to the biggest fort of the country – The Mandu Fort. There are a lot of places to visit here like the Roopmati Mahal, Jahaz Mahal, Hindola Palace, Jami Masjid, Hoshang Shah’s Tomb, and Baz Bahadur with excellent Afghani architecture influence.
Wildlife Parks
The Malwa region is also home to some amazing flora and fauna like the Pench National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Rewa White Tiger Sanctuary, Kanha National Park, and the Ranthambore National Park. The rich soil of the region contributes to some unique flora which in turn attracts a lot of animals and birds making this region a nature lovers’ paradise.
Khajuraho
Khajuraho is a world-famous group of Jain and Hindu monuments known for the Nagara style of architecture. It is centuries old and is believed to have been built by the rulers of the Chandela Dynasty. It is also believed to be much ahead of its time due to the erotic sculptures and statues that are intricately carved.
Indore
Situated on the banks of the Saraswati and the Khan – two small rivulets, Indore is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh. Due to the rich black soil of the Malwa plateau, the cotton industry has thrived in the city. It is also famous for its beautiful glass bangles. Some places to visit in Indore are Lal Bagh Palace, Patalpani Waterfalls, Annapurna Temple, Sarafa Bazaar, Kanch Mandir, and Kothari Market, etc. From Pune, you can book a safe and sanitized Pune to Indore cabs to get you to this beautiful city in around 12 hours (an approx. distance of 600 km).
The offbeat Malwa region is bound to leave you mesmerized and intrigued. It is definitely a trip that you must plan at least once in your life.
