Indore is one of the liveliest and a bustling city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It was the capital of the erstwhile Holkar rulers. It was established in 1715 by the local landlords as a trade center in the Narmada River Valley. They also built the Indrashewar Temple in 1741 and according to the local legend; the city derives its name from this temple. Later on it became the headquarters of the British Central India Agency and the summer capital of Madhya Bharat (1948-56) before it became a part of the present day Madhya Pradesh.

The city is located in the Narmada River Valley in the western part of MP. The weather conditions in the region remain moderate all through the year and hence there are visitors all through the year to the city. It is also an important industrial city in the area and is often called “Mini-Mumbai.” Being such an ancient city, there are a number of historical monuments in and around Indore. There are numerous temples in the city belonging to different faiths. The architecture in the city is an amalgamation of different styles where the historical monuments stand proudly alongside the more modern high raises and sky scrapers.

Apart from the tourist attractions in the city, there are dewaqq many places worth visiting near Indore. Some of the most sought after places in the periphery of the city are:

Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary:
This is a comparatively newer addition to the tourist map of Indore. Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1989 and is spread over an area of 5 square kilometers. This is a small but a beautiful place to visit. The main wildlife to be sighted here is the Leopard, Black Buck, Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, Jarak, Barking Deer, and Wild Hare etc. This is also home to migratory birds. The best season to visit this sanctuary is from April to July.

Ujjain:
The town is one of the most important pilgrimages for people belonging to the Hindu faith. It is located at a distance of nearly 56 kilometers from Indore. The town traces back its origin to the very dawn of Indian history. It was an important center of learning for Hindu astronomy, astrology and geography. The town is located on the banks of River Kshipra and is one of the oldest holy cities in India. Ujjain also has religious significance. The temple of Mahakaleshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. There are some other places like Bhartihari Caves, Sandipani Ashram, ancient observatory, Chintamani Ganpati Temple in the city which are worth visiting.

Dewas:
This is a small town located 36 kilometers from Indore. It is famous for the Chamunda Devi Temple. This temple is situated on a hill which is known as the Devi Wasini and hence the name Dewas. There are several temples cut out in the rocky walls of the hill which make for a very pleasant and humbling experience.

Mandu:
Mandu or Mandavgarh is also called the City of Joy. It is about 90 kilometers from Indore. It was founded in the 10th century by the Parmar rulers as their capital. It was one of the most interesting hilltop forts in the region. The place has also seen romance blossoming between Rani Roopmati and Baz Bahadur. The place still carries the lingering feeling of this romance, especially so in the rainy season. The Mandhavgarh Fort is supposed to be the biggest fort in India measuring 82 kilometers perimeter. There are numerous ruins of palaces, baths, and pavilions of the past when Mandu was a bustling town. Jahaj Mahal, Hindola Mahal and Ashrafi Mahal are some of the notable monuments in this picturesque town.