Ahilya
Fort at Maheshwar (Madhya
Pradesh, India) is an experience straight out of the
18th century. Situated high above the banks of the sacred
Narmada River, Ahilya Fort was the capital of one of
India's celebrated women rulers-Ahilya Bai Holkar.
Host
at Ahilya Fort is Prince Shivaji Rao Holkar, son of the
last Maharajah of Indore. Fort has temples dedicated to
various avatars of Lord Shiva, as well as crematory
cenotaphs of the rulers of Indore. A boat trip in the
afternoon takes you to Baneshwar Temple in the middle of
the river, and a swim in the Narmada's cool and unpolluted
waters
An
ancient craft in Maheshwar, revived by the Holkars and now
a famous and thriving cottage industry.
Ahilya
Fort is an excellent base for local excursions. 60
kilometres away is Mandu, a 15th century marvel of early
Islamic architecture, set amongst forests and ravines at
the edge of the Malwa plateau.
By
Air:To Indore
(91 kms) from Bombay, Delhi and Bhopal, followed by a 2 -3
hour hour drive.
By Train: To Barwah (39 kms), Khandwa
(110 kms), Indore (91 kms) and Mhow.
By Road: An easy drive from Indore, Dhar,
Mandu, Omkareshwar, and Mhow. A longer drive from Bhopal
and Ujain.
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