Dhar: Fort, Temples and Traditions
Accommodation in Dhar
In Dhar district, historic buildings, religious sites and craft traditions meet distinctive landscapes and natural history. In the city of Dhar itself, the trail leads from the fort, with its museum and sweeping views over the rooftops, to temples with very different stories. Families can choose between cultural discoveries, waterside places and excursions focused on nature or crafts. When looking for a holiday rental, it is worth deciding first which places you want to make the focus of your trip.
Fort and Temples in Dhar
Dhar Fort was built in 1344 by Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq and houses a museum. The panoramic view from the ramparts stretches across the city of Dhar. The fort thus offers both an insight into history and a view of the city today. Lat Masjid tells a different architectural story: Dilawar Khan had it built in 1405. It was named after an iron pillar erected on the site. The mosque combines Mughal and Rajput styles in its windows and pillars.
The religious buildings also offer a variety of perspectives. Dhareshwar Temple on Dhareshwar Road is Dhar’s most important Shiva temple and is believed to have been built by King Munj of the Parmar dynasty. Gadh Kalika, an ancient Hindu temple near Devi-Sagar Pond, stands on a hill that is probably the highest in the city of Dhar. There, devotees draw an inverted swastika and return after their wishes have been fulfilled to add an upright swastika. The Bhaktamar Temple in Dhar is dedicated exclusively to the Bhaktamar Stotra. These different sites can be chosen according to your interests in architecture, religious history or living traditions.
Bagh, Mandu and Regional Discoveries
Near Bagh, the Bagh Caves lie on the banks of the Baghani River, on the southern slopes of the Vindhyas. The group comprises nine rock-cut monuments dating to around the 6th century AD. Bagh Print, a traditional hand-block printing technique using natural dyes, is also practiced in Bagh in Dhar district. Those interested in crafts will find this a different way to connect with the region than through its historic monuments. In Dinosaur Fossil National Park Bagh, fossilized eggs are attributed to herbivorous dinosaurs dating back 65 million years.
Mandu is a destination in its own right. Its Royal Complex covers 123 acres and includes 14 monuments managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. A baobab also tells a story of the region’s natural history: it was brought to Mandav during the reign of Mahmud Khilji in the 14th century and renamed Khurasani Imli. The Mandu Festival takes place in January and features live concerts, adventure sports and cycling expeditions.
Water, Food and Times to Visit
Dhar’s 12½ ponds are connected: when one pond fills, water flows into the next. In Sadalpur, Jal Mahal stands on the banks of the Bagdi River. These are different waterscapes that you can consider as interests when choosing your destinations. Dal Bafla, a popular dish in Dhar district, is a regional specialty and a variation on traditional Dal Baati.
Religious festivals also shape the calendar at particular places. A large festival is held every year in Bhopawar on Paush-Dashmi; buses to Bhopwar run from Dhar and Sardarpur. During Shravan, the Dharnath ki Palki procession, also known as Chhabina, passes through Dhar. The Nityanand Ashram grounds include a samadhi temple of Baba Nityanand; large numbers of devotees visit the ashram on Guru Purnima and Dussehra. Laal Bagh offers a different attraction: its toy train is the garden’s main attraction.
When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up these different interests rather than treating every destination as a similar excursion. Regular bus services connect Mandu with Dhar; buses to Bhopwar also run from Dhar and Sardarpur. If you mainly want to explore the city’s buildings, include Dhar in your search. If Bagh, Mandu or Bhopawar are your main destinations, take these places and the bus connections mentioned into account when planning. That way, your search for a holiday rental begins with a specific question: Which stories, landscapes and traditions do you want to discover on this trip?
For the wider travel overview: Madhya Pradesh.
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