Indore: Palaces, Glass Art and Street Food

Indore lies on the southern edge of the Malwa Plateau. Palace architecture, a Jain temple with an interior entirely decorated with glass, and a varied food culture offer different perspectives on the city. Rajwada and Lal Bagh Palace showcase distinctive architectural details; menus and street food stalls feature dishes with their own ingredients and preparation methods.

Palaces and their architectural history

Rajwada, also known as Holkar Palace or Old Palace, is a historic palace in Indore. The Holkars of the Maratha Empire built it around two centuries ago. The lower three storeys are made of stone, and the upper storeys of wood. The building includes a large wooden entrance door with iron fittings and a courtyard with a Maratha arched hall for Ganesha. Balconies and windows, as well as corridors, connect rooms with galleries. Opposite Rajwada is a well-kept garden with a statue of Queen Ahilya Bai, fountains and an artificial waterfall. Nearby are the Krishnapura ki Chhatris: cenotaphs built at the Holkar rulers’ cremation site in their memory.

Lal Bagh Palace also combines different architectural influences: Renaissance, Palladian and Baroque elements meet Rococo and Neoclassical furnishings. Its monumental gates are replicas of the gates of Buckingham Palace in London and are twice as large. The interiors include Belgian glass windows, chandeliers, Persian carpets and reliefs depicting scenes from Greek mythology. The palace also displays sporting trophies, including stuffed tigers, contemporary Indian artworks and a coin collection. The Holkar family lived there until 1978.

Temples, glass and religious culture

Kanch Mandir literally means “Glass Temple” and is a Jain temple in Indore. Construction began around 1903. Glass panels and mosaics completely cover the interior: the floor, pillars, walls and ceiling. This design creates a clear contrast with Rajwada’s stone and wood materials. Annapurna Temple plays a different role in the cityscape: it is both a pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction.

Street food and regional dishes

Chappan Dukan is a street food destination with 56 stalls. Offerings include local namkeen and dishes such as Garadu ki Chaat; individual stalls and dishes may change. Indori Poha is served with jalebi and sev and generously sprinkled with Jeerawan. Poha is firmly rooted in Indore’s cuisine, and poha with jalebi is a breakfast combination. Indore’s shikanji is a thick milk drink enriched with dried fruit. Its ingredients include saffron, cardamom, mace, nutmeg, raisins, mattha and milk.

Bhutte ka kees is also part of the region’s culinary scene: this street food is associated with Indore and is especially popular during the rainy season. In the Malwa region, it is made from grated corn, roasted in ghee and cooked with milk and spices. After nightfall, Indore’s Sarafa Bazaar becomes a food market, with street stalls selling chaat, sweets and savoury snacks.

Landscape and activities across the wider Indore destination

Beyond the city’s attractions, the wider Indore destination offers additional landscapes and activities. Janapav Kuti is an 881-metre-high mountain in the Mhow tehsil of Indore district, offering an uphill trekking experience. Patalpani Waterfall is also in the Mhow tehsil of Indore district and is about 300 feet high. At Choral Dam, in the backwater area of the Narmada River, lush trees and small hills shape the surroundings. Clear water and trees create a picnic setting; paddling and boating are possible there. Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary is considered a destination for those interested in wildlife and birdlife. The destination’s range of activities therefore extends from uphill trekking to water activities and nature observation.

City life and planning your holiday rental

The Saraswati and Khan rivers meet in central Indore. The city’s traditions also tell its history: Rangpanchami has been celebrated since the Holkar era and continues to this day; the tradition includes a Ger procession that dates back to that period. Anant Chaturdashi celebrations include a joint procession to immerse the idols.

Indore’s Central Museum has eight galleries featuring artefacts, sculptures, inscriptions and coins from various historical periods. It is accessible from the city centre by road and public transport. Gallery contents may change over time. Indore has good rail, road and air connections. If you are looking for a holiday rental, first consider whether your trip will focus mainly on the city’s palaces, temples and food culture, or whether you also want to include the nature and activity options across the wider destination.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Sanwer, Harsola, Mhow.

Return to the wider travel overview: Indore.