Rushed and banged and huffed and reached Borivali station, thought I would miss the train. No, I wasn’t boarding our Virar or Churchgate local. I was in fact boarding Avantika express, going to Indore. The journey is 12 hrs and very comfortable overnight journey. However this was never a planned journey, neither was I running an errand for my firm or any personal reasons. I just wanted visit, just wanted that’s all. Decision taken, had to execute it.
Now what is this Indore connection?! Well, it’s definitely not my native place. Well then here I go… Indore is a place where my father was posted for 4 years and a place where I did my basic schooling (from 2nd till 6th STD). Those 4 years have been one of my best moments and really-not-so-good moments. Do not want to discuss much on that.
Now Indore is beautiful peaceful bustling city in Madhay Pradesh (for those of you who are weak in geography). It was the prime regions for Holkars or rather the center point of Holkar administration, the rulers who ruled it for many years. It has now transformed itself well, in tune with current ‘india rising’ phenomenon. It got its 1st mall known as Treasure islands 3 years ago, within 3 years you now have Central, Mangal City etc as major Malls. One will also find Macdonald’s outlets there and yes lots of apartments & multistory residential places, some thing which is new here and which shows that this city is growing too. This was not the Indore that I existed.
Indore in my time was very serene, simple town. But a self sufficient town. The only happening place was Rajwada, a fortress (of Holkar’s of course), surrounding which there was sprawling market and trust me a very vibrant, and to this date it still is. You will get everything, almost. Then there are lot temples, famous one being Kajrana Temple, of Lord Ganesha and couple of more, then you had and have Meghdoot gardens a simple but huge park, best for weekend family get together. However what makes Indore so special is the 3…the first being its people, trust me very genuine I must say, very helpful. Indore like Mumbai has mixed demographics, a complete mosaic representing almost whole of India. Even they have their typical Indore accent or dialect of Hindi which very much distinguishable. Then comes their houses! Yes, trust me Indore doesn’t have much of apartments, so naturally all are independent houses and when I say independent, you can run your imagination the way these people take their abode seriously. Magnificent is the word. Beautifully planned rich houses and its not something that only rich here do, even the well off middle class have their houses well built. Ahh then comes my favorite…Food, yes Indore is also a paradise for foodies, take my word for it. Once you are here, you should not miss Kanda Kachori ummmm so divine! Mung ki halwa, a sweet delicacy with generous helpings of ghee, if you are dieting then forget it. Then you have hot gulab jamuns the evergreen and then comes the quintessential snack of indore….Pohe! Yes one of the healthiest snacks available on the Indian platter and Indoreans know it the best. The hot pohe with generous servings of spicy sev is a perfect breakfast. There is a place here known as ‘Chappan Dukan’ which means 56 shops precisely. This is where you can taste the best delicacies of Indore. Once here do visit this place.
Indore also is well connected to other cities like Bhopal the capital, which takes 4 hours to reach. Then one should also visit Ujjain, a beautiful city of temples and spirituality and also the place where ‘Omkaleshwar’ the famous temple of Shiva is located.
I can keep on going further and further about Indore but I think in today’s internet age, you very can find out well. This is just my view, my raw account of Indore. Now let me end this so called travelogue with what future holds for Indore. Indore has all the ingredients to rise as one of the major metropolitan cities! The demographics here is same as that of Mumbai, a sample of whole India. The Indore development Authority (IDA) has taken proactive steps to make Indore closer to a good city, like doing away with conspicuous tempos! Now they were the indispensable quirky looking mode of transport for the people of Indore and replacing Nagar Sevas (mini buses, another mode of transports) with better sturdy and comfortable buses. Now Indore is well on the radar of the development, courtesy, its 3 cousins Mhow, Dewas and Nagda, which are complete industrial belts. And this proximity has given Indore a nitro in development. However one suggestion to IDA, please improve the roads…trust me, they are still pathetic!
Though I stayed there for 2 days, those 2 days were enough for bringing back all my memories and enriching me! Genuine people, great food, hassle free city is what Indore is today. I boarded same Avantika express for Mumbai, which leaves from there at 3.50 pm and reaches Mumbai (Borivali) in morning at sharp 6 am. Great, isn’t it? Best for office goers. But as I left Indore, one thought crossed me…. Indore is undergoing major changes interms of infrastructure, lifestyles etc. yes it as good but I hope it doesn’t threaten the delicate social fabric of this city. No another jam packed, suffocating, stressed city lost in the race of time. So, long as that is taken care of, rest assured Indore will win hearts of many.
Now what is this Indore connection?! Well, it’s definitely not my native place. Well then here I go… Indore is a place where my father was posted for 4 years and a place where I did my basic schooling (from 2nd till 6th STD). Those 4 years have been one of my best moments and really-not-so-good moments. Do not want to discuss much on that.
Now Indore is beautiful peaceful bustling city in Madhay Pradesh (for those of you who are weak in geography). It was the prime regions for Holkars or rather the center point of Holkar administration, the rulers who ruled it for many years. It has now transformed itself well, in tune with current ‘india rising’ phenomenon. It got its 1st mall known as Treasure islands 3 years ago, within 3 years you now have Central, Mangal City etc as major Malls. One will also find Macdonald’s outlets there and yes lots of apartments & multistory residential places, some thing which is new here and which shows that this city is growing too. This was not the Indore that I existed.
Indore in my time was very serene, simple town. But a self sufficient town. The only happening place was Rajwada, a fortress (of Holkar’s of course), surrounding which there was sprawling market and trust me a very vibrant, and to this date it still is. You will get everything, almost. Then there are lot temples, famous one being Kajrana Temple, of Lord Ganesha and couple of more, then you had and have Meghdoot gardens a simple but huge park, best for weekend family get together. However what makes Indore so special is the 3…the first being its people, trust me very genuine I must say, very helpful. Indore like Mumbai has mixed demographics, a complete mosaic representing almost whole of India. Even they have their typical Indore accent or dialect of Hindi which very much distinguishable. Then comes their houses! Yes, trust me Indore doesn’t have much of apartments, so naturally all are independent houses and when I say independent, you can run your imagination the way these people take their abode seriously. Magnificent is the word. Beautifully planned rich houses and its not something that only rich here do, even the well off middle class have their houses well built. Ahh then comes my favorite…Food, yes Indore is also a paradise for foodies, take my word for it. Once you are here, you should not miss Kanda Kachori ummmm so divine! Mung ki halwa, a sweet delicacy with generous helpings of ghee, if you are dieting then forget it. Then you have hot gulab jamuns the evergreen and then comes the quintessential snack of indore….Pohe! Yes one of the healthiest snacks available on the Indian platter and Indoreans know it the best. The hot pohe with generous servings of spicy sev is a perfect breakfast. There is a place here known as ‘Chappan Dukan’ which means 56 shops precisely. This is where you can taste the best delicacies of Indore. Once here do visit this place.
Indore also is well connected to other cities like Bhopal the capital, which takes 4 hours to reach. Then one should also visit Ujjain, a beautiful city of temples and spirituality and also the place where ‘Omkaleshwar’ the famous temple of Shiva is located.
I can keep on going further and further about Indore but I think in today’s internet age, you very can find out well. This is just my view, my raw account of Indore. Now let me end this so called travelogue with what future holds for Indore. Indore has all the ingredients to rise as one of the major metropolitan cities! The demographics here is same as that of Mumbai, a sample of whole India. The Indore development Authority (IDA) has taken proactive steps to make Indore closer to a good city, like doing away with conspicuous tempos! Now they were the indispensable quirky looking mode of transport for the people of Indore and replacing Nagar Sevas (mini buses, another mode of transports) with better sturdy and comfortable buses. Now Indore is well on the radar of the development, courtesy, its 3 cousins Mhow, Dewas and Nagda, which are complete industrial belts. And this proximity has given Indore a nitro in development. However one suggestion to IDA, please improve the roads…trust me, they are still pathetic!
Though I stayed there for 2 days, those 2 days were enough for bringing back all my memories and enriching me! Genuine people, great food, hassle free city is what Indore is today. I boarded same Avantika express for Mumbai, which leaves from there at 3.50 pm and reaches Mumbai (Borivali) in morning at sharp 6 am. Great, isn’t it? Best for office goers. But as I left Indore, one thought crossed me…. Indore is undergoing major changes interms of infrastructure, lifestyles etc. yes it as good but I hope it doesn’t threaten the delicate social fabric of this city. No another jam packed, suffocating, stressed city lost in the race of time. So, long as that is taken care of, rest assured Indore will win hearts of many.
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