Explore Offbeat Mandu (Mandav Garh) in Madhya Pradesh – Day Trip from Indore

With its historical monuments, heritage ruins and an untouched rural vibes, Mandavgad (Mandu) is indeed an offbeat destination in Madhya Pradesh. While Mandu can be visited on a day trip from Indore but it will not be a justice to this hidden gem unless you spend couple of days exploring its rugged ruins and exploring its rural life vibes.

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About Mandu (Mandav Garh)

Mandav is an ancient fort city in Madhya Pradesh, situated around 100 kms from Indore, can easily be reached through a 2 hour road drive. Known for its Afghan architectural heritage, Mandu has been a major power center for Khaliji Dynasty and then for Mughals in medieval period.

Tucked far away in the plateaus of Madhya Pradesh, little do people know that this sleepy village of Mandu nestles amazingly beautiful monuments and heritage ruins.

After exploring Omkareshwar and Maheshwar on my bike trip from Indore, I headed to Mandu for a day trip. What I realized that it is not only its monuments and ruins but it has more to offer that makes it an amazing offbeat destination. Here is my travel blog highlighting top 10 things to explore during your Mandu Trip –

1. Love in Air – Rani Roopmati Pavilion and Baz Bahadur’s Palace
2. Architectural marvels of Jahaz Mahal & Hindola Mahal
3. Explore Magnificent Jama Masjid of Mandu
4. Mandu’s Marble Tomb of Hoshang Shah – Inspiration for the Taj Mahal
5. Wander across Mandu’s monuments and ruins
6. Soak yourself in slow and simple rural vibes of Mandu
7. Shadow and Silence in Mandu’ kunds, Baodi, wells and lakes
8. Mandu’s Imli (Tamarind) – Big and Unique !!
9. Try Mandu’s Daal Baati & Daal Bafla- Delicious !!
10. Experience postcard sun-set views at Mandu

1. Love in Air – Rani Roopmati Pavilion and Baz Bahadur’s Palace

(Go to the Top) Rani Roopmati Pavilion and Baz Bahadur’s Palace are the two most prominent monuments of Mandav Garh resonating the love tales of Rani Roopmati and Baz Bahadur. Both these palaces overlook each other and balladeers of Malwa still sing songs of their eternal love. Once Baz Bahadur was defeated in a battle, it is said that Rani Roopmati committed suicide ending this magical love story steeped in music, poetry, romance, war and death.

2. Architectural marvels of Jahaz Mahal & Hindola Mahal

(Go to the Top) Jahaz Mahal and Hindola Mahal are another two magnificent marvels of Mandavgarh. Situated inside same complex between artificial lakes, they have unique shapes. Jahaz Mahal resembles like a Ship (Jahaz) and Hindola Mahal with its sloping walls looks like a swing (Hindola). Taveli Mahal and the Nahar Jharokha are another two monuments inside the same royal complex. There is also a small museum right at the entrance.

3. Explore Magnificent Jama Masjid of Mandu

(Go to the Top) Mandu Jama Masjid is really magnificent, situated right in the center. Inspired by the great mosque of Damascus, this enormous structure is striking in both its simplicity and architectural style. When I entered inside Jama Masjid, I was awestruck seeing such huge structure situated in this small village. With large corridors and huge pillars, ASI has done a superb job by maintaining Mandu Heritage in the best possible manner.

Right opposite of Jama Masjid are ruins of Ashrafi Mahal and also a Victory Tower. Inside, you will find tombs of some of Khilji dynasty emperors, prominent being Mahmud Khilji’s Tomb.

4. Mandu’s Marble Tomb of Hoshang Shah – Inspiration for the Taj Mahal

(Go to the Top) This is another hidden gem of Mandu which most people happen to miss !! Marble Tomb of Hoshang Shah is considered to be India’s first marble structure and it is said that it served as a template for the construction of the Taj Mahal as four architects from Shah Jahan’s court visited Mandu and took inspiration for the Taj Mahal

After visiting Jama Masjid, my mind was still occupied with the simplicity of this enormous structure. And as I was walking out – lady at ticket counter asked me if I had also visited the tomb behind mosque. There is a side walk way to the right of Jama Masjid (inside complex only, you need not come out) and it leads to beautiful marble tomb of Hoshang Shah. When I walked inside the courtyard, sun was about to set and this huge single structure marble mausoleum was sparkling with sun setting right behind its dome and pigeons flying all over. Oh God! Such a mesmerizing view. It took me some time to absorb the beauty of this marble structure.

5. Wander across Mandu’s Ruins

(Go to the Top) Mandu is not only about top monuments but it is full of structures dedicated to different personalities. Some of them are preserved as monuments while most are spread all across as ruins. You may just hop on a bike and drive around exploring them. Gadi Darwaza, Bhangi Darwaza, Chhapan Mahal, Dai ka Mahal, Ek Khambha Mahal, Darya Khan’s Tomb are some of these monuments that you can easily locate on Mandav Garh’s map.

6. Soak yourself in slow and simple rural vibes of Mandu

(Go to the Top) Despite all its magnificent structures, Mandu is a pretty simple and serene village. There is no hustle bustle except at tourist places and people are super amazing, eager to help you and guide you. You will feel the simplicity in the air of this quaint town and find serenity in the voice of its people. While I left from Mandu next day but this is something for which I will certainly go back to this place and stay here for days and days.

7. Shadow and Silence in Mandu’ kunds, Baodi, wells and lakes

(Go to the Top) Wherever you would go in Mandu, you will find lakes, kunds and Baodis. Most prominent is Rewa Kund which was constructed by Baz Bahadur for the purpose of supplying water to Rani Roopmati’s Pavilion. Then there is Champa Baodi, a beautiful well inside Hindola Mahal. At Jahaz Mahal, you will see it situated between two artificial lakes Munja Tank and Kapur Tank. Sagar Talab is a huge lake in Mandav Garh that serves as source of water supply for adjoining villages.

There are more and all of them offer a sense of solitude and silence to the soul. Find a peaceful corner or a part of stairs where you can watch shadows for hours.

8. Mandu’s Imli (Tamarind) – Big and Unique !!

(Go to the Top) Mandu is not only famous for its monuments and heritage but it also offers unique big size imlis (Tamarind). Baobab Fruit which is famous as ‘Mandu ki Imli’ is found no where else in India. It is said that Mandu’s king brought this tamarind tree from Africa. Mandu being an arid area, this tamarind grew well here and served the purpose of locals. You can find these being sold all across next to almost every tourist spot.

9. Try Mandu’s Daal Baati & Daal Bafla- Delicious !!

(Go to the Top) Mandu’s Daal Bafla and Daal Paniya are must. Ask locals for reference and they will guide you to the hotel serving best Daal Bafla. During my trip, I tried Hotel Shivani and loved the taste of their dishes !!

While I was headed to Mandu, locals told me to give a try to Mandu’s Daal Baati and Daal Bafla. And after trying it, I should say that they were absolutely right. Then there is Dal Paniya, another dish which is prepared sandwiched in aak ka patta (leaves of Calotropis gigantea) and cooked for hours on an open fire of dried cowpat.

10. Experience Postcard sun-set views at Mandu

(Go to the Top) Once done with a hectic day, head to any peaceful corner of Mandu to enjoy its beautiful sun-set. Red crimson colours criss-crossing through its ruins, monuments, lakes and valleys will certainly make you feel light.

Mandu Hotels – Where to Stay

(Go to the Top) Mandu is a small village and there are limited accommodation options. There is a MP Tourism Guest House right next to Jama Masjid which you can book on the spot. By the way, I got a better option when people guided me to Ram Temple next to it which rents out clean spacious rooms at very affordable rates. You also get clean drinking water inside temple complex. In case, you are looking for a proper hotel accommodation, there are 4 to 5 good options which you can book on booking.com (Please Click Here).

How to reach Mandu from Indore

While I drove my bike all the way to Mandu but unfortunately my bike broke down as soon as I reached Mandu. I had to leave my rented bike behind and took a bus all the way to Indore. If you are looking for a road trip, then you may opt for a bike or car ride. It is just towards the end that road gets steeper with slope and sharp turns, so you have to drive cautiously. There is no direct bus from Indore to Mandu. You have to take a bus to Dhar and then change for Mandu. Back from Mandu, first bus leaves at 7 AM and it took me around 3 hours to reach Indore (I got a quick changeover for Indore bus at Dhar luckily).

Mandav Garh (Mandu) is indeed an offbeat destination little known to mass tourists. Far from the noise of usual tourist destinations, you will find little sophistication and ample peace here. We will suggest to plan couple of days in Mandu to experience its rural and rugged vibes while all your weariness melts in the silence of Mandav Hills.

Happy Exploration !!