PROFILE OF INDORE

Heritage Resources

People and Culture

Indore reflects the true spirit of unity in diversity. People from all corners of the country have migrated and settled here for their livelihood and education, resulting in a diverse culture.

The festivals in this region, as elsewhere, are as varied in origin as they are numerous. Some have the origins in commemoration of birthdays or the cycles of the seasons, while others are based in religion, myths and legend. Apart from Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Holi and Dusshera, other popular festivals are Teej or Gangore, where wheat saplings grown in baskets are worshipped by the women in each family. Ram–Navami, Gudi Padwa and Dashmata are other festivals.

The participation in fairs and tirth-yatras has a special significance among Hindus. An important yatra of the region is connected with a fair at the time of Maha Shivratri, lasting for a day. There is a temple of Shiva and a sacred water tank. People from different areas assemble here to worship Shiva, and to take a dip in the sacred tank.

The enthusiasm and joy at the times of festivals and religious ceremonies find expression through dance, drama and music. The important community dances are known as bhaguria, phag and matki. Usually the former two are preformed at the time of Holi festival, while the matki dance is performed at the time of marriage.

Popular games played by the people of the district include kho-kho, kabaddi, gilli-danda , gulam-danda.

Built Heritage

Shivaji Rao was a great builder who built most of the existing buildings and palaces of Indore. Lal Bagh palace was originally constructed by him in the last decade of the 19th century.

The Lalbagh Palace of the Holkars on the banks of the Khan river is one of the grand monuments of the Holkar dynasty in the city. The whole complex has a total area of 28 acres. The palace is a reflection of the grandeur and lifestyle of the Holkar Dynasty. Its construction began in 1886 under Tukoji Rao Holkar II, and was carried out in three phases, the final phase being completed in 1921 under Tukoji Rao Holkar III. It is a blend of Baroque and Renaissance styles, and in its day was one of the most elegant residences in India. The main attractions are the splendidly proportioned and furnished rooms, with frescoed ceilings and guilded ornamental mouldings. The architecture and decoration of this palace, inhabited by the Holkars until 1978, reflect the highly westernized aesthetic sensibility of the later Holkar family. The imposing gates of the palace are unique in Asia. A replica of the gates of Buckingham palace (London), but about twice their size, they were moulded in cast iron and shipped from England. They carry the Holkar state emblem. Another building called the Shiva Vilas palace was also built. The buildings of Holkar College and secretariat were built during his regime. The Jain community of the city built a double-storied temple in the Shakkar bazaar.