You may have heard of Khandwa only because legendary singer Kishore Kumar belonged there, but this city in Madhya Pradesh offers a lot more to the traveling visitor. An age-old, beautiful ancient town, dotted with Hindu and Jain temples and shrines, Khandwa can often be found on the religious tourist’s travel itinerary.
While excavations have revealed that the Paleolithic man did indeed live in the Khandwa region, its history can truly be traced back only to the medieval ages. The Mauryas, the Sungas and the Chakulyas are only a few of the dynasties that ruled over this region. Later on, the Mughals set up fort and kingdom here for many years, before being overturned by the Peshwas, followed by the Sindhias, the Holkars and the Marathas, to name a few.
In the 12th century, it is believed that Khandwa had become the center for Jainism and all activities related to this way of life.
With such an eclectic and diverse history, it’s no wonder that Khandwa is a popular tourist and pilgrimage destination.
There are a number of religious destinations in Khandwa that are important for both Hindus and Jains in India. The Omkareshwar Mandhata on the banks of the River Narmada, and Mamaleshwar, one of the 12 Hindu Jyotirlingas, that is in Omkareshwar, are two temples or shrines that people flock to throughout the year. The cave temples of Adi Guru Shankaracharya here are also considered holy. The Dada Dhuniwale Darbar in Khandwa is beautiful and hosts a vibrant festival on Guru Purnima every year.
The District Collectorate Building in the city is a fine example of traditional British architecture. Built in 1919, this building has been maintained well and is a major tourist attraction in the city. Surrounded by trees and greenery, it is a great spot to relax and unwind.
To enjoy a picnic with your family and friends, head to the Nagchum Dam in Khandwa, that is about 7 km from the city center. Enveloped in nature, the sunset here is an experience in itself.
Buses are fairly easily available in Khandwa, and can take you to other nearby districts as well. Auto-rickshaws are a popular mode of transport for the locals, though you should probably fix the fare before starting the journey. Hire a private taxi or car if you’d rather sightsee at your own pace.
On a daily basis there are approximately 39 flights that operate at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport.IndiGo and Air India are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
By road Khandwa is surrounded by Beed, Burhanpur, Khargone which are 19.58 km, 37.61 km, 46.24 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.