Things To Do In Maheshwar

Maheshwar in MP is today known for its beautiful temples and for being the kind of place where you could hang out for days just soaking in the calm atmosphere. This is one place where you can walk around and do all your sightseeing without the dust and grime. Maheshwar features in both our epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana. In recorded history Maheshwar has been under the Mauryas and the Guptas as well as Harshvardhan before it fell to the Delhi Sultanate under Akbar. Maheshwar came back to the Marathas in 18th century AD. It is well known for Ahilya Bai and much else. You have many things to do in Maheshwar. Let us see some of them now.

Ahilya Fort looks mesmerizing when you look at it from a boat on the Narmada River. This is why boating is such an attractive option when you visit Maheshwar. The area near the fort is also the place where the river is at its widest and you get to enjoy the picturesque beauty of the town. You can enjoy boating in the river every day till 6 in the evening. The charges for boating are fairly reasonable, say between Rs. 20 and Rs. 50 per head depending upon the type of the boat you hire.

The Narmada River flows into Maheshwar from Omkareshwar. Here in Maheshwar at Ahilya Fort the river widens and it has a good depth as well as flow. The ghat is also clean and very big. Chains have been provided for safety of those who take a dip in the cool waters here. Changing booths have also been provided and the ghat is considered safe and good for you to have a Bath.

When you go to see Rajwada you will find the area where Rani Ahilya Bai held her court or gaadi. The place is a veranda where she would sit with a Shiva Lingam in her hand listening to complaints and meting out justice. The place has been maintained just the way it used to be in her time. You will find a true to life statue of the great queen as well as portraits of the various Holkars. Visitors appreciate the simplicity of the Rajwada, which is but a reflection of her simplicity.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is among the holiest of all the holy shrines in India. It is also one of the twelve holy jyotirlingas in the country. The temple is located on Mandhata, an island which is at the point where the rivers Kaveri and Narmada meet. This island has the shape which resembles the OM symbol of the Hindus. There are several temples that are located on the island and the jyotirlinga is in Mamleshwar Temple, which boasts of exquisite architecture and has carvings and frescos that are absolutely spectacular.

Handloom saris are one of the major attractions of Maheshwar. Known as Maheshwari saris, these saris are an amazing attraction for ladies. It is a rare woman who will leave Maheshwar without purchasing at least one Maheshwari sari! What makes these saris special is the fact that all of them are hand woven on the town’s handlooms. Visitors find the actual weaving of the sari on a handloom very absorbing and interesting. The owner of the shop will be only too glad to show you all around the process of dyeing the thread and the method of running the loom. The intricate zari work and the bright colours make the saris priceless.

If possible one must participate in Mahashivratri celebration at Maheshwar. This festival is for celebrating the marriage of the celestial god and goddess, Shiva and his consort Parvati on the earth. This day is the most auspicious of all days according to devotees who are in millions. The celebration is therefore performed with devotion and love. Considered significant by women, Mahashivratri is performed by bathing the Lingam with milk, honey, curd, sugar and water in a ritual that is holiest of the holy.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in his Jyotirlinga form was built by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar. The temple has amazing beauty and architecture. The faithful believe that once prayers are offered to the Jyotirlinga in the temple the devotee will be relieved from all pain and suffering that may have otherwise befallen him. This is one temple that is visited daily by devotees in their hundreds.