Things to do in Mandu

Mandu or Mandavgad is an ancient city in the present-day Mandav area of the Dhar district. It is located in the Malwa and Nimar region of western Madhya Pradesh, India, at 35 km from Dhar city.

40 places to visit in and around Mandu, best known first. Tap a place for directions, or let Turkart turn them into a day-by-day plan.

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Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
Mandu or Mandavgad is an ancient city in the present-day Mandav area of the Dhar district. It is located in the Malwa and Nimar region of western Madhya Pradesh, India, at 35 km from Dhar city.
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Hindola Mahal
The Hindola Mahal, is a large meeting hall, or durbar, in the ancient Indian city of Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. Today the Hindola Mahal is a tourist destination in the ruined city.
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Hathi Paga Palace
Hathi Paga Mahal, literally meaning Elephant Leg Palace, (also referred as Hati Mahal). is a domed structure located on the south - eastern side of the Darya Khan Tomb Complex. The four massive pillars supporting the structure represents th
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Dai ki Chhoti Bahin ka Mahal
On the south west corner of the Caravan Sarai is a domed structure known as the Dai ki Chhoti Behen ka Mahal. The structure consists of a domed mausoleum along with a mosque. Dai literally means mid - wife or nurse and choti bahin means you
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Dai ka Mahal
Literally meaning the house of the mid wife or nurse this too like the Dai ki Chhoti Bahin ka Mahal is a grave combined with a mosque. Again nothing is known about the nurse and story of her magnificent mausoleum. The octagonal structure st
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Chhapan Mahal
Although referred to as a mahal or palace the structure is actually a mausoleum and like many other mausoleum of Mandu the occupant remains unknown. Chappan means fifty-six and according to legend in 1899 (the local calendar year was 1956)
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Jali Mahal
This small structure is located on top of a small mound south of the Sagar Talao. Jali refers to decorative lattice screen and mahal refers to palace or house. But the structure is a mausoleum decorated with lattice screen.
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Tomb and Mosque between Chorkot and Chhappan Mahal
This is south of Ek - khamba Mahal. The complex is on the main road and for persons travelling south it will be on his right side. The complex consists of a square tomb topped with a dome along with a three domed mosque in the back. Nothing
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Ek-khamba Mahal
Located on the south west of Chappan Mahal this structure is slightly off the road and contains a single domed mausoleum. Again nothing is known about the occupant of the grave.
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Ashrafi Mahal and Mahmud Khalji's Tomb
Located opposite the Jami Masjid. The Ashrafi Mahal, probably served as a madrasa (Islamic school), adjacent to the Mosque, during the reign of Mahmud Khilji (1436 - 69). With the passage of time the Ashrafi Mahal has been reconstructed and
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Nil Kanth Palace
Nilkanth Palace or Mahal was once a temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeva. It was later converted into a pleasure palace by Akbar's general Budag Khan. This is located south of the Chorkot Mosque and lies on the same side of the road. A winding
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Baz Bahadur's Palace
On the eastern side of the Rewa Kund stands the Palace of Baz Bahadur. Baz Bahadur’s Palace was originall built by Sultan Nasiruddin Shah in 1509 and enlarged by Baz Bahadur (1554 – 61). It contains some amazing acoustics and sound made in
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Rani Roopmati Pavilion
Like the Baz Bahadur Palace the Roopmati Pavilion also predates Baz Bahadur. Going by its strategic location on a hill top at the very southern end of the plateau, it is quite likely it served as a military outpost keeping an eye on invadin
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Taveli Mahal
The three storied structure of Taveli Mahal stands at the right of entrance to the Royal Complex. The ground floor probably served as a stable and the upper two floors were residence of cavalrymen and horse caretakers.The building is south
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Jahaj Mahal
The 110-m-long and 15-m-broad double-storeyed building is located on a narrow strip of land between the Munj Talao and Kapur Talao, giving the appearance of a ship in water. probably built by Sultan Ghiyathuddin Khalji in the later part of
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Royal Palace and Champa Bawdi
West of the Hindola and north of Munj Talao is the royal palace. It is in ruins. At the entrance of the royal palace is the Champa Bawdi (Bawdi means step well), it is relatively in good condition. Subterranean passage connects the base of
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Nahar Jharokha Palace
Nahar Jharokha, literally meaning tiger window, is a palace that is north of Hindol Mahal. The palace is in total ruins and the roof has long collapsed. Although in ruins several windows of the palace have survived but the tiger head window
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Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal, or water palace, is one of the most enchanting structures of the, City of Joy, Mandu. It is located on the north west corner of the Manju Talao and the furthest structure in the Royal Complex. Due to its remote locations it is of
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Nilkanth temple
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Lohani Caves
Lohani Caves are a set of ancient caves located on the western edge of Mandu. The caves predates the Sultanate period of Mandu. They are Hindu caves dedicated to Lord Shiva. The caves are free of any ornamentation or statues, although accor
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Jama Masjid, Mandu
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Darya Khan's Tomb
The massive dome of Darya Khan's Tomb towering above a series of trees, still dominates the Mandu sky line. The tomb is enclosed by a high wall, so is the entire complex. The entrance of the tomb compound is through the north west corner. T
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Caravan Sarai
Sari, literally meaning inn, is a guest house. As a citadel Mandu flourished as a flourishing trading centre attracting traders and travellers from far and wide. No wonder these men needed place to stay and eat, the saris or inns provided a
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Darya Khan's Tomb Complex
Darya Khan was a minister in the court of Mahmud Khalji II. The walled tomb complex is centred round the tomb of Darya Khan, with its massive tomb. The complex also houses another tomb, Darya Khan’s Mosque, Lal Sarai (Sarai means inn) and S
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Darya Khan's Mosque
The small mosque has a central dome. The northern and southern sides have three small domes each. The corners are marked with small turrets.The entrance on the east is flanked with 9 arches, The central arches is flanked on either side by s
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Unknown Tomb
This unknown tomb lies a couple of yards north - east of the mosque. A small tomb with an unknown occupant. The entrance is on the south through a triple arched entrance. The flat roof contains a large dome the corners are flanked with smal
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Lal Sarai
Lal Sari, literally meaning the Red Inn, was a guest house for travellers who visited Mandu. It lies on the right side of the entrance and on the south - west corner of Dary Khan's Tomb.The structure consists of a series on rooms arranged i
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Somvati Kund
This small pond lies east of Darya Khan's Tomb. The pond known as Somvati Kund is stone lined on all sides. As of 2020, it is fenced off to prevent accident.
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Malik Mughith's Mosque
A south ward walk along the main road of Mandu leads to Sagar Talao on the left. Just after reaching the lake a dirt road on the left (there is a signage) leads to the Sagar Talao group. The dirt road leads to the Malik Mughith's Mosque and
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Roja ki Makbar
This is located on the opposite side of the Dary Khan’s Tomb Complex and is approached by a dirt road. Roja or Khadija Bibi, was a women Sufi saint, probably the one of its kind in the whole of Mandu. She was cremated inside the tomb. The b
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Sarai
During its heydays Mandu was a flourishing trading center attracting travellers and traders from different parts of the world. No wonder Mandu had several inns (sarais) providing shelters to these travellers. Mandu still houses a series of
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Chorkot Mosque
This small complex is south of the unknown tomb and mosque and lies on the same side of the road. Since it is located a bit far from the city the abandoned structure once served as a refuge of thieves and antisocial persons. Hence the name
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Jami Masjid
The largest and chief mosque of Mandu. The construction of the mosque began during the reign of Hoshang Shah and was completed by Mahmud Khalji. The Jami Masjid in Mandu was modelled after the Mosque of Damascus. It is approached through a
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Tomb of Hoshang Shah
Completed in 1440 the Hoshang Shah's tomb is the first marble structure of India. The tomb is housed in a walled complex with entrance on the northern side. On the eastern side of the complex is a pillared hall. The Tomb of Hoshang Shah is
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Rewa Kund
The lake of Rewa Kund is situated at the southern end of the Mandu Plateau, the Narmada River flows far below in the Nimar planes at a distance of about 50 km but according to legend the lake is connected to the river. Although not on the r
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Kapoor Talao
Much smaller than the Manju Talao, this rectangular pond is paved with stones on all sides. Kapoor Talao along with Manju Talao gives Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace) a ship like appearance. The Taveli Mahal lies on the southern side of the Kapoor
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Gada Shah's Shop
Gada Shah's Shop is a massive two-storey structure. Sadly nothing is known about Gada Khan. Also nothing is also known about the purpose of the massive building. There are even doubts whether it is a shop or something else. There are remain
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Ujawala Bawdi
This is the second stepwell of the Gada Shah's Shop complex. It is an open well and the interiors are lit up by sunlight giving the name Ujawala Bawadi (Illuminated Stepwell). Two flight of zigzag stairs lead to the water of the rectangular
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Munj Talao
Manju Talao is a large lake in the Royal Group, On its east stands the towering Jahaz Mahal and on the north is the Royal Palace. The north eastern corner of the lake is occupied by the Jal Mahal. The Jahaz Mahal (literally meaning the ship
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Adheri Bawdi
This is the first of the step wells in Gada Shah's Shop complex. The large circular well lies inside a rectangular walled walled structure making the interiors dark, hence the name Adhheri Bawdi (Dark Stepwell). Spiral steps along the inner