Khargone, India
Region: Madhya Pradesh
Geographic Coordinates: 21.822900, 75.613900
Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 45.0°C (59°F to 113°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 136551
Language: Hindi
Khargone is a city in the western part of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located on the banks of the Kunda River and surrounded by lush green forests and hills. The city has a rich history dating back to ancient times and was ruled by various dynasties like the Mauryas, Guptas, And Mughals. One of Khargone’s major attractions is Navgraha Mandir or Temple of Nine Planets. This temple is dedicated to nine planets that are believed to influence human lives according to astrology. The temple architecture follows traditional Hindu style with intricate carvings on walls and ceilings.
Another popular attraction in Khargone is Kedareshwar Temple which dates back to 11th century AD. This temple has a unique structure with three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, And Lord Brahma respectively. The temple also has beautiful carvings depicting various scenes from Hindu mythology. For nature lovers, There are several places around Khargone that offer breathtaking views of natural beauty like Hatyari Khoh Waterfall which cascades down from a height of 100 feet amidst lush green forest cover. Another must-visit place for nature enthusiasts is Dandeshwar Shivlinga which lies deep inside dense forests near Maheshwar town.
Khargone also hosts one of India’s biggest hot air balloon festivals every year during winter months (December-January). Visitors can experience breathtaking views while enjoying hot air balloon rides over scenic landscapes. The city also boasts several local markets where visitors can shop for traditional handicrafts made by local artisans like handloom sarees, Pottery items, Wooden toys etc. One such market worth visiting is Sanawad Bazaar which offers a wide range of goods at reasonable prices.
Overall, Khargone offers a perfect blend of history, Culture, Nature, And adventure making it a must-visit destination for travelers looking to explore the lesser-known parts of India.
- Kaleshwari Devi Temple: A renowned Hindu temple devoted to Goddess Kaleshwari.
- Ahilya Fort: A historic fort constructed by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar during the 18th century.
- Navgraha Mandir: A temple dedicated to the nine planets of Hindu astrology.
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: One of twelve Jyotirlingas (sacred shrines) devoted to Lord Shiva.
- Maheshwar Fort: An ancient fort situated on the banks of River Narmada.
- Mandu Fort: A ruined fortress city dating back to the 6th century AD.
- Pachmarhi Hill Station: A picturesque hill station located roughly 200 km from Khargone, renowned for its waterfalls and natural beauty.
- Dhar Fort: An ancient fort located in Dhar, about 50 km from Khargone, celebrated for its architectural splendor and historical significance.
- Bagh Caves: Ancient rock-cut caves dating back to the Gupta period, recognized for their intricate carvings and sculptures.
- Rajwada Palace: An old palace built by Holkar dynasty rulers in Indore, about 100 km from Khargone, knows for its grand architecture and historical significance.
- Agriculture
- Textile manufacturing
- Food processing
- Retail
The city is known for its production of:
- Soybean
- Wheat
- Maize
- Cotton
Textile mills in Khargone produce fabrics such as:
- Sarees
- Dress materials
The food processing industry includes the production of:
- Oilseeds
- Pulses
- Spices
- Dairy products
Retail shops sell a variety of goods including:
- Clothing
- Electronics
- Groceries
- Household items
Additionally, there are small-scale industries such as:
- Pottery making
- Handicrafts
- The Battle of Maheshwar took place near Khargone’s Maheshwar Fort in 1818 between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire.
- Ahilya Bai Holkar, a notable historical figure, ruled over Indore and Malwa from 1767 to 1795 and was known for her administrative skills and philanthropy.
- Khandwa Rebellion occurred in 1857 during India’s First War of Independence against British colonial rule near Khargone.
- A stone inscription in Khargone dating back to the 10th century CE depicts a woman committing sati (self-immolation on her husband’s funeral pyre), which was once a common practice among some communities in India.
- Mandu Fort is another historical landmark associated with Khargone that dates back to the 6th century CE, ruled by various dynasties throughout history.
- Tukoji Rao Holkar II, born in Khargone district in 1859, was a prominent ruler of Indore State during British Raj era.
- Nimar Uprising occurred between1891-92 when peasants from Nimar region (including parts of present-day Khargone) rebelled against oppressive land revenue policies imposed by British authorities.
- Omkareshwar Temple is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Shiva located on an island near Khargone district.
- Mahatma Gandhi visited Sanawad town located within khargon district on February26-27 ,1921 as part of his nationwide non-cooperation movement.
- Ahilya Fort
- Kaleshwari Devi Temple
- Navgraha Mandir
- Nagchun Dam
- Rajwada Palace
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
- Chintaman Ganesh Temple
- Mandleshwar Mahadev Temple
- Maheshwar Fort and Palace
- Narmada Ghat and River Cruise
- Malwa Utsav is a cultural festival that celebrates the rich heritage of the Malwa region, including music, dance, and art.
- Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years and is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. It attracts millions of pilgrims from all over India.
- Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by people across Khargone.
- Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is celebrated with great joy and fervor in Khargone as well as all over India.
- Diwali, or the festival of lights, is another major celebration in Khargone where people decorate their homes with lamps and candles to celebrate victory over evil.
- Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates Lord Ganesha’s birthday and is celebrated with great pomp and show in Khargone.
- Teej Festival marks the onset of monsoon season & commemorates Goddess Parvati’s union with Lord Shiva; it’s celebrated by womenfolk across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana & Bihar.
- Bhagoria Festival takes place before Holi among tribal communities where young men & women choose their partners for life after a week-long courtship ritual.
- Poha: A traditional breakfast dish made with flattened rice and spices. It is served at many local eateries.
- Dal Bafla: A popular dish in Madhya Pradesh, it consists of steamed dough balls (bafla) served with dal (lentil soup).
- Sabudana Khichdi: A dish made from tapioca pearls, peanuts, and potatoes. It is a popular fasting food in the region.
- Rajwada Biryani: A flavorful biryani made with fragrant spices and long-grain rice.
- Chai Sutta Bar: This chain of tea shops serves a variety of teas along with snacks like samosas and sandwiches.
- Jai Gurudev Bhojnalaya: This restaurant serves authentic vegetarian food like thali meals, sabzi puri, and chaat items.
- The Yellow Chilli by Sanjeev Kapoor: This upscale restaurant offers modern Indian cuisine created by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor.
- Cafe Coffee Day: This chain of coffee shops serves coffee drinks along with sandwiches, pastries, and other snacks.
- Gopala Restaurant & Sweets Corner: This vegetarian restaurant serves North Indian dishes like chole bhature, paneer tikka masala, and gulab jamun for dessert.
- Shivam Restaurant & Fast Food Center: This casual eatery offers fast food items like burgers, pizzas, sandwiches along with Indian street food favorites like chaat items and vada pav (potato fritter sandwich).
- Gandhi Park – a popular park with walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- Chappan Bhog Garden – a beautiful garden with fountains, sculptures, and colorful flowers.
- Narmada Ghat – a scenic spot along the Narmada River where visitors can enjoy boating and fishing.
- Kalideh Palace – an ancient palace that is now converted into a museum showcasing the history of Khargone.
- Kedareshwar Temple – a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that attracts many devotees every year.
- Pachmarhi Hill Station – located near Khargone, this hill station offers trekking trails, waterfalls, and scenic views of the surrounding hills.
- Indira Sagar Dam – one of the largest dams in India that offers boating facilities on its reservoir.
- Maheshwar Fort & Palace – an ancient fort and palace complex that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh state.
- Omkareshwar Temple – one of twelve Jyotirlingas in India is located near Khargone which is visited by many pilgrims throughout the year for its religious significance.
- Bhikangaon Bird Sanctuary – A perfect place for bird watchers as it has more than 150 species of birds including migratory ones during winter season from November to January every year.
