Multai, India
Region: Madhya Pradesh
Geographic Coordinates: 21.770000, 78.250000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 40.0°C (68°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 161819
Language: Marathi
Multai is a small town located in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, India. The town is situated on the banks of the Tapti River which adds to its scenic beauty. Multai has a rich cultural heritage and historical significance as it was once ruled by various dynasties such as the Marathas, Mughals, And British. One of the most prominent attractions in Multai is the famous shrine of Sant Tukaram. His shrine attracts devotees from all over India who come to pay their respects and seek blessings.
Another popular attraction in Multai is the historic fort of Rajgarh which dates back to 16th century. The fort offers stunning views of surrounding hills and valleys providing visitors with insight into ancient architecture. Multai also has several natural attractions that are worth exploring such as Satpura National Park, Pachmarhi Hill Station, Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary etc., Offering opportunities for trekking, Camping, Bird watching and wildlife spotting. The town celebrates several festivals throughout year including Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi among others where people come together to celebrate with music performances and traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya Raas.
The local cuisine includes dishes like Poha Jalebi (a breakfast dish made with flattened rice flakes), Dal Bafla (a savory dish made with lentil soup served with baked wheat balls), Bhutte ki kees (a corn-based snack) among others which are unique to this region. Overall Multai offers a perfect blend of history, Culture, Nature along with mouth-watering food making it an ideal place for tourists looking for an offbeat destination in India.
- Kala Mahal: A historical fort built during the Mughal era that has been converted into a museum.
- Dargah-e-Hakimi: A famous shrine dedicated to Hazrat Syedna Abdul Qadir Hakimuddin Maula.
- Hanuman Mandir: A temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
- Shiv Temple: A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Multai Fort: An ancient fort that is now in ruins but still attracts visitors for its historical significance.
- Tapti River Dam: A popular picnic spot located on the banks of the Tapti river.
- Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary: Located around 50 km from Multai, this sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife species including tigers, leopards, and sloth bears.
- Satpura Tiger Reserve: Located around 100 km from Multai, this reserve is known for its rich biodiversity and tiger population.
- Pachmarhi Hill Station: Located around 150 km from Multai, this picturesque hill station offers scenic views and various adventure activities like trekking and rock climbing.
- Narmada River Ghat: This ghat located near Multai offers a serene environment along with beautiful sunrise/sunset views on the Narmada river bank.
- Multai is a small town located in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- The town has several industries and businesses that provide employment opportunities to the local population.
- The primary industry in Multai is agriculture, with most of the population engaged in farming.
- The main crops grown here include soybean, wheat, and maize.
- Multai is also known for its traditional handicrafts like pottery, weaving, and embroidery.
- Additionally, there are a few textile mills that produce cotton fabrics.
- Several small-scale industries such as oil mills, rice mills and flour mills also operate in Multai providing employment to locals.
- Retail shops selling groceries, household items and clothing can be found throughout the town.
- In addition to these industries and businesses mentioned above; Multai also has a few service sector businesses like banks and healthcare facilities.
- Overall agriculture remains the primary source of income for most people in Multai while other industries provide supplementary income opportunities for them.
- The Battle of Multai in 1564 was a significant event that saw the Mughal Empire emerge victorious over the Deccan Sultanates, resulting in Multai becoming a part of their empire.
- Rani Durgavati was a courageous queen who ruled over Gondwana, which included Multai, and fought against Emperor Akbar’s invading forces until her death defending her kingdom.
- Tukoji Rao Holkar was an influential ruler of Indore state and played an essential role in India’s independence struggle against British rule.
- Swami Vivekananda visited Multai during his travels across India to spread his message of Vedanta philosophy and spirituality.
- Mahatma Gandhi also visited Multai in 1921 as part of his non-cooperation movement against British rule.
- The Shri Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama is a spiritual center established by Swami Vivekananda’s disciples to promote education, healthcare, and social welfare activities in the region around Multai.
- The Sita Ram Temple is an ancient temple located in Multai that has been attracting devotees from all over India for more than four centuries.
- The Satpura Tiger Reserve near Multai is home to several endangered species like tigers, leopards, sloth bears etc., making it a popular tourist destination for nature lovers worldwide.
- Kala Mandir: An art center that showcases the cultural heritage of the region through various art forms.
- Hanuman Temple: A temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is believed to be one of the oldest temples in Multai.
- Multai Fort: A historical monument built during the reign of the Maratha Empire and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
- Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary: A wildlife sanctuary located near Multai that is home to a variety of animals such as tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and more.
- Shiv Temple: A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that is known for its intricate carvings and architecture.
- Gwalior Fort: A magnificent fort located near Multai that was once ruled by various dynasties including Mughals and Marathas.
- Bhimbetka Caves: Located around 70 km from Multai, these caves are famous for their prehistoric rock paintings dating back thousands of years ago.
- Pachmarhi Hill Station: Located around 100 km from Multai, this hill station offers breathtaking views of waterfalls, valleys, and lush green forests.
- Dussehra: A significant Hindu festival celebrated in Multai and all over India that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
- Holi: Another important Hindu festival celebrated in Multai and other areas of India known as the festival of colors, where people throw colored powder at each other.
- Diwali: Also known as the festival of lights, this is another significant Hindu celebration observed in Multai and throughout India.
- Kumbh Mela: A major pilgrimage event taking place every 12 years across different cities in India, including Nashik near to Multai.
- Ganesh Chaturthi: A ten-day long Hindu festival commemorating Lord Ganesha’s birthday with great enthusiasm.
- Mahashivratri: A Hindu Festival dedicated to Lord Shiva that falls on the 13th night/14th day of Phalguna (February/March) every year.
These are just a few examples of cultural events and festivals occurring in Multai; there may be many more throughout the year based on local customs and traditions or national holidays such as Independence Day or Republic Day etc.
- Poha: A dish made of flattened rice flakes mixed with spices and vegetables.
- Bhutte ki Kees: A dish made of grated corn sautéed with spices and served with sev.
- Sabudana Khichdi: A dish made of tapioca pearls cooked with peanuts and spices.
- Dal Bafla: A dish made of boiled dough balls served with dal (lentil soup) and ghee (clarified butter).
- Rajasthani Thali Restaurant: Serves authentic Rajasthani cuisine including dal bati churma, gatte ki sabzi, laal maas, etc.
- Hotel Shivam Palace: Serves vegetarian food including North Indian dishes like paneer tikka masala, chole bhature, etc.
- Hotel Shree Ganesh Bhavan: Serves vegetarian food including South Indian dishes like dosa, idli sambar, etc.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list and there may be other popular local cuisines/restaurants in Multai as well.
- Multai Forest Reserve – a protected forest area with hiking trails, bird watching opportunities, and wildlife spotting.
- Gandhi Park – a public park with landscaped gardens, walking paths, playgrounds for children, and seating areas.
- Jogging Track – a designated running track for fitness enthusiasts.
- Sports Complex – a facility with sports fields for football, cricket or volleyball matches.
- Adventure Sports – outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities like trekking or camping in nearby hills or riversides.
It is recommended to check local websites or travel guides for the latest information on these attractions before planning your visit to Multai.
