Ujjain is situated on the banks of the river Shipra, regarded since times immemorial as sacred. The belief in the sacredness of Shipra, has its origins in the ancient Hindu mythological tale of churning of the Ocean by the Gods and the Demons, with Vasuki, the serpent as the rope. The ocean bed first yielded fourteen gems, then Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, and finally the coveted vessel of Nector. Then began the wild scramble for immortality with the demons chasing the Gods across the skies, and in the process, a few drops were spilt, and fell at Haridwar, Nasik, Prayag and Ujjayini.

Hence the sanctity of the waters of the Shipra. Mahakaleshwar Mandir, Bada Ganeshji Mandir, Chintaman Ganesh, Pir Matsyendranath, Bhrathari Caves, Kailadev Palace, Harsiddhi Temple, Siddhavat, Kalbhairav, Sandipani Ashram, Gadkalika, Mangalnath, Gopal Mandir, Navagraha Mandir (Triveni), The Vaidhashala (Observatory), Vikram Kirti Mandir, Vikram University, Kalidas Academy are places to visit.

Indore was planned & built by Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the brave Holkar queen in 1715. Two rivers Saraswati and Khan flow through the city and unite at the center where a small 18th century Indreshwar temple exists. The name Indore is derived from this deity. Indore is the most populated city in MP with a population of 25 lakhs and is 186 kms by road from Bhopal, capital of MP. Indore is a big commercial and industrial city with numerous industries.

Indore is also known as the Detroit of India because of the motor industries in the nearby Pithampur. Rajwada, Footy Kothi, Lalbagh Palace (Nehru Museum), Bada Ganpati, Kanch Mandir, Bijasan, Gomatgiri, Khajrana and Annapurna Temples are places to visit. Apart from attractive shopping malls, Indore is known for its sweets (mithai) and namkins. So please come prepared to carry these savories to your kith and kin.

Two of the twelve Jyotirlingas are in the neighborhood of Indore. In Ujjain, (56 kms) you have Mahakaleshwar temple on the banks of the sacred river Shipra and Omkareshwar (90 kms) on the banks of the sacred river Narmada. People with religious interest can visit these two places.

Perched along the Vindhya ranges at an altitude of 2,000 feet, Mandu, with its natural defenses, was originally the fort capital of the Parmar rulers of Malwa. Towards the end of the 13th century, it came under the sawy of the Sultans of Malwa, the first of whom named it Shadibad - 'city of joy'. And indeed the pervading spirit of Mandu was of gaiety; and its rulers built exquisite palaces like the Jahaz and Hindola Mahals, ornamental canals, baths and pavilions, as graceful and refined as those times of peace and plenty.

Each of Mandu's structures is an architectural gem; some are outstanding like the massive Jami Masjid and Hoshang Shah's tomb, which provided inspiration to the master builders of the Taj mahal centuries later. Places to visit: The Daewazas, The Central Group Hoshang Shah's Tomb, Jami Masjid, The Royal Enclave Jahaz Mahal, Hindola Mahal, Rewa Kund, Baz Bahadur's Palace, Rani Roopmati's Pavilion, Nilkanth Mahal.

Omkareshwar, the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. Here, at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the devout gather to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the twekve throughout India) at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata.

And here, as in so many of Madhya Pradesh's sacred shrines, the works of Nature complement those of man to provide a setting awe-inspiring in its magnificence. Places to visit: Shri Omkar Mandhara, Siddhanth Temple, Satmatrika Temple, Kajal Rani Cave.

Maheshwar was a glorious city at the dawn of Indian civilization when it was Mahishmati, capital of king Kartiviryarjun. This temple town on the banks of the river Narmada finds mention in the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Revived to its ancient position of importance by the Holkar queen Rani Ahilyabai of Indore.

Maheshwar's temples and mighty fort-complex stand in quiet beauty, mirrored in the river below. Today, Maheshwar is also known for its distinctive hand-woven sarees called Maheshwari. Places to visit: Maheshwar, Narmada Ghat, Rajgaddi and Rajwada Temples.