Madhya Pradesh · India
Indore
India's cleanest — and arguably tastiest — city, where Holkar-era palaces meet the legendary night-food streets of Sarafa and Chappan Dukan.
Indore is Madhya Pradesh's culinary capital, famed for poha-jalebi, namkeen and its Sarafa night bazaar; it treasures Maheshwari sarees and Holkar heritage.
Plan your trip
Indore Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Indore Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Free (no photography inside)
Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)
- Best timeMorning, when the bazaar lane outside is calmer and you can photograph the façade without crowds.
- ColorsWhitePastelGold
High crowdEntry Free
Khajrana Ganesh Temple
- Best timeEarly morning on a weekday, when the queues are short and the gateway is in soft light.
- ColorsSaffronRedYellow
Entry ₹10 (Indian) / ₹100 (foreign)
Lal Bagh Palace
- Best timeMorning, soon after opening, for soft light on the front of the palace and quieter gardens.
- ColorsIvoryEmeraldWine
High crowdEntry ₹20
Rajwada Palace
- Best timeEarly evening into blue hour, when the lights come on and the square fills with people; early morning for a clear view before the traffic builds.
- ColorsMaroonGoldCream
Entry Free
Sarafa Bazaar
- Best timeNight, after about 9:30 pm, when the stalls are lit, the pans are hot and the lane is full of people.
- ColorsBright solidsYellowCobalt
For the feed
Trending Wear in Indore
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Indore Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Before you go
Temples in Indore
Darshan hours, dress codes and what gets refused at the gate
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Indore
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Indore
Representative photoChappan Dukan
New Palasia
Dutt Gurukripa Restaurant
South Tukoganj
Representative photoJoshi Dahi Bada House
Sarafa Bazaar
Representative photoNafees Restaurant
Sneh Nagar
Representative photoVijay Chaat House
Sarafa Bazaar
About Indore
Indore is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh and the state's main commercial centre, set on the Malwa plateau at about 550 m. It became the capital of the Holkars, a Maratha ruling family, in 1818, and their seven-storey Rajwada still stands at the heart of the old city, with Lal Bagh Palace, their later European-style home, a short drive south. Indore is also known for keeping itself clean: it has been named India's cleanest city in the government's Swachh Survekshan survey eight years in a row, most recently in 2024–25.
Most visitors come for the food. Start the day as locals do with poha-jalebi, spend the morning around Rajwada and the mirror-lined Kanch Mandir, and visit Khajrana Ganesh Temple. After about 9 pm, once the jewellery shops of Sarafa Bazaar close, the lane fills with food stalls serving bhutte ka kees, sabudana khichdi and sweets. Indore is also a good base for day trips to Ujjain (about 55 km), Omkareshwar (about 80 km), and the Narmada town of Maheshwar and the hilltop ruins of Mandu, both about 90 km away.
Questions
Indore — FAQ
What is Indore famous for?
Indore is famous for its street food, especially poha-jalebi and the Sarafa Bazaar night food market, and for being named India's cleanest city eight years in a row. It is also known for Holkar history at Rajwada and Lal Bagh Palace, the glass-covered Kanch Mandir and Khajrana Ganesh Temple.
How many days are enough for Indore?
2 days is enough for the city: one for Rajwada, Kanch Mandir and Sarafa Bazaar at night, and one for Lal Bagh Palace, Khajrana Ganesh Temple and Chappan Dukan. Add a day for each trip out to Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar or Mandu.
What is the best time to visit Indore?
October to March is the most comfortable time, with warm days and cool nights. April to June is very hot, often around 40 °C, and July to September brings the monsoon rain. See the best time to visit Indore for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Indore?
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, about 8 km west of the city centre, has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other big cities. Indore Junction railway station is in the city centre, and buses and cabs connect Indore with Ujjain, Bhopal and the rest of Madhya Pradesh.
Why is Indore called India's cleanest city?
Indore has topped the government's Swachh Survekshan cleanliness survey eight years in a row, most recently in 2024–25. Waste is collected from every home and sorted at source into six categories. Visitors are expected to do their part too, so use the bins and do not litter.