HISTORY AND ORIGIN

It is an ancient town on the banks of the Narmada River. In ancient Indian scriptures, it is mentioned as Mahishmati. Yes, the same name you might have heard in the blockbuster Bahubali. This is supposed to be a place where Ravan was held prisoner for 6 months by king Sahastrarjun. His temple can be seen at the RajRajeshwar temple complex. Both, our epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata mention Maheshwar. It was also a part of Avanti that we better know as Ujjain. In the recorded history, we know it was under Mauryas, Guptas & Harshvardhan before falling to Delhi Sultanate and Akbar. It came back to Marathas in 18th CE. When Ahilya Bai Holkar took over the Subedari of Malwa, she shifted the capital from Indore to this place. This is where she ruled from, driving her strength from her faith in Shiva and Narmada. At this place, you are never far away from the Narmada.

How To Reach

While Maheshwar does not have its own airport, it is close to Indore which is wellconnected to most places in the state and the country. Maheshwar has good road connectivity which makes it accessible from most major parts of India. Here is how to reach Maheshwar.

BY AIR

Nearest airport is the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport. The nearest airport is at Indore; located about 91 km from Maheshwar. The airport is well connected by flights to cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bhopal. From the airport, visitors can hire a taxi to reach Maheshwar.

BY TRAIN

The nearest railhead is at Barwaha; located about 39 km from Maheshwar. Indore is the nearest major railhead. Trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Bhopal and many other Indian cities halt at the station. From the station, visitors can hire taxi for Maheshwar.

BY ROAD

Maheswar can be reached easily by road. Several state-run buses do ply regularly from Indore, Bhopal, Khandwa, Dhar, Dhamnod and many other cities of Madhya Pradesh.

Geography

Maheshwar, also called Choli-Maheshwar, town, southwestern Madhya Pradesh state, central India. It lies on the north bank of the Narmada River, about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Indore. The town is located on the ancient site of Maheshvari, the capital (c. 200 BCE) of Kartavirya Arjuna, a Haihaya king mentioned in the Sanskrit epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Broad ghats—stepped bathing places—sweep from the river upward toward the fort, temples, and the palace of Ahalya Bai, a queen who selected Maheshwar as her capital in 1767. A 16th-century mosque is also of historical interest. On the opposite bank of the Narmada lies the early site of Navdatoli, where painted pottery and other artifacts have been excavated. Maheshwar is an agricultural market centre. The town is also famous for its hand-loomed saris and locally manufactured brass utensils.

Demographics

Maheshwar is a Nagar Panchayat city in district of West Nimar, Madhya Pradesh. The Maheshwar city is divided into 15 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. The Maheshwar Nagar Panchayat has population of 24,411 of which 12,447 are males while 11,964 are females as per report released by Census India 2011. Literacy rate of Maheshwar city is 81.21 % higher than state average of 69.32 %. In Maheshwar, Male literacy is around 88.40 % while female literacy rate is 73.78 %.

Area

Maheshwar is a town in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh state, in central India. It is located 13 km east of National Highway 3 (Agra-Mumbai highway) and 91 km from Indore, the commercial capital of the state. The Town lies on the north bank of the Narmada River.

District: Khargone

Country: India

State: Madhya Pradesh

Telephone code: 07283