Mandu Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination Mandu

Places to visit in the city Mandu

JAMI MASJID - Mandu

Built in 1454, the Jami Masjid is by far the most majestic building in Mandu. It is said that the builders had designed it after the Omayyed Mosque of Damascus. The best view of this monument can be had from the Ashrafi Mahal rising in front of it. Do, however, go inside. Wander around, examine the decorations on the lintel of the doorway, the jali (filigree) screens and the curious little domes of the prayer hall, which are believed to be acoustic devices to amplify voices and absorb echoes.

HOSHANG SHAH’S TOMB - Mandu

From the Jami Masjid, move on to the tomb of Hoshang Shah: a massive, foursquare monument with a huge dome. Constructed in AD 1435, it is reputed to be the oldest marble structure in India and depicts typical Hindu influences including carved marble lattice screens (jali). An inscription on the right jamb of the door mentions the name of Ustad Hamid who was involved with the building of the Taj Mahal in Agra.

ASHRAFI MAHAL - Mandu

Ashrafi Mahal was originally built as a madarsa (a Muslim religious school), but later extended to become Mohammed Shah’s tomb. Now only the ruins of this building are visible.

JAHAZ MAHAL - Mandu

One of the most popular monuments in Mandu, this ship-like structure was constructed by Ghiyas-ud-din, son of Mohammed Shah, for his harem. According to the legends, this harem was home to 15,000 maidens. There are two lakes on the east and west side of the palace that create a perfect illusion of a ship with its rectangular shape.

HINDOLA MAHAL - Mandu

Near the Jahaz Mahal is the unusual Hindola Mahal (or Swing Palace). It’s a large hall supported by sloping buttresses which, presumably, resembled the supports of a swing. According to local legends, both the Jahaz and Hindola Mahal were popular with the Mughals who had parties here on monsoon evenings.

CHAMPA BAOLI - Mandu

Champa Baoli is an interesting step-well on the north edge of the tank situated there. It was a popular hot-weather retreat and featured cool wells and bathrooms.

TAVELI MAHAL - Mandu

Taveli Mahal is located just south of Jahaz Mahal and now houses the antiquity gallery of the Archaeological Survey of India.

BAZ BAHADUR’S PALACE - Mandu

The Rewa Kund is actually a tank of sacred water from the river Rewa, another name for the Narmada. This is the place where the love of poet-prince Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati flowered. Baz Bahadur was the last independent king of Malwa who fell in love with an ordinary shepherdess called Roopmati. Unfortunately, their love had a tragic end when the great Mughal emperor, Akbar, spurned by Roopmati’s beauty, attacked Mandu and Baz Bahadur fled Mandu leaving his lover to poison herself. Baz Bahadur’s Palace was constructed in 1509 beside the Rewa Kund, well before he became the king. The palace displays a curious mix of Rajasthani and Mughal style of architecture. There was a water lift at the northern end of the tank to supply water to the tank.

ROOPMATI’S PAVILION - Mandu

Roopmati’s Pavilion, looking out over the distant river valley of the Narmada, is situated on the very edge of Mandu Fort. It is a very romantic building, a perfect setting for fairytale romance. From the pavilion at the end of the terrace of this palace you feel as if you are standing on the prow of a great ship, surging through a rising sea of clouds, with water streaming away in cascades as you ride the swell of your imagination. It’s a heady feeling!

NILKANTH TEMPLE - Mandu

Nilkanth (literally, the blue-throated one; another name of Lord Shiva) is a shrine dedicated to Shiva, the destroyer of the Hindu Trinity. Located on the edge of a steep gorge, the shrine is still visited by pilgrims.