Discover Dhar: Fort, temples and regional culture

Dhar Fort combines a long history of construction with views across the city: Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq had it built in 1344. Today, the fort houses a museum, and the ramparts offer panoramic views over Dhar. Here, you can take in historic architecture, exhibitions and city views all in one place.

Fort, Mosque and Temples in Dhar

Lat Masjid also tells the story of the area. Dilawar Khan had the mosque built in 1405. It was named after an iron pillar erected on its grounds. The windows and pillars combine Mughal and Rajput architectural styles. Dhareshwar Temple is Dhar’s most important Shiva temple and is considered to have been built by King Munj of the Parmar dynasty. It is located on Dhareshwar Road.

The ancient Gadh-Kalika Temple stands near the Devi-Sagar pond, on a hill that is probably the highest in the city of Dhar. A special ritual shapes visits to the temple: devotees first draw an inverted swastika, then return after their wishes have been fulfilled to draw an upright one. The Bhaktamar Temple in Dhar is dedicated exclusively to the Bhaktamar Stotra. The grounds of Bhaktamar Tirth offer facilities for overnight stays, meals and meditation.

Jain Pilgrimage Sites and Religious Dates

Mohan Kheda Jain Tirth is built predominantly from white marble. Its temple in Mohankheda was built in 1884, and Lord Adinath is the principal deity. The Tirth has three large guesthouses, with a total of 250 rooms for visitors. A large festival is held in Bhopawar every year on Paush Dashmi. If you want to plan your trip around this date, check the exact date in advance.

A religious site is also at the heart of Nityanand Ashram: its grounds include a samadhi temple dedicated to Baba Nityanand. Large numbers of devotees visit the ashram on Guru Purnima and Dussehra. During Shravan, the Dharnath ki Palki, also known as Chhabina, passes through Dhar. Laal Bagh offers a different attraction: its main draw is the miniature railway. These examples highlight different aspects of the area: temple architecture and rituals, a seasonal procession, and the miniature railway at Laal Bagh.

Water, Handicrafts and Cuisine in Dhar District

Dhar’s 12½ ponds are interconnected: when one fills up, water flows into the next. On the banks of the Baghani River lie the Bagh Caves, a group of nine rock-cut monuments on the southern slopes of the Vindhyas near Bagh. They date to around the 6th century AD. Their riverside setting, rock-cut architecture and approximate age make them a distinctive destination within the district.

Bagh Print, a traditional hand block-printing technique using natural dyes, is produced in Bagh. Those interested in design and crafts can find a different way to experience the region here than through its temples and monuments. The cuisine also has its own regional character: Dal Bafla is considered a popular dish in Dhar district and a variation on traditional Dal Baati. Another historical feature is a baobab tree brought to Mandav during Mahmud Khilji’s rule in the 14th century and renamed Khurasani Imli.

Mandu and Bhopawar as Further Destinations

In Mandu, the Royal Complex covers 123 acres and includes 14 monuments managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. A two-storey palace stands between the artificial lakes of Munj Talao and Kapur Talao. It is about 120 metres long, 15 metres wide and 9.7 metres high. Its position between the two lakes is as much a part of its description as its dimensions. Regular bus services connect Mandu with Dhar.

The Mandu Festival is scheduled for January; its programme includes live concerts, adventure sports and cycling expeditions. If you plan to attend the Mandu Festival, check the exact dates before your trip. Buses connect Dhar and Sardarpur with Bhopwar. The local festival during Paush Dashmi offers another date to plan around. This lets you weigh architecture, religious traditions, crafts and seasonal events when planning, rather than reducing every place to a single reason for visiting.

Discover more destinations: Dhar, Tikamgarh, Khandwa, Chhatarpur, Rajgarh, Sheopur, Katni, Barwani.

For the broader travel overview: Madhya Pradesh.