Mandu ~ Celebration in Stone!! P.C. Pranati Kamani

Mandu or Mandavgad described as "magical", "ruined", " romantic" , " city of joy", "architectural masterpiece", celebration in stone, of life and joy, of the love of the poet Baz Bahadur for his beautiful consort Rani Roopmati!

Let me tell you it is all of these!!

When I visited Indore, I just had to visit Mandu!!

Located in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, is a delight to visit in the monsoons or winter!
Even during the relentless heat of the dry season, the ruins make an exotic spectacle!!

The elevated plateau is a scene of the most enchanting variety! Undulating tracts shaded by trees and dark pools nestled in the rocky hollows and ravines, and the breath taking views of the valley!

Baz Bahadur the last independent ruler of Malwa, retreated to Mandu to study music after he lost in battle with Rani Durgavati!

Baz Bahadur fell in love with a Hindu singer Roopmati. They married but did not live happily ever after!

Songs of the romance of these royal lovers, are still sung by the balladeers of Malwa!

Baz Bahadur built a pavillion on a high ridge, so that his bride to be could get the view of the sacred river Narmada and valley below! The romantic Roopmati Pavilion still rests on a ridge above Rewa Kund, and gazes down at Baz Bahadur's palace, a magnificent expression of Afghan architecture !
The views from here are breathtaking,  and on a clear day you can see the sacred river as she winds her way to the Arabian sea.

It is worth spending a couple of nights in Mandu to explore the ruins and to witness a memorable sunset over the Narmada valley!!

"Naam Goom Jayega" the beautiful song from the 1977 movie Kinara starring Hema Malini and Jeetendra is filmed in Mandu!!

Mandu can be reached by Road from Indore 100kms away. There are regular flights and trains  from major cities in India to Indore.

There are many options for staying in Mandu.