Rajwada Maheshwar — Attraction in Maheshwar

Rajwada of Maheshar is built by the Holkars of the Maratha Empires about two centuries ago, which reflects in Maratha Architectural style dominantly , but it also show case Mughal and French trends.13 feet high Rani Ahilyaa Bai statue standing tall right at the main entrance is the special attraction of Rajwada. Rajwada is the place where Ahilyabai use to sit for administration and justice for all. Rajwada complex is best approachable from the north entrance of the fort which is called as Ahilya Dwar, one of the five gateways of the fort.

Rajwada area is like a courtyard of large house. Rajwada is a two stored wooden building. The entrance to the building opens into an open corridor, surrounded by a pillared verandah on all sides. As we enter we can see an Idol of Sri Krishna flanked by two cows. The open space in the middle is full of greenery with plants like Garden.

The rooms on the upper floor served as the royal residence while lower were meant for guests. At present visitors are not allowed to first floor. We can only visit lower floor where there is a small museum exhibiting objects used by Ahilya bhai. There are boards displayed which tells us briefly about Holkar's, Ahilya Bai and her works towards development of Holkar Kingdom. If you spend some time here you can understand the history of Holkar's and greatness of Rani Ahilyabai. Guests are available to show case entire fort and all nearby temples.

Special attraction of the Lower floor is Rani Ahilyabai Gaddi. In one of the open corridor Rani Ahilyabai used to have her Gaddi of the court, which is left to the main entrance when you are entering in to the Rajwada. This is where she sat and listened to her people, and did justice. Now thew is Gaddi surrounded by wooden pillars with a cotton mattresses to showcase those days arrangements as is and Rani Statue is arranged here to get feel of those days. By seeing this arrangement I understood the simplicity of the Rani Ahilyabai.

After visiting Rajwada Lower floor come out from the main entrance and turn towards your right while exit and there is one more entrance which takes you towards the place where Unique rituals that was put in place by Rani Ahilyabai herself and that continues till date.

In her days, 108 brahmins used to create 125000 miniature Shivalinga's every day from black earth, worship them and then offer them to the Narmada River. Today, 11 Brahmins create about 15000 Shivalinga's every day, worship them, and then offer them to Narmada River. This pooja happens every day between 08:00 to 10:00 in the morning. we went there in the afternoon to we were missed the same. please plan your visit to Rajwada in the morning to...

The Rajwada at Maheshwar is near the Maheshwar Fort. This was the residing place of Rajmata Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar. It’s a beautiful courtyard with tall trees . Devi Ahilya Bai used to sit and administer from here. The place has the ‘Rajgaddi’ or the thrown . Wooden pillars are erected with sculpturing over them. Many swords and weapons of that era are kept properly and open for the public to see. The courtyard let’s you feel close to nature by seeing all the trees that are part of it.

A golden swing is also present with-in the premises. One could see the swing from a distance in the room where it is...

This was the residence of great Queen Ahilyabai. The residence is well preserved and some of the stuff of her times are kept on display in the Rajwada. They also have written about the family tree of Holkars, various rulers and Ahilyabai's history. It's enlightening to know about Ahilyabai, who overcame great misfortune in her personal life over many decades, came out strong out of it and eventually left her mark as the greatest Queen this country...