Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh in India

Monday, April 24, 2017

Burhanpur is a small city in Madhya Pradesh. It is around 500 KM away from Mumbai city in Maharashtra. It is located very close to the Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh border.

Burhanpur was ruled by various dynasties in the course of time. Rashtrakuta Dynasty, The Faruqi Dynasty, The Moghuls and finally the Marathas. 

There are a lot of historical sites in and around Burhanpur which are a must of history lovers. 

The important places are Asirgarh fort, Shahi Qila, Kundi Bhandara, Dargah-e-Hakimi.

Burhanpur is known for its textile industry. As we travelled in the interiors of the city, we could hear the sound of the machines. Most houses have power looms within their premises. Small scale industries.

Fathima told me that entry and exit from Burhanpur town is via a Darwaza. Meaning the entire town is built in fort like premises with walls surrounding it. Interesting . Something similar to Vasai fort near Mumbai. 

Burhanpur has got both retail and wholesale shops, selling clothes, grains and other articles. 

There are many places to stay and eat here. We stayed at Hotel Madhuvan (lodging only). The food in Burhanpur is extremely cheap and good. We tried at Rehmaniya Restaurant and Sattar Mutton Hotel. They serve both Veg and Non Veg (Chicken and Mutton). What about beef? I asked.

The hotels won't serve you beef but the roadside small sizes eateries will serve you beef samosa and beef cutlet. Yummy and very economical cost wise. No side effects on the next day either. 

The beef will surely make my trip complete. Jaora is another city in Madhya Pradesh where I went crazy eating beef. 

As we had come from Mumbai, we had a tough time getting signals on our Vodafone SIM cards in and around Burhanpur. 

We had a few more places on our itinerary for the next day.

Dargah-e-hakimi located in Lodhipura, Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

Monday, April 17, 2017

Dargah-e-Hakimi is located in  Lodhipura, Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh. One has to travel by the Dargah-e-Hakimi road to reach it.
After being disappointed at Kundi Bhandara, we travelled around 7 KM to reach Dargah-e-Hakimi.

Syedi Abdul Qadir Hakimuddin (1665 - 1730 AD) is the holy saint of the Bora Community. He was buried in Burhanpur. His grave is visited by pilgrims all year round. 

The Dargah-e-Hakimi complex comprises of Mosque, gardens and accommodation for the pilgrims. 

Dargah-e-hakimi

Non Bora Community members are also allowed in the Dargah premises. They have to cover their heads. The Dargah premises was packed with people. 

The domes of the Mosque's are beautifully designed. All the three mosques are white in color. The white colored mosque and the blue color skies made the picture perfect.

Though there were so many people seated there, not a sound could I hear. There was silence. A nice place to be at peace with oneself. 

After Fathima offered prayers, we then headed out of the premises to have some snacks in the form of samosa's and meat cutlets. 

The time was 6 PM on my watch and we had to hunt for a place to stay for the night. We decided to head to Burhanpur town for accommodation. 

After checking a couple of places we finally settled down for Hotel Madhuvan located very close to the Kali Masjid aka Jama Masjid in Burhanpur. 

The rooms were not that great.But that didn't bother us much as we are travelers and we were there to visit historical sites, instead of staying in the room. The room cost was Rs.600 for a double bed non AC. We didn't take AC rooms as it was cold there. The good thing about this hotel is that the checkout time is 24 hours from the time one checks in. Nice na. As we checked in at 6:30 PM on Friday evening, we were to checkout at 6:30 PM on Saturday evening. 

We paid the rickshaw driver Rs.1200 for showing us around.

Kundi Bhandara located in Sultanpura near Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Kundi Bhandara is located in Sultanpura near Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh. One has to travel by the Kundi Bhandara Road to reach it. 

Information on Kundi Bhandara located in Sultanpura near Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

After visiting Raja Jai Singh ki Chhatri, we headed by rickshaw to Kundi Bhandara. The route details are tagged on Google maps. It is around 14 KM away. Though it is much closer from Burhanpur. 
As we were approaching this place,  the rickshaw driver showed us small wells by the side of the roads. He informed us that there are many such wells around Burhanpur. There are a total of 103 wells. The first one is for Air and the others for water. The depth of these wells ranges from 30 feet to 80 feet.

We saw these unknown tombs on the way to Kundi Bhandara

The Kundi Bhandara aka underground water management and distribution system, was formed when Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana in 1615 AD. This system of water distribution was in use in Iran and Iraq. It helped in distributing clean and pure water to the citizens of Burhanpur. 

Kundi Bhandara premises, the lift which goes underground is blue in color in the centre of the photo

Kundi Bhandara is not in use now. But it was used extensively in its hay days. i.e. atleast 3 centuries. 

Information on Kundi Bhandara

There is a small lift that takes one to the bottom of the underground system. But sadly that day it was under maintenance so we couldn't see it from the inside. I was informed by the rickshaw driver that it is dark in there and that one needs a good torch to see it. It is also filled with water. 

Wells located all over Burhanpur

Disappointed that we couldn't see it its functioning, we headed to Dargah-E-Hakimi in Burhanpur.

Raja Jai singh ki chhatri in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

Monday, April 3, 2017

Raja Jai Singh ki Chhatri is located at Boharda in Madhya Pradesh. Shahi Qila in Burhanpur is around 6.5 KM away.

Raja Jai singh ki chhatri in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

This site is tagged on Google maps. But the approach road is not in very good condition. As we were travelling in the rickshaw it took us ages to reach there.

One has to travel by the Mohana road to reach it. The Chhatri is located very close to River Tapti. There is no civilization around the structure. It is in the middle of nowhere.

History of Raja Jai singh ki chhatri in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

Fathima and Me at Raja Jai singh ki chhatri in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

There is no provision for food and water here. 

The Chhatri was constructed by Emperor Aurangzeb in honor of the memory of Raja Jai Singh. He was the commander of the Mughal Force. He died in Burhanpur. 

Raja Jai singh ki chhatri in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

The square shaped structure is built on a podium. With a fleet of stairs to reach it. The structure is open from all sides. There is a big dome surrounded by eight small domes. There are beautifully carved arched pillars supporting the domes. 

Raja Jai singh ki chhatri in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

Raja Jai singh ki chhatri in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

The dome is very airy from the inside. The cool breeze makes you want to sit there and enjoy the wild vegetation around. One has to remove ones footwear to visit it. There is a caretaker for it too.
From there we traveled to Kundi Bhandara. On the way we located a couple of tombs ,  but there were no signboards, around them, making it hard to identify them.

Bibi ki masjid in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh

Monday, February 13, 2017

Bibi ki Masjid is located in Monin Pura in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh.

Closed entrance to Bibi ki masjid in Burhanpur

Directions to it are tagged on Google maps.

The Masjid is currently closed and not accessible to public. We were disappointed once again. The first time at Kundi Bhandara,and the second at this place.

Another photo of Bibi ki masjid in Burhanpur

By the look of it, from the outside was quite a old structure.
Begum Ruquiyawife of King Azam Humayum built the first Jama Masjid in Itwara Burhanpur , it was also called as Bibi ki Masjid.

We then asked a couple of locals who informed us that certain portions of the Masjid are in need of repairs and hence it is kept closed. Repair work is being conducted inside. Also the local Muslims have asked for the Masjid to be kept open so that they can offer prayers. As this monument is under the ASI, they have been advised to offer prayers in Kali or Jama Masjid located close by.

The walls of Bibi ki masjid in Burhanpur

There are a couple of shops around so one can find food and water. Though we didn't go searching as we had our provisions.

We then headed off to see the tombs or Nadir shah and his brother Adil Shah of the Farooqi Dynasty, located a couple of KM away.