Indore to Gaya Flights

  About Indore

Indore, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the largest cities in the state. The city's rich culture and history are what makes this city special. It is also one of the education hubs in the country. It has an IIT as well as an IIM college. The Indreshwar Mahadev temple is a popular tourist attraction here. According to beliefs, Lord Indra meditated hereafter which Swami Indrapuri established the temple. This is also one of the pivotal reasons why the city was named Indore. It is also voted as one of the cleanest cities in India.

Best Time to Visit Indore

October to March is considered to be ideal for planning a trip to Indore, so from July to September. Summers can get pretty hot here and is not the best time to plan a trip to Indore. The city experiences winter from October to March and the climate is quite pleasant. This is also the peak season, so make sure you keep an eye out for good flight deals to Indore. You can explore the city during the day and night, too, in winter. You can also book a hotel in Indore that has a scenic view and with good offers.

Monsoon begins from July and lasts till September. The city experiences moderate to heavy rainfalls but very frequently. The climate is humid, and while you can enjoy sightseeing at certain locations in the city, other activities might come to a standstill because of the rains. Since this is off-season in the city, you might get cheap flight tickets to Indore.

Summers are from March till June. The temperature goes up to 45 degree Celsius, and the weather is also quite humid, which makes it the worst time to visit the city. Even though evenings and nights can be quite pleasant, getting out of your hotel room during the day can drain you, thanks to the humidity.

Places to Visit in Indore

Indore's Lal Bagh Palace is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city for all the right reasons. The rulers of the Holkar dynasty used to reside in the palace, and the palace reflects the grand lifestyle of the rulers. The European style of architecture, the exquisite Persian and the magnificent chandeliers add to the royalty of the palace. Kanch Mandir, which is close to Rajwada Palace, is also known for its architecture. It is made of Belgian stained glass and mirrors. The Rajwada Palace, built-in 1747 AD by Malhar Rao Holkar is another palace that will leave you impressed. The 200-year-old palace is a blend of Maratha, Mughal and French styles of architecture. You can also book a hotel in Indore that is closer to the Rajwada Palace. The city has a lot of palaces and structures that were built by and during the Holkar dynasty.

If you are visiting Indore during monsoon, make sure you check out the Patalpani waterfall that is about 30 km away from the city. Soak in this picturesque view with a few snacks that you can buy from the stalls near the waterfall. The Annapurna temple sees a lot of tourists and devotees every year. Dedicated to the Goddess of food, this temple looks grand with four life-sized elephant sculptures at the entrance. You can embrace your spiritual side at the temple. Sarafa Market is one of the most popular places for you to try the mouth-watering delicacies that Indore has to offer.

For all the animal lovers out there and budding wildlife photographers, head to the Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary. River Ganga, one of the holiest rivers in India, also flows through the forest. The Bamniya Kund is yet another waterfall that nature lovers will find peaceful. You can also tour through any one of the famous malls in the city to get your hands on some Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees. If you are good at haggling, you might even get more than what you planned to buy. After spending a day shopping for clothes, jewellery and accessories, you can spend the evening trying out the local street food in Indore.

Things to do in Indore

Visit the Rajwada Palace and be amazed by the beautiful architecture that is a blend of Mughal, Maratha and French styles. In fact, there are quite a few palaces in the city that you can visit and be amazed by their architecture. You can also go to the Central Museum to know more about Indian history, especially all the facts and stories related to Madhya Pradesh. You will also find a lot of medieval Hindu and Jain sculptures in the museum. Visit the Patalpani waterfalls to be amazed by nature. You can even look for treks and hikes that happen around the city. If you are looking for an outdoor or adventurous activity to do, you can do trekking to one of the hills or waterfalls. The wildlife sanctuaries that you visit will also be quite the experience, and you can even take stunning pictures here.

Sarafa Bazaar is a famous area in Indore. While you can go shopping for gold and silver during the day, the market becomes a place for all foodies to gather. You will find a lot of stalls and food carts selling lip-smacking food here. Go for a walk around the Choral Dam and lose yourself in the serenity of the environment as it is one of the most beautiful places in the city. Janapav Kuti is a mountain that is also the highest peak in the Vindhyachal range and the best spot for nature lovers. There are quite a lot of waterfalls that you can go to in Indore. There are also quite a few museums in the city you can visit to get to know more about the history of the state. You will also find a lot of temples where you can embrace your spiritual side or even sit and meditate for a while.

Food and Restaurants in Indore

Indore is known for its delicious Poha, Bhutte ki kees, Sabudana Khichdi, Dahi Vade, Malpuas, Jalebis and the list goes on. In fact, you even get different flavours of pani puri in the city. The Joshi Dahi Bada House at Sarafa Bazaar serves the best Dahi Vadas in the city. Garadu is a special Aloo chaat dish that is a speciality in Indore. People in Indore add a special spice mix to it, which is what makes it special. You'll find a lot of shops at Sarafa Bazaar that serve them. It might sound like a weird combination but Poha Jalebi is a very popular dish served in Indore. Do stop at Young Tarang in Chhapan Dukaan to try the Poha Jalebi.

Bhutte Ki Kees is a very special corn recipe that you must have in Indore. You won't get this elsewhere. Try out this snack at Joshi Dahi Bada House. The Khopra Patties at Vijay Chaat House in Chhapan Dukaan is also quite popular. If you want to take a break from street food, you can opt for On The House, a popular restaurant that has party rooms with themes and lip-smacking food, too. Delhi Grill is yet another restaurant that you can go to if you want to have good food on a budget. Shreemaya Celebrity, a bakery that is next to the Shreemaya Restaurant at AB Road, is another popular place in the city. It's quite affordable and an apt place to hang out with your friends or family. If it is Rajasthani food that you are craving, make sure that you stop by Nakhrali Dhani. It is one of the most excellent restaurants to have authentic Rajasthani cuisine in the city.

How to reach Indore (Transportation)

By Air

Since Indore is a popular tourist destination and capital of the state, too, it is well-connected to other cities. Not only is it an important tourism hub, but it is also a commercial hub. The flight connectivity from Indore to other cities is excellent. The Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport is only 8 km away from the city centre. The domestic routes from Indore to other cities are to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Bhopal, Delhi and so on. There aren't a lot of international flights from Indore to other countries, but you can take connecting flights to other cities from here.

By Rail

You will get direct trains to Indore from cities like Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Bangalore. Even though the rails are well-connected to other cities, it is a long journey depending on where you board the train from. You will easily get a taxi or cab from outside the station to reach your hotel or any other part of the city.

By Road

Indore is connected to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Agra and Pune by road. The NH3, NH 59 and NH 59A highways are some of the popular routes to Indore by road. There are government-run buses and private AC buses, too, that you can opt for to reach Indore from neighbouring cities. It is not one of the most preferred modes of transport, but it is not the most tedious one, too.

  About Gaya

Located in the state of Bihar is Gaya, popularly known as Bodh Gaya, for its spiritual significance. The city of Gaya is a popular pilgrimage in the state and attracts Hindus and Buddhists from around the world.

One of the key reasons behind Hindus visiting the Gaya is to make funeral offerings to give the deceased's soul solace. Known as Pind Daan, the puja is only performed here in Gaya and is said to have strong religious values. The Pind Daan puja is conducted by the family of the deceased to bring their ancestor's souls to peace. The rituals are said to help the ancestors and their wandering souls find some peace and harmony in the nether worlds, after death. To perform this puja, people come from around the world as the beliefs are strong.

Hills surround the city of Gaya as the Himalayan range continues to sprawl across the expanses of Bihar as well. The Vishnupad temple, located at the heart of the Gaya city, holds tremendous religious significance. It is believed that the temple was originally built by Maratha princess Ahliyabai, back in the 18th century. Much like the city, even the hills that surround Gaya are known to be sacred and places of sanctity. The temple city has important shrines located in different directions from the centre of the city.

Gaya is also of spiritual significance to Buddhists as it is believed that Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment in this small town of Bihar. Bodhgaya has a vast expanse of Buddhist temple constructed with various spiritual significance. The city of Gaya holds importance for the Hindus and Buddhists for two impactful incidences are related to the place.

With the demand the city of Gaya has, the flight connectivity for domestic routes as well as international routes is quite high. There are numerous flights available from within the country and international destinations. The spiritual haven attracts Buddhists and Hindus every year to perform prayers and seek blessings. Ensure to book hotels well in advance during peak season as you might have trouble finding accommodation.

Best time to visit Gaya

Pitrapaksh month, also known as the period of ancestors in Hinduism, is considered to be the ideal time to visit Gaya. During this time, pilgrim activities are performed by families to help the souls of their ancestors to attain salvation. The Pitripaksh month falls in the monsoon season. The months September and October are observed as Pithru months, and during this season, various pilgrims arrive to seek blessings and help their ancestors. Another favoured month is during Buddha Purnima, which falls in the summer months of April-May. Buddhist monks and followers arrive at the Gaya to observe the teachings of Gautama Buddha and to seek his blessings. In terms of weather, Bodhgaya sees a spike in temperatures during summer, especially May. However, since the month is observed as Buddha Purnima, tourists don't mind the excess heat.

Places to see in Gaya

Mahabodhi Temple complex

South from the Brahmayoni hill is the temple of Bodh Gaya. The site is said to be a pilgrimage to the Buddhists and has the Mahabodhi Temple Complex. The site is often visited by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as it is the land where their guru, Gautama Buddha, attained Enlightenment. Not just Buddhists but even Hindus flock over to the temple complex as it has a calm and serene vibe that helps people find peace. Buddhists, as well as Hindus, venerate Bodh Gaya.

Vishnupad Temple

The ancient Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located beautifully along the banks of the Falgu river. Legend states that Lord Vishnu observed Gaya as the place of attainment of salvation for wandering souls. Whoever wishes to seek moksham on behalf of them and their ancestors, should make Pind Daan and perform some rituals for the same.

Kushinagar

Kushinagar is believed to be a civilisation built by Lord Rama's son King Kush with Kushvati as the capital. Although many Hindus believe that the pilgrimage town is the capital of the Kosala Kingdom, which was led by King Kush, the Buddhists think otherwise. According to their traditional beliefs, Kushvati was a name given to the land even before the Ramayana happened. In this village, you will find some important structures that are pivotal to Buddhism.

Some of the incredibly beautiful structures in Kushinagar involve the Parinirvana Stupa, Nirvana Chaitya, Ramabhar Stupa and Matha Kuar Shrine. The entire complex is actually believed to be the shrine of Gautama Buddha after he attained Enlightenment. The Parinirvana Stupa is a fancy structure that represents the 'dying Buddha' as the statue is in a reclining position. The statue is placed on top of a large brick with pedestals. The temple is sacred and pious and what drives Buddhists to the city of Gaya.

The Matha Kuar Shrine is yet again a huge statue of Lord Buddha which has been carved out of one block, to represent the Buddha being seated under the Bodhi tree in a 'bhumi sparsh mudra'. Every attribute about these structures hold a deeper meaning and should be explored.

Bakraur

Bakraur or Bakrour is another village located closely towards the east of Bodh Gaya. It is believed that Sujata, residing in this village, offered Guatam Buddha milk and rice before he reached Enlightenment. A statue has been erected to honour Sujata for catering to the Buddha.

Deo Surya Mandir

The Hindu temple of Deo Surya Mandir is a shrine of the Sun God. Located in the small town of Deo, the temple is often decorated for Chhath Puja, and devotees who visit the temple during the same are blessed.

Things to do in Gaya

You can take this as an opportunity to trek up the Bragmayoni. The highest hill, called Brahmayoni, is at the height of 450 ft above the Gaya plains. It is said that on this very hill, Buddha preached the Adittapariyaya Sutta (fire sermon) to a thousand ascetics. Enlightened by Buddha's teachings, the former fire-worshipping monks accepted the new discourse set by him. The hill has spiritual relevance in Buddhism and is often visited by Buddhist monks and believers.

Food and Restaurants in Gaya

Even though the place is a spiritual haven for pilgrims, there are some quaint cafes and fusion food joints that cater to all kinds of travellers. While you are in Bodh Gaya, you can spend a day relishing the simple but sublime food provided by the temples. There are various restaurants close to the temples which have basic but soul-satisfying food. Other restaurants and cafes that you can explore in Bodhgaya are Be Happy cafe, Zera Coffee Company, Fusion Food Factory, Taj Darbar Restaurant, Gautam Lassi Corner, Rose Apple Cafe, Tirupathi South Cafe, Mohammed's restaurant and more. These places offer appetising food that isn't necessarily void of flavour. Plus, the ambience of the joints is also quite good and definitely memorable. You can also spend some time investing in street food as there are a plethora of options in that department.

How to reach Gaya (Transportation)

By Air

Gaya is a spiritual centre and hence is well-connected to domestic as well as international cities. The Gaya Airport has regular flight connectivity from Yangon, Delhi, Kolkata and Varanasi. While you can opt for these domestic routes to reach Gaya, for travellers from Mumbai, Chennai and other metropolitan cities in the West and South, Delhi and Kolkata are the best choices. As for tourists from abroad, there are international routes from Thailand, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam and many more countries, that are directly connected to the Bodhgaya airport. Travellers often go to Gaya for Pind Daan and hence, book flights in advance. Not to mention, the international crowd often heads to the city to seek Enlightenment at the Buddhist monastery.

The city does not have luxury stays as such. However, there are some decent hotels in Gaya that you can book ahead of your visit. Another alternative for travellers opting flight is to book flight tickets to Patna and transit from there. Often this domestic route is considered as it is easier to reach Patna from different parts of the country.

By Rail

Many trains from metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Patna have regular trains passing through Bihar. You can book your tickets to Gaya and opt for the railway as an option. The connectivity within Gaya is also quite good as there are rickshaw and buses available. Taxi cabs and tuk-tuk rides are also prevalent, making the intercity travelling a tad bit easier. If you book your hotels in Gaya before travelling to the city, you will receive shuttle services from the accommodation.

By Road

The bus services to Gaya are aplenty from significant cities in Jharkhand Uttar Pradesh and more states. In fact, there are daily transport facilities from cities such as Patna, Hazaribag, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, etc. You can book AC or non-AC buses that will take you to the city. The travel service providers ensure to offer services to Gaya for its spiritual significance and demand.

  About Indore Airport

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport or popularly referred to as Indore Airport is the principal international airport that caters to the city of Indore in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is easily one of the busiest airports in Central India and is about 8 km away from the main city. Indore Airport is known to be the 21st busiest airport in the country, as of 2020. Initially called as plain Indore Airport, the decision to name it after Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar was introduced to glorify the Holkar Dynasty of the Maratha Empire that reigned the city. Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is known to accommodate about 2 million passengers annually. The airport has also been recognised by The World Book of Records with the World Standardization Certification for maintaining a spotless airport service quality. Much recently, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport started a 24*7 operation with flights taking off and landing in the night as well.

Indore Airport came into existence in 1935. However, civilian operations commenced in 1948 between Indore, Delhi, Gwalior and Mumbai. An approval to operate international flight activities was also commenced. With this, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport became the first airport in Madhya Pradesh to enable international flights and connectivity.

About Indore Airport Terminals

The airport has two terminals, one for domestic and the other for cargo operations. The domestic terminal has been developed to match international standards. All the facilities and services have been installed with modern structures. This includes escalators, high-tech baggage handling systems and various other amenities that can be availed. The terminal cargo is also perfectly maintained. The cargo's warehouses are huge, and the facilities are top-notch and better. The security to guard the cargo is also exemplary. The safety protocols have been maintained regularly. Indore Airport integrated its new terminal building and inaugurated the same in 2012. The new terminal was built by the Airports Authority of India at a whopping price of INR 1.35 billion. The airport is now capable of accommodating 700 passengers in an hour. Currently, the runway can cater to 96 flight movement daily. The international airport contains 16 check-in counters, 16 immigration booths and four customs counters. Indore Airport currently has about three aerobridges with one lift and a conveyor belt for luggage.

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport sprawls across 729 acres with the current terminal that is spread over 18,000 square metres. The airport has also reserved the south end of the runway to the MPFC Flying Club. The sole runway is about 2750 metres long and 45 metres wide.

About airport authority

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport was owned by the Holkar Dynasty when it first came into existence in 1935. However, the ownership and operations were handed over to the Airports Authority of India. AAI is a government statutory body that caters to the maintenance, upgradation and management of the civil aviation infrastructures that are being governed by them. Currently, the Airports Authority of India has a total of 126 airports under its wing. They have helped change the face of Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport as well. By introducing renewed technology and modern equipment, the airport's landscape has seen some significant changes. Plus, they have also built a renewed terminal building to accommodate domestic and international carriers. There are many flights flying from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport that connect to various major and small Indian cities. Under its expansion plans, the airport body is also planning to install an airport hotel within the current integrated terminal along with a convention centre. The land is also said to be expanded to accommodate more flights.

Facilities at Indore Airport

Lounge - Indore Airport has a designated lounge called Saptagiri. The lounge is a perfect place to unwind and wait for boarding. Saptagiri has a TV installed along with a restaurant. The passenger can avail the food at reasonable prices. Simultaneously, they can be entertained by the content played on TV. The seats and meals are quite comfortable, tasty and affordable.

Restaurants and food joints - Aside from the airport's lounge, you can further avail restaurant services within the food court as well. There are designated food courts with establishments and local joints available. You can relish some of the classic Nawabi food at the airport. They also have some cafes and quaint eateries at the airport. Some of the small stores also have food and beverages sold at reasonable prices.

Shopping - Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport also has small shops set in the premise. You can find the local handicrafts and other items that reflect the culture and traditions of Indore at these shops. They are perfect for souvenir shopping for your friends and family. The shops also sell magazines, newspapers and other such entertainment content that can keep you company while you wait for boarding.

Baggage - The airport has high-tech equipment with respect to baggage. They have strict security bag checks with top-class scanners. Plus, the airline also accommodates slew of baggage services that cater to some of the needs of the passenger. These include baggage wrapping services, porter services and more. Although a dedicated storage system hasn't been installed yet, the airport does have facilities for baggage reclaim.

Travel agents - At the airport's arrivals section, you will find travel agent booths. They will help you out with all travel-related concerns. Right from booking accommodation to planning travel itineraries, the travel agents will help you with your trip to the city. Not to mention, you can also book your transportation at the travel agent's desk. You can pre-book a vehicle to take you around during your time in the city.

Smoking zones - Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport has reserved special smoking lounges for travellers. They have prohibited smoking in public spaces. Hence, travellers would need to use the smoking lounge spaces. They are available at the departure and arrivals sections of the terminals.

ATMs - There are ATM kiosks present at the airport to help travellers withdraw money for their trip. In case you might have missed out on withdrawing money for the trip, the ATMs would be right there in the airport premise to help you with your cash woes.

Special assistance - For travellers who have mobility issues or need to be accompanied within the airport premise, there are provisions for the same. Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport has dedicated staff to cater to the special assistance and needs of the passengers. The airline must be intimated on the same beforehand to make things smoother for the passenger. You can submit a list of requirements to the airline, and the airport will take care of the rest.

Medical services - Airports must have reserved medical services. The same can be found at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport as well. They have dedicated staff to help with medical emergencies that might take place within the premise. They also have specific rooms and pharmacies to cater to the same.

Top airlines flying from Indore Airport

There are only flight services from two airlines operating from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. Air India and IndiGo are the two airlines that have flights flying to and from Indore airport. The connectivity of the airport to other cities is quite limited as it is not the primary airport of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Some of the top cities that are connected to Indore Airport include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Lucknow, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Allahabad.

How to reach Indore Airport

By Road

Although a dedicated bus stand right outside Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport has not been installed yet, it does have one nearby. About 13 km away from the airport, a bus stand has been set to help passengers reach various parts of the city. You can reach the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport by getting down at the bus stand and hailing a cab or a rickshaw. There are taxis available at all times at the bus stand. Many budget travellers often use this as an option. However, if you do not want to go through the bus crowd, you can directly hail cabs from the city to reach Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. It is recommended that you fix a price with the cab driver to ensure that you are not swindled. Travelling within the city is quite easy and affordable. Often travellers take a cab from the airport to the bus stand and from here, continue their journey to other parts of Indore. Buses are usually considered as ideal modes of transport in Indore as they are affordable and connect to several parts of the city.

By Rail

The railway station is located at a distance of approximately 11 km from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. Passengers who are trying to reach Indore Airport from other parts of the state can find taxi cabs at the railway station. Since the distance is not too much, travellers often consider this as the second most viable option. From the railway station, there are many taxi services to reach Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. The prices set by the cab drivers to reach Indore Airport are also quite reasonable considering the distance.