MAHESHWAR
Maheshwar
Overview of Maheshwar
Maheshwar is a centre for handloom weaving since the 5th century. With its best handloom industry in India, the city is producing exquisite cotton sarees, which are designed here and are famous as Maheshwari sarees not only in India but around the world.
Besides, the town also has historical and spiritual significance. The word 'Maheshwar' in Hindi means 'LordShiva' or 'Great God' and has a special significance to devotees of Lord Shiva.
Maheshwar is also known as the ancient city of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, as she shifted the capital of the Holkar dynasty from Indore to Maheshwar. As a great devotee of Lord Shiva, this is the place where she found all her strength, peace, and vision.
Maheshwar is of the ancients towns in India as it is mentioned as 'Mahishmati' in epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
From spiritual significance to its glorious history, from the finest Maheshwari sarees to beautiful temples, Maheshwar appeals to both, the pilgrim as well as the tourist in you.
Spiritual & Mythological Significance of Maheshwar
Maheshwar is a city with a history of 4000 years ago. In ancient times, Maheshwar was called 'Mahishmati'. it is believed that a King named Sahasrarjun had 500 wives, stopped River Narmada with his 1000 arms to make a play area for his wives. During this time, Ravana made Shivalinga on the riverside. When he released the river water, the Shivlinga was washed away and that ensued in the war between Ravana and Sahasrarjuna. In this war, King got the victory and kept ten lamps on the heads of Ravana and one on his hand. In Maheshwar, there is a temple called Sahasrarjun Temple where we can see 11 lamps to keep the event lively. Our epics Mahabharata and Ramayana mention Maheshwar. It was also a part of the Avanti kingdom that we know as Ujjain. Sages Rishi Jamadagni, Rishika Renuka Devi, and Bhagwan Sri Parshuram also lived at Maheshwar or its proximity.
Raj rajeshwar temple
AhilyaFort Maheshwar
For many of us, Maheshwar is a city of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar as she moved the capital of Holkars from Indore to Maheshwar on the banks of the holy river Narmada.
Before that, Maheshwar was under many rulers like Mauryas, Guptas and Harshvardhan before came down to Delhi Sultanate and Akbar.
In 18th CE Maheshwar came back to Marathas and when Devi Ahilyabai took over as Queen of the Holkar Dynasty, she transformed Maheshwar into a prosperous city. she built many temples in Maheshwar hence it is also known as the temple town which is a tourist attraction too.
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| Ahiyafort and Ahilyaghat |
Ahilya's fort sits on the 16th piece which was probably built by the Mughals. The palace is now a heritage hotel, meaning it is open to residents only. However, major areas are still open to the public. You will be amazed to see how many people visit this place to pay their respects, just as they do in the temple.
Maheshwari Sarees
Maheshwari sari is the oldest handloom, it is believed that the first Maheshwari sari was designed by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. These sarees are famous all over the world as Maheshwari saree is the biggest living legacy of Rani Ahilyabai.
Rewa Society, Maheshwar
Due to the arrival of factories, new and inexpensive clothes in the market, gradually the weaving tradition dropped! The restoration of Maheshwari saris is credited Richard Holkar and Sally Holkar, son and daughter-in-law of Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II. In 1979, they formed an organization which is non-profitable called Rehwa Society. This organisation employ women as well as preserve the biggest legacy of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar in the form of Maheshwari saree.