Malwa Plateau · Central Highlands & Forest Belt
How to reach
By air
- Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport, Indore (IDR) — The plateau's gateway, about 8 km from the centre, with the state's heaviest traffic.
- Ujjain — No commercial airport of its own; Indore is 55 km away and is what everyone uses, including for the Simhastha.
By rail
- Indore Junction (INDB) — The main terminus, on the Western Railway network, with direct services to Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad.
- Ujjain Junction (UJN) — On the Delhi–Mumbai route via Ratlam, and the arrival point for most Mahakaleshwar pilgrims.
- Ratlam Junction (RTM) — A divisional headquarters and the plateau's most important railway town.
- Dewas (DWX)
- Mandsaur (MDS) — For the northern fringe and the Gandhi Sagar approach.
By road
NH 52 — the north–south spine through Ratlam, Ujjain and IndoreNH 47 — Indore towards Ahmedabad in one direction and Nagpur in the otherDelhi–Mumbai Expressway, which crosses the plateau's northern fringe near Mandsaur and RatlamIndore–Ujjain four-lane, 55 km, and the busiest religious corridor in the stateThe Vindhya scarp descents to Nimar — Indore to Khalghat and Mhow to Mandleshwar
Getting around
Buses, autos and app cabs; Indore's city bus network is unusually functional by the standards of Indian cities its size, and a metro line is under construction. Ujjain is 55 km from Indore with a service every few minutes. Mandu needs a car — the last 35 km from Dhar climbs the scarp and public transport is thin.
How to reach Malwa Plateau by air, rail, road and water, and how to get around once there. (7)