Krishnapura Chhatris of Indore, MP - needs good restoration work!!

Krishnapura Chhatris, Indore city, MP. wanderndiscover.wordpress.com

Krishnapura chhatris, Indore, MP, Just dial.com

Top image: Lord Srisha is playing flute at Krishnapura Chhatris complex, Indore city, India..............

The roughly 300 years old historic Krishnapura Chhatris of Indore just half a kilo meter from the city palace of the Holker family -Rajwade is a popular tourist spot and here lies the mortal remains of many rulers of the Holker dynasty. The complex built in the middle of 19th century has well ornamented cenotaphs and chhatris supported by ornate columns with fine decorations on the exterior as well as on the interior.

In the last several years, the Krishnapura Chhatris complex is not well maintained and the up keep is poor. Nor is it well guarded by some security people. Having withstood the ravages of time this far, this site a few years ago had to face the raid of hobos, junkies and useless characters, creating an insecure atmosphere, in particular, for women. Way back in August 2016, the Hindustan News paper carried an article about the poor condition of this historic site. The tourists and others were afraid to visit this place because it turned out to be a hangout for the drunks and indecent people including anti-social elements.

What is so pailful is the local city administration is turning a blind eye to the plight of this old site that is being misused by unauthorized people. No guards are posted there, the place is not properly barricaded either. The Krishnapura Chhatris complex, named after Maharajah Yashwant Rao Holkar I’s wife Kesarbai Holkar (also known as Rajmata Krishnabai), houses five cenotaphs. They were funerary memorials built on the banks of the Chandra Bhaga and Khan rivers. What is so impressive is their architectural features - 01. a blend of Hindu and Mogul style of design patronized by the rulers of the Marathas, Rajputs and Mughals, 02. nicely carved statues of warriors, etc, 03. beautiful carvings of gods and goddesses on the outer and inner walls

Interior, Krishnapura Chhatris, Indore, MP.indorehd.com

Krishnapura Chhatris, Indore city, MP.indorehd.com

The article mentioned about the complaint by a resident woman, “The chhatris have dropped out of the list of attractions in Indore because of drunkards and drug users,....my father used to bring me here all the time when I was a child, but they don’t seem safe anymore. The stares we get are discouraging enough.”

Close to the place there are heaps of filth and the rodents used to raid them salvaging for food. Inside the complex visitors could see rats scurrying around the cenotaphs and chhatris. The visitors can not enjoy the beauty of the chhatries, etc by standing in a place ridden with lots rats crisscrossing the site.

Way back in 2016 it self the residents were quite disappointed with the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) and the Indore Gaurav Foundation (IFG), who promised to to beautify the place in 2015 itself. They put up faulty light posts whic faltered a month later. Nothing solid has been done so far. As of 2018 the heritage lovers of this city were making persistent efforts to clean up the Krishnapura Chatris complex. and free it from the grip of junkies and drug-addicts. In 2018, the State Tourism Department had a proposal to repair and restore the chhatris and include this site in the walking tour of the historic sites of Indore city. The officials at the municipal corporation say, the main road block is paucity of fund. A large chunk of money goes to the civil works, etc. Soon, it is believed, security guards would be deployed there to avoid trespassing of anti-social characters, etc. Photo credit: indorehd.com/krishnapura-chhattris-a-monument-portraying-courage/
https://www.hindustantimes.com/indore/indore-s-historic-krishnapura-chhatris-fall-prey-to-junkies-rodents/story-I2SkrROUqLoZPdBfwb1OqO.html