Madhya Pradesh (Omkareshwar-Mandu)

Hello, let me bow down to all of u first as this is my first post. This forum rocks!
I have a few questions about Madhya Pradesh in general and Omkareshwar and Mandu in specific.
1) Are the roads as bad as they say?
2) Is it true they are malaria hotspots?
3) Is there lotsa people there now?
Any help would be much appreciated.

In December 2002, the road between Mandu and Omkareshwar was atrocious... not much money spent on roading in the state apparently... it seemed to be more potholes than actual road.

And there are no trains there, right?

There are trains in MP but not between Mandu and Omkareshwar.

Hey Palak,
Can't speak for Omkareshwar, but the road from Indore to Mandu is terrible. At least it used to be like that in 1999. The way things go in India, I wouldn't be surprised if it was still so. But Mandu will make you forget it all - a most beautiful, almost modern piece of islamic architecture that is built out of pure clean lines and now boasts the most graphic silouettes through fallen roofs.

Malaria is worse in summer. Easier to control the flow of mosquitoes in winter.

Mandu is so big that you'd hardly notice a lot of people. Besides, India would be spooky and unwelcome without lots of people.

1) Are the roads as bad as they say?

To get there? I got there by train, and took a crowded 2 hour buss for the rest of the trip, no problems there... (some three years ago this is..)

2) Is it true they are malaria hotspots?

I was there for a week, its a pretty kewl place, different for sure, some describe it like litle varanasi (i think it looks a bit like that)... Didnt get malaria during that time.... But it Could be. I´ve seen a feaw sick/dead animals on some of the village streets there, not that that necesarly has anything to do with it, but Yeah I heard people mentioning it, someone knowing someone who got it i belive... Than again this is three years ago I was there, and I got the feeling they were cleaning up the place by the minute, so I would think not to worry, check the new LP before you go, se what they say....

3) Is there lotsa people there now?

There was a solid small traveler scene going there 4 sure...
Lets say there is a feaw places taking up and trying to make a pizza or something like that. Dont get me wrong, its not goa or anything... Its VERRY MUCH real india, but you CAN find chaishops that will have like five to ten westerns hanging there... but there is allmost no tourist shop and such... Just a good atmosphere...

Its one of the most Untouristy places I ever been to (Im quite mainstream though).
No Internet (only place in INdia ive seen without this darn cafés)!
Really cheap room! I stayed in some hotel for pilgrims or something, and payed like 35 rs or such for a clean room with a matras on the floor (only candle light, but with lady making free hot water for shower).

There is LOADS of monkeys there!!! LOADS... Sometimes you will be in a area where its only you and like hundreds of them on the street infront... I actually would turn then and go the other way around, but they are nice chaps anyhow....

JUst feel free to ask me for more info!!

Last winter I did meet one guy that got malaria in Omkareshwar. I also talked to the local "doc" and he told me that there was lots of malaria(falsiparium) there.

Thanx for your replies, guys.
(Ikuru I saw your "smell of pepper spray in the morning" post, it made me laugh.)

Jackson Palak

Do you want a list of trains that run on the following route?

Khandwa Jn (on the main Mumbai - Calcutta route)
Omkareshwar Rd (about 12 kms from Omkareshwar)
Mhow (closest station to Mandu - about 50 kms)
Indore
Ujjain
Ratlam Jn (on the main Mumbai - Delhi route)
Chittaurgarh
Ajmer
Jaipur

All the above stations are connected by a metre gauge line.

Thanks for that info steven that is going to come in very handy later this year!
And whats all this talk of terrible roads in Madhya Pradesh?? Uma Bharti was supposed to have that fixed within 100 days of taking office.
Wait till I see her again!!!

Steven Ber many thanx for info. Although I've been on IM for just 2 days I keep seeing ur name everywhere. Also, I like ur avatar. Did u have those teeth fixed in India too? like other people on that dentist thread? Nice! Ronaldo's got nothing on u, mate.