Major city · India
Mardana
Skip Mardana unless you have a specific interest in Guru Nanak history or Narmada river boat trips: half a day is enough, and you need your own transport from Sanawad or Indore.
Mardana is a small Narmada-side village in Madhya Pradesh's Malwa region, named after Bhai Mardana, a companion of Guru Nanak. It has a ruined fort, a cave shrine and a ghat built by Queen Ahilyabai. The village is quiet and undeveloped for tourism — you can see everything in a few hours. Most travellers use it as a short stop between Indore and the Narmada river sites, not a destination.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Sep (heavy monsoon, river may be high)
- Airport
- Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore (IDR)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mardana112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mardana, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyMardana is very safe; the main risks are heat, snakes near the riverbank and the lack of services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIDR Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore (120 km (75 mi); taxi or bus to Sanawad then local transport).IDR Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore (75 mi (120 km); taxi or bus to Sanawad then local transport).
- Getting aroundThe village is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealChai at village stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Sanawad–Mardana one waycheck₹600–900 (≈ US$7–11)
- Budget bedBasic hotel in Sanawad (double room), a night, per room₹800 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel in Sanawad (double room), a night, per room₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
- High-end bedBasic hotel in Sanawad (double room), a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IDR Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore (120 km (75 mi); taxi or bus to Sanawad then local transport)IDR Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore (75 mi (120 km); taxi or bus to Sanawad then local transport)
Map of Mardana
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Mardana
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Maheshwar · 24 km straight line
- Omkareshwar · 35 km straight line
- Dr. Ambedkar Nagar · 42 km straight line
- Mandu · 45 km straight line
- Indore · 60 km straight line
- Hanuwantiya · 79 km straight line
- Khargone · 90 km straight line
- Dewas · 91 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Apr
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
May
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mardana: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Mar
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Apr
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
May
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
2 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is small enough to walk. For the fort ruins and ghat, follow the riverside path. A boat can be hired locally for Narmada trips — ask at the village or arrange in Sanawad.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h
Taxi from Mardana via Sanawad, about 1.5 h
Afghan-style ruins and Jahaz Mahal; combine with Mardana for a full day.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Taxi or bus to Sanawad, then bus to Omkareshwar, about 2 h
One of India's 12 Jyotirlinga temples on the Narmada.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Taxi, about 2 h
City with palaces, street food and the famous Sarafa night market.
Door to door: About 3 h
Taxi to Sanawad station, train to Ujjain, about 2.5 h total
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and Kumbh Mela city.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Sanawad
Nearest town with hotels, 40 km (25 mi) away. Basic budget options.Nearest town with hotels, 25 mi (40 km) away. Basic budget options.
Indore
120 km (75 mi); full range of accommodation, best for a base if you also visit Mandu, Ujjain or Omkareshwar.75 mi (120 km); full range of accommodation, best for a base if you also visit Mandu, Ujjain or Omkareshwar.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) (day trip from Sanawad)
- Mid
- ₹3,000–5,000 (≈ US$35–60) (including taxi from Indore)
Trip budget
| Basic hotel in Sanawad (double room)1 × 1 night × ₹1,200 | ₹1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Taxi Indore–Mardana return1 × ₹3,000 · check | ₹3,000 |
| Boat trip on Narmada (per person)2 × ₹500 · check | ₹1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,120 |
| Trip total≈ ₹6,160 per person per day, bed included | ₹12,320≈ US$140 |
2026 estimate in rupees; day trip from Sanawad or Indore. No accommodation in Mardana.
Prices of common things
| Chai at village stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Simple meal (dal chawal) in Sanawad | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Boat trip on Narmada (per person, 30 min)check | ₹300–500 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Taxi Sanawad–Mardana one waycheck | ₹600–900 (≈ US$7–11) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs or petrol pumps in Mardana; fill up in Sanawad or Indore.
- River levels rise during monsoon (Jul–Sep); boat trips may not operate.
- The fort ruins are not maintained; wear sturdy shoes and watch for loose stones.
- No restaurants or hotels in the village — carry water and snacks.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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MardanaMardana
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
इस पते पर, कृपयाTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
Nearest consulates are in Mumbai or Delhi; check /india/visa-requirements for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Indore → Sanawad (bus): about ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3), 2 h (check)
- Sanawad → Mardana (auto-rickshaw): ₹400–600 (≈ US$5–7), 40 min (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितना है? — How much? (kitna hai)
- नाव कहाँ है? — Where is the boat? (naav kahan hai)
- मुझे पानी चाहिए — I need water (mujhe paani chahiye)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mardana. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Sep (heavy monsoon, river may be high) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mardana
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