[lejhoom]

Hi friends,

My wife and I decided to take a journey to Omkareshwar and Ujjain, both Jyotirlingas near Indore. We thought of taking a train. However, from Hyderabad one has to travel to Bhopal and thence to either of these places. That will be an additional travel by road of not less than 400 km, almost half of the distance between Hyderabad and Indore. So, we decided to drive.

The journey being a spur of the moment decision, we couldn't collect enough information. We would like to leave Hyderabad anytime after 5 in the evening of 8 October. Our main aim is to have darshan at both these places on Monday (11 October).

I earnestly look forward to your valuable inputs regarding the route, road conditions, accommodation at both places (budget will be fine), and other pitfalls one has to wary of. Being strict vegetarians, any lowdown on the eateries en route will be highly appreciated.

Considering fuel economy and the number of persons traveling, plan to take Palio MJD. The other option is to take the Scoropio. Indeed, I am used to long drives and, if roads permit, would like to drive non-stop.

Thank you.

[hvkumar]

I think the best route would be to take the NH7 route till Pandharkawada and then going via Yeotmal and Karanja to Murtijapur and then from Bhusaval to Indore via Burhanpur and Khandwa.
That means:
Hyderabad-Nirmal-Adilabad-Pandharkawada-Yeotmal-Karanja-Murtijapur-Akola-Khamgaon-Malkapur-Bhusaval-Burhanpur-Khandwa-Indore.

NH7 is bad in the AP-MH border after Adilabad.
NO idea about current conditions in Oandharkawada-Karanja route.
But NH6 between Murtijapur and Bhusaval is apparently good.
Facilities are terrible on this route.
YOu may not be able to do it the same day unless you are superfast.
If that is the case, then ideally, take a detour to Jalgaon and stay there for the night since facilities after that are worse.
Take the Scorpio

[lejhoom]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

I think the best route would be to take the NH7 route till Pandharkawada and then going via Yeotmal and Karanja to Murtijapur and then from Bhusaval to Indore via Burhanpur and Khandwa.

Thank you very much HVKumar sir, for you prompt reply. A few doubts: Google map gives the following route when queried about Hyderabad to Indore--After Yavatmal it shows all the way up to Amaravati, Achalpur, Paratwada, Dharni, and Borgaon, where presumably the Burhanpur road suggested by you joins. Do you think the route suggested by Google is not to be taken?

Secondly, per your suggestion one has to go to Bhusawal. However, the map suggests a right turn after Malkapur and Chikhli leading to Burhanpur via Shahpur. What do you suggest?

Any suggestions for hotels in Jalgaon?

Thank you once again for your time.

[hvkumar]

The GM route goes through Melghat WLS and the route is not advisable.
Yes, I think there is a route from Malkapur also, but the best route to Burhanpur is via Bhusaval.

[naren_gs1]

Hi,
Hyderabad-Nizamabad-Nanded-Aundha-Washim-Balapur-Khamgaon-Malkapur-Ichapur-Burhanpur-Onkareshwar is the shortest route and roads are normally good through this stretch. Hyderabad-Nanded has always been good. Balapur-Khamgaon-Malkapur is NH-6. And onwards road to Ichapur-Burhanpur-Omkareshwar also have alsways been good. However, I am not aware about current condition of Nanded-Balapur stretch (200 kms) - but again it has been good SH always.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

The GM route goes through Melghat WLS and the route is not advisable.
Yes, I think there is a route from Malkapur also, but the best route to Burhanpur is via Bhusaval.

HVK Sir,
From Malkapur, we don't have to go all the way to Bhusawal or even Edlabad. There is a right turn from NH-6 which takes you directly to the Edlabad-Burhanpur road before the last toll on the MH side. This is before the Ichapur (Border) town.

Regards

[rkg]

Originally Posted by naren_gs1

Hi,
Hyderabad-Nizamabad-Nanded-Aundha-Washim-Balapur-Khamgaon-Malkapur-Ichapur-Burhanpur-Onkareshwar is the shortest route and roads are normally good through this stretch. Hyderabad-Nanded has always been good. Balapur-Khamgaon-Malkapur is NH-6. And onwards road to Ichapur-Burhanpur-Omkareshwar also have alsways been good. However, I am not aware about current condition of Nanded-Balapur stretch (200 kms) - but again it has been good SH always.

Regards

What about the facilities in this route like food joints rest rooms etc

google maps suggests Bhokar, wakad, ardhapur, kalamuri, hingoli washim.

Is this better or via Aundha is better
can it be doable is 11 hours?

Iam planning this in Dec last week

[lejhoom]

Thank you Naren.

MapmyIndia suggests this route: Hyderabad-Nirmal-Bhainsa-Hingoli-Washim-Patur-Malkapur-Burhanpur-Khandwa-Omkareshwar. Distance 797.5 km. What do you think of this Naren?

Guys, I want to visit both Omkareshwar and Ujjain. These two places lie on south and north of Indore. Looks like Omkareshwar has more natural beauty and I may be inclined to spend a day there. I was wondering if I could drive to Indore directly, starting from Hyderabad early in the morning. Halting at Indore solves the headache of searching a place for the night. Visit Ujjain early in the morning and come back to Omkareshwar. From Omkareshwar I can drive down to Hyderabad. Even if I reach Andhra boarder in the night, I feel secure and will be able to drive home.

I saw someone doing Hyderabad-Dhule-Indore in another thread. What about Hyderabad-Nagpur-Indore? There is an increment of approximately 150 km more if I take the highway. But then it offsets the anxiety and drivability if I were to take the Burhanpur, Khandwa route. What I observed in the state roads is that you may travel a bit less distance but sacrifice a lot of time. What is your opinion?

I plan to start on Sunday morning. Any other suggestion will be highly appreciated.

Regards.

[rkg]

Originally Posted by rkg

What about the facilities in this route like food joints rest rooms etc

google maps suggests Bhokar, wakad, ardhapur, kalamuri, hingoli washim.

Is this better or via Aundha is better
can it be doable is 11 hours?

Iam planning this in Dec last week

Instead of Nirmal go via Nizamabad, basara and bhainsa. the distance will be less. the road upto basara is good. ( if you are planning this route)

Anyway please update road condition as iam planning a trip in Dec in this route.

[mercedised]

The most safest of the routes to Indore is via Nagpur is the best flowing(traffic) highway route. The Aidlabad section is mostly done by tourists buses and at nights and is considered tobe as unsafe for travelling at nights. If you final upon the Aidlabad-Khandwa route is not considered tobe as a flowing highway, then make sure you do it at daytime before 7:00 PM you reach Khandwa, after that no problems.

P.S: I am from Indore, if you look forward for my favour then I will be happy to help you for just about anything that I could do.

Thanks.

[lejhoom]

Originally Posted by mercedised

P.S: I am from Indore, if you look forward for my favour then I will be happy to help you for just about anything that I could do.
Thanks.

Thank you so much for your invitation. Would love to know more about the route around Indore as well as the facilities for accommodation. Will PM you later.

Can anyone suggest how to by-pass Nagpur while switching from NH7 to NH 69 en route Indore? I guess NH69 changes to NH 59A after Betul.

[mercedised]

Originally Posted by lejhoom

Thank you so much for your invitation. Would love to know more about the route around Indore as well as the facilities for accommodation. Will PM you later.

Can anyone suggest how to by-pass Nagpur while switching from NH7 to NH 69 en route Indore? I guess NH69 changes to NH 59A after Betul.

Beware of the MP portion of the Nagpur-Betul-Bhopal-Indore route. The road from Betul-Bhopal is bound to have some bad patches and odd potholes adding to that the road is mostly Ghats. So, Try to cross Itarsi till 9:00 or 10:00 at night. The road from Bhopal to Indore is a nice 4-lane.

Accomodation is no problems hotels range from 500 Rs to as much as you can pay.

[naren_gs1]

Originally Posted by rkg

What about the facilities in this route like food joints rest rooms etc

google maps suggests Bhokar, wakad, ardhapur, kalamuri, hingoli washim.

Is this better or via Aundha is better
can it be doable is 11 hours?

Iam planning this in Dec last week

Originally Posted by lejhoom

Thank you Naren.

MapmyIndia suggests this route: Hyderabad-Nirmal-Bhainsa-Hingoli-Washim-Patur-Malkapur-Burhanpur-Khandwa-Omkareshwar. Distance 797.5 km. What do you think of this Naren?

Guys, I want to visit both Omkareshwar and Ujjain. These two places lie on south and north of Indore. Looks like Omkareshwar has more natural beauty and I may be inclined to spend a day there. I was wondering if I could drive to Indore directly, starting from Hyderabad early in the morning. Halting at Indore solves the headache of searching a place for the night. Visit Ujjain early in the morning and come back to Omkareshwar. From Omkareshwar I can drive down to Hyderabad. Even if I reach Andhra boarder in the night, I feel secure and will be able to drive home.

I saw someone doing Hyderabad-Dhule-Indore in another thread. What about Hyderabad-Nagpur-Indore? There is an increment of approximately 150 km more if I take the highway. But then it offsets the anxiety and drivability if I were to take the Burhanpur, Khandwa route. What I observed in the state roads is that you may travel a bit less distance but sacrifice a lot of time. What is your opinion?

I plan to start on Sunday morning. Any other suggestion will be highly appreciated.

Regards.

Facilities between Nizamabad and Balapur may not be many. However, Nanded & Washim are district places. So you should be able to find good places.
All the Akola-Hyderabad govt and private buses go via Patur-Washim-Nanded-Nizamabad. None goes via Bhokar or Nirmal.
Total distance for HYD-Indore would be around 825 kms. Onkareshwar would be around 775 kms. Definitely NOT doable in 11 hours

[lejhoom]

Originally Posted by mercedised

Beware of the MP portion of the Nagpur-Betul-Bhopal-Indore route. The road from Betul-Bhopal is bound to have some bad patches and odd potholes adding to that the road is mostly Ghats. So, Try to cross Itarsi till 9:00 or 10:00 at night. The road from Bhopal to Indore is a nice 4-lane.

MapmyIndia shows the route from Nagpur to Indore via Betul-Timarni-Kannod-Karnawad. What is the necessity of going to Bhopal at all? Or the route via Timarni etc. is not drivable? What is your opinion?

Rgrds

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by lejhoom

MapmyIndia shows the route from Nagpur to Indore via Betul-Timarni-Kannod-Karnawad. What is the necessity of going to Bhopal at all? Or the route via Timarni etc. is not drivable? What is your opinion?

Rgrds

Definitely there is the route you mention, but roads are non-existent in those parts.

[lejhoom]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Definitely there is the route you mention, but roads are non-existent in those parts.

My, my. Sorry for this pestering. You mean to say I should go via Bhopal since the road from Nagpur to Indore via Betul is 'non-existent'?

I have only a few more hours left to finalize the route. Any help will be highly appreciated.