Major city · India
Hanuwantiya
Skip Hanuwantiya unless you want a weekend of water sports on Indira Sagar Lake: one night is enough, and the best time is during the Jal Mahotsav (Oct–Jan).
Hanuwantiya is a water-sports hub on the Indira Sagar Lake in Madhya Pradesh, 150 km from Indore. Its main draw is the month-long Jal Mahotsav (Oct–Jan) with air, land and water activities. Outside the festival, the lake is quiet and accommodation is limited to the MP Tourism complex. Most travellers use it as a weekend escape from Indore or a stop between Mandu and Omkareshwar.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Jan (Jal Mahotsav season)
- avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat, lake low)
- Airport
- IDR
- Nights
- 1
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 Hanuwantiya112 ▾
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 Hanuwantiya, 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
- SafetyHanuwantiya is safe for tourists.
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 Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore (80 km (50 mi); taxi or bus to Hanuwantiya, about 2 h).IDR Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore (50 mi (80 km); taxi or bus to Hanuwantiya, about 2 h).
- Getting aroundThe lakefront is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedTent (AC, during Jal Mahotsav), a night, per person₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- Mid-range bedAC cottage (MP Tourism), a night, per room₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedAC cottage (MP Tourism), a night, per room₹8,000 (≈ US$95)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹4,000 (≈ US$50) · High ₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
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 Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore (80 km (50 mi); taxi or bus to Hanuwantiya, about 2 h)IDR Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore (50 mi (80 km); taxi or bus to Hanuwantiya, about 2 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
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
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jul
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
not flagged
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–Jan. Avoid: Apr–Jun. 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
Hanuwantiya: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Apr
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
May
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
2 rd
Jun
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 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 lakefront is walkable. For water sports, walk to the activity zone. A taxi or auto-rickshaw from the complex to the lake edge is ₹100–200.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h
Taxi from Hanuwantiya, about 2 h
Afghan-style ruins and Jahaz Mahal; combine with Hanuwantiya for a 2-day loop.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi, about 1.5 h
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas; a half-day trip from Hanuwantiya.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus or taxi, about 2 h
Sarafa night market, palaces and the main airport.
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.
Hanuwantiya Tourist Complex
AC cottages and houseboats run by MP Tourism; book ahead during Jal Mahotsav.
Tent City
AC tents set up only during Jal Mahotsav (Oct–Jan); check availability.
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) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,000–5,000 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| AC cottage (MP Tourism)1 × 1 night × ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹4,000 | ₹8,000 |
| Taxi from Indore airport, one way1 × ₹2,500 · check | ₹2,500 |
| Water sports package (3–4 activities)2 × ₹1,500 · check | ₹3,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹500 | ₹1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,950 |
| Trip total≈ ₹10,730 per person per day, bed included | ₹21,450≈ US$250 |
check
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bottle of water (1 L) | ₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Simple meal (thali or rice-dal) | ₹150–300 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Water sports (single activity, e.g. jet-ski)check | ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) |
| Taxi Hanuwantiya → Indore | ₹2,000–3,000 (≈ US$25–35) |
| Bus Hanuwantiya → Indore | ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Jal Mahotsav dates vary each year: check the MP Tourism website before booking.
- No ATM or bank in Hanuwantiya; carry enough cash from Indore or Khandwa.
- Water sports may be suspended if the lake level is low (summer months).
- Last bus from Indore departs around 18:00; plan your return.Last bus from Indore departs around 6:00 PM; plan your return.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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HanuwantiyaHanuwantiya
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
इस पते पर चलिएTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Indore airport → Hanuwantiya, taxi: about ₹2,500 (≈ US$30), about 2 h (check)
- Hanuwantiya → Khandwa Junction, taxi: about ₹1,500 (≈ US$18), about 1 h (check)
Say or show
- कितना है? — How much? (kitna hai)
- झील कहाँ है? — Where is the lake? (jheel kahan hai)
- मुझे टैक्सी चाहिए — I need a taxi (mujhe taxi chahiye)
- जल क्रीड़ा — Water sports (jal krida)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
Hindi is widely understood; English at the tourist complex.
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 Hanuwantiya. 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–Jan (Jal Mahotsav season) · avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat, lake low) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 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 Hanuwantiya
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