The short answer
Chondi, Birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar: what visitors should know first
Visit if you admire Ahilyabai Holkar or want a quiet heritage stop on the Ahilyanagar to Beed highway. Redevelopment is under way, so check what is open and whether work is ongoing before you travel.
History and context
The story behind Chondi, Birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar
Chondi, also spelled Chaundi, is recorded as the birthplace of Ahilyadevi Holkar; one timeline gives her birth as 31 May 1725, although sources give dates differently. The village lies in Jamkhed taluka and had a population of about 2,700 in the 2011 census.
In May 2025 the state planning department approved a development plan for the memorial site, and the 301st birth anniversary was marked there in May 2026.
Useful facts
Chondi, Birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar facts at a glance
- Location
- Chondi, Jamkhed taluka, Ahilyanagar district
- Experience type
- Memorial village
- Known for
- Birthplace of Ahilyadevi Holkar
- Status
- Being developed as a national memorial
- Distance
- About 78 km from Ahilyanagar by the state highway
Why it matters
Why Chondi, Birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar is worth your time
Ahilyadevi Holkar is one of the best-remembered rulers of 18th-century India. Born in Chondi in the Deccan, she became the queen of the Holkar state of Indore, where she was known for administration, justice and for rebuilding temples and ghats across the subcontinent.
The Government of Maharashtra has decided to develop Chondi as a national memorial. In 2025 the Planning Department approved a large development plan for the preservation and conservation of the memorial site, so the place is changing. It is worth visiting for the sense of a distinct figure from a small village.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The memorial
The site honouring Ahilyadevi Holkar, with development under way.
- 02
A birthplace village
A small Deccan village that connects to a ruler who shaped India's temple landscape.
- 03
Highway access
An easy stop on the Ahilyanagar to Beed road.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Chondi is a small village, and the experience is mostly about place and memory rather than architecture. The memorial to Ahilyadevi Holkar stands in the village, and the state has approved a large conservation and development plan for the site, so what you see will depend on the stage of work. Go in the morning, speak with local residents and ask where the key places connected to her family are.
Bring some background reading: Ahilyabai was born here and later ruled Indore for almost three decades, rebuilding temples and ghats across India, including at Varanasi and Somnath. Seeing the birthplace gives context to those works and to the Holkar family's origins in the Deccan.
Pair Chondi with Kharda Fort, which lies in the same taluka, and keep the day short, since the village has few services. Carry water and plan lunch in Jamkhed.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Check the current status of the memorial before travelling
- Carry water; services in the village are limited
- Ask locals for the key places linked to the family
- Avoid the hottest part of the day
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Chondi village, Jamkhed taluka, on the Ahilyanagar to Beed state highway, about 78 km from Ahilyanagar
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time
- October to February; around her birth anniversary in late May the site draws visitors
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The village is level and mostly accessible by road, but facilities such as toilets and shade at the memorial may be basic while redevelopment continues.
- Tickets and access
- No fee is published. The memorial is being developed by the Maharashtra government, so timings and access may change; confirm with the district administration or local contacts.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Chondi, Birthplace of Ahilyabai Holkar
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The village is level and mostly accessible by road, but facilities such as toilets and shade at the memorial may be basic while redevelopment continues.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Why is Chondi famous?
It is the birthplace of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar, the Maratha queen of Indore.
Is the memorial open?
It is being developed by the state, so access may change. Confirm locally before you go.
How far is Chondi from Ahilyanagar?
About 78 km by the Ahilyanagar to Beed state highway.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
