7 Famous Temples In Indore- Religious Sites & Spiritual Places

From signature cuisine to architectural heritage, the regal city of Indore is a treasure trove of magical experiences for visitors. Built by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar in the 18th century, the city is also home to several temples, many of which are revered as important places of worship by devotees. The legends associated with the shrines along with their artistic structure only add to their allure.

Let's take a look at some of the most iconic temples in Indore.

Annapurna Temple

Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Annapurna, this is a well-known temple in Indore. The holy shrine attracts millions of devotees every year who pray to the deity of food along with Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman and Lord Kalbhairava, who also have temples dedicated to them within the premises. Don't miss the four full-sized elephant statues adorning the gates of the temple and the beautiful images of legendary characters on the walls. A new temple, known as Annapurna Lok, was recently constructed close to the main shrine, without using any iron! It was inaugurated earlier this year by Swami Avdheshanand Giri.

Pitra Parvat

What makes the Hanuman temple at Pitra Parvat unique is the idol of the Hindu deity. Here, Lord Hanuman in bright golden colour is seen seated in a meditative state, unlike the usual standing posture. This rare site is what attracts devotees from all over the country. The idol is 71ft long and weighs 108 tonnes, which took more than 100 workers and seven years to complete. A sacred temple stands right below the grand statue, where a small idol of the deity is seen sitting in the lap of his mother, Anjani. Situated at the mountaintop and surrounded by greenery, the temple offers a magnificent view of the city.

Bada Ganpati Temple

This temple is famous for its 25-ft-long idol of Lord Ganesha, made with bricks and limestones, making it one of the tallest Ganesha statues in the world. Not just that, it is believed to have been made with other unique materials such as jaggery and soil gathered from seven pilgrim sites including Ayodhya, Mathura, Benaras, Avantika and Dwarka, water from holy rivers of India, and also the powder of five gems, namely diamond, pearl, ruby and topaz. The temple is said to have been made by a local in Ujjain.

Khajrana Ganesh Temple

A notable religious site for Hindus, the Khajrana Ganesh Temple was built by Maratha queen Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. When you enter the temple, you will be amazed to see beautiful engravings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. Devotees believe that once they offer their prayers at this temple, their wishes will be fulfilled. One of the biggest festivals celebrated in this temple is Vinayak Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi, which usually falls between August and September.

Harsiddhi Temple

Deemed one of the oldest in Indore, Harsiddhi temple was built in the 18th century. In the temple, the idol of Goddess Harsiddhi faces towards the east; she carries a sword and trishul (trident) in the right arm and a bell and a head in the left. There are also some other temples on the premises dedicated to Lord Shankar and Lord Hanuman. Many devotees flock to the temple especially during Navratri.

Digambar Jain Kanch Mandir

This beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism and is the hub of many Jain processions and festivals held in Indore. The name of the temple literally means a "temple of glass." Built by Sir Seth Hukumchand in the 20th century, the temple, as the name suggests, has gorgeous multicoloured glasswork and mirrors all over its walls, ceilings, pillars, and domes. The interiors are entirely made of glass, which is said to have been imported from Belgium, with some traces of gold as well. No cement has been used to build the temple. The structure of the building is made with white stone while the windows and archway feature intricate carvings. What's interesting to watch is how the Tirthankara idols reflect in the mirror and multiply infinitely. On the occasion of Sugandh Dashami, observed by Digambar Jains, you will see colourful mandalas made of rice powder. A golden palki is also taken out on Rath Yatra every year.

Gomatgiri

This is another destination that is sacred to Jain devotees. When you visit this small hillock near Indore, you will be amazed to see a 21 ft statue of Gomateshwar, which is a close replica of the statue of Bahubali in Shravanabelagola. The region has a cluster of 24 marble temples dedicated to each of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras. The temple is barely a 10-minute drive from the Indore airport.

The best time to visit Indore is between October and March to explore the city in pleasant weather. And when you are in the city, make sure to visit the Central Museum to see historic artefacts, beautiful gardens, and Sarafa bazaar for delicious food. Indore is well-connected to all the major Indian cities by air and rail transport.