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Indore is a stunningly beautiful city if you think of it and there are a number of things here that will leave you awestruck and amazed. It was once a major center of commerce and a very important connecting city between the north and the Deccan of India. However, what most people do not know about it is that it is also an important religious center and there are plenty of temples here that have a deep religious significance. These temples are the centers of celebrating all the major important festivals in the city and are also great specimens of architectural brilliance. The temples have a very holy ambience and a tour of the city will help you connect with your spiritual side as well as well as give you an idea about the cultural and traditional beliefs of the people. Here are some of the most important temples of Indore which you must definitely visit.
Located in Sudama Nagar, the Annapurna Temple is extremely popular and is dedicated to the Goddess of Food and Abundance. This is, in a way, the principal temple of the city and beside the main shrine, there is also temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman and Kal Bhairav and naturally, devotees come from all parts of the city to pray to all of them. One of the most striking features of the temple is that it is said to resemble the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai. The temple has numerous intricate carvings and paintings adorn its massive walls. The carvings are extremely pictorial and they depict scenes from the holy texts and the epics. One of the most splendid aspects of the temple is its heavily ornamented massive gate that has four mammoth statues by it or huge elephants that seem to guarding the gate and look very lifelike. Hence, even if you are not religious, you must visit this architectural marvel just to gaze at the splendid architecture.
The Bada Ganpati Temple is yet another stunning temple in the heart of the city. Built in 1875 by Sri Dadhich, this temple has become synonymous with the city and is a symbol of sorts. The Ganpati temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesh- who is the God of Prosperity and Happiness, attracts devotees from even the suburbs and the neighboring cities and on occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi, the temple is filled to the brim and there is not a single foothold to stand on. The reason why this temple is so famous is that the idol of Lord Ganesh inside the temple happens to be the largest in the world, with the lord measuring 25 feet from foot to crown. The idol is orange in color and it is a rare aspect. The idol itself is made from a number of substances to underline the all encompassing nature of the gods and they include bricks, limestone, pancharatna powder, jaggery, holy water from prominent pilgrimage centers of India and the soil of seven moksha puri. Your trip to Indore would be incomplete without a trip to this temple, which is located in the Malharganj area of the city.
Another temple in Indore dedicated to Lord Ganesh, the Shree Khajrana Ganesh temple is located in the Khajrana area of the city. It happens to be one of the most visited temples of Indore and records high footfalls every day. One of the reasons is that the devotees who come here believe that all their prayers would be answered if they offer their wishes to the god. The people of the city have immense faith in the deity here. It is said that the idol of the temple here was from another smaller temple in the vicinity and that it was hidden in a well nearby to protect it from the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The same idol was then retrieved in 1735 and a temple was built for it by Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar. Later, other additions were made to the temple by other rulers to give it its present shape. The eyes of the deity now are set in diamonds and the main outer gate, as well as the outer and the upper walls of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, are made out of silver. It is quite an experience to visit this temple for such marvels.
The temple of Bijasan Tekri, is situated a little towards the outskirts of the city, near the Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport Area. It is a relatively small temple but nevertheless has its own followers who come here regularly. The temple is dedicated to Bijasan Mata, who is considered to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. It is believed that praying here has immense powers and if the deity wants, she can also bring back the eyesight of the blind. The temple itself was built sometime around 1920 and it stands on top of an 800 foot hill, which is known as Tekri. Once atop the hill, one can enjoy magnificent view of the city sprawled below and one can also view the lake from here. All of this further adds to the aura of the temple and many devotees come here to find peace and tranquility and a break from the chaotic city below. The main festival celebrated here in Navratri and on its occasion a magnificent fair is held each year. It draws locals and tourists in large numbers and the famous food stalls of Indore are set up here.
One of the oldest temples in the entire city, the temple is located in the Dudhia region of Indore. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built in the 7th century. It was built from the rocks that are available from the hills around the city and later was renovated by the Holkars under Rani Ahilya. The temple has water bodies all around it and that lends it a very tranquil feel. The temple itself stands around a sunken shrine and the original 7th century Shivalinga is submerged in water in the middle of it, which measures a whopping 12 feet. A water outlet, which is in the shape of a cow’s mouth can also be seen and hence it is known as Gomukh. The temple is however, commonly known as Garuda Tirth and it is the site of a great festival during Mahashivratri. A great fair is held here and people come from far and wide to attend. The temple premises come alive and special arrangements are made by the government to control the crowds.
The temple is made entirely from Kaanch, or glass, and that is how it gets its name and today it has become a prominent landmark of Indore. The walls and ceilings of the temple are done up with glass and mirrors and the effect it creates when the lamps are burning is truly mesmerizing. The reflections of the lamps and the other carefully placed artifacts produce a stunning effect and other replicas of this temple have also been built in some other cities of the world. The best thing is the use of various kinds of glasses, and there are stained glass and some broken down and some that are plastered in a very unique way across the temple. This temple is actually dedicated to the Jain gods but people of other religion come here too.
The Gommatagiri Digambar Temple is also another important Jain temple that is located in the older part of the city. The temple complex is known for its stunning 21 feet idol of Lord Bahubali and there are idols of all the Jain Tirthankaras inside the temple as well, along with their charankamals or divine footprints. The temple complex is large and it is done up in beautiful white marble. It is one of the most calming and peaceful temples in fact where many devotees also come to meditate. People of other religion are also welcome here. One can also find out about the teachings of Jainism here.
This temple is for the Swetambhar sect of Jains and is an important center for all followers of Jainism. The temple was founded in 1995 and was established by the Saint Shri Bhadranand Vijayji Maharasaab. The followers of Jainism hold this temple most dear. The temple has a simple yet very aesthetic architecture and because it is located atop a hill, the ambience here is very peaceful. The Jain festivals are celebrated here with a lot of pomp and a great deal of reverence. The devotees here try to lead a very simple lifestyle.
If you are in Indore, you must go for a tour of these spectacular temples as it will help you form a better idea of the place. You will come back gaining new insight about the city. You can also go to Omkareshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh which is another prominent temple in the state.
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April 15, 2024 
