Religious Places in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh embraces people practicing different religions. Therefore, Madhya Pradesh is home to many important worship places inside India. These religious places is scattered across the state, and are popular for their mystical overtones and their architectural magnificence. Most splendid temples, mosques and monasteries in India adorn the landscape of Madhya Pradesh and heighten its popularity amongst religious travellers. Every year, many devotees come to worship these religious destinations across the state, for offering their homage to Divinity. These religious places, impart from various dynasties, also unearth the rich historical past of Madhya Pradesh since centuries. They stand as emblem to the period they belong to and solve the architectural modes preferred by different dynasties. Thus, religion and art have blended and contributed to the creation of these architectural wonders of Madhya Pradesh. This blog will help you to explore more on the various importand worship places in Madhya Pradesh and embark on a spiritual voyage to the religious places in Central India.

BADA GANPATI TEMPLE

Built in the year 1875, Bada Ganpati Temple of Indore is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. As the name indicates, the temple enshrines the largest statue of 'Ganapati' or Lord Ganesha in the whole world. The huge bright-orange idol measure above 8 mtr from crown to foot and is made up of metals like gold, silver, copper, brass and iron.

BADE GANESHJI KA MANDIR

One of the important landmark of Ujjain, temple enshrines a large ornate idol of the Hindu deity 'Ganesh'. The highly wrought idol of the elephant God, believed to be one of his largest sculptured images, and is a major attraction amongst tourists who visit Ujjain. This place also harbors the only 'panchmukhi' (five-face) statue of Lord 'Hanuman' within its boundary.

BUDDHIST TEMPLES

Built to praise the teachings of Lord Buddha, Buddhist temples of Sanchi display various poses of Buddha, in his journey towards salvation. These prehistoric temples are stamps of Gupta art and architecture and are prominent attractions of Sanchi. Different symbols pertaining to Buddhism and various religious inscriptions make Sanchi a haven for spiritual travellers.

BUDDHA VIHARA

Buddha Vihara, located at few kilometers from Sanchi, is also famous religious site for Buddhists. This sacred relics of the Satdhara Stupa, placed inside a glass strongbox on a platform of the inner sanctum which comprise of the main site of worship. This Vihara also serves as a residence for the monks who come to pursue religious studies here.

CHATARBHUJ MANDIR

This famous Shrine of Gwalior was built in 876 AD. It honours Lord Vishnu and houses a colossal idol of the deity. The architectural prowess of the shrine coupled with its religious glory is indeed stupendous. Steep steps lead to the top of the temple, which is ideal for witnessing the beauty of the surrounding dotted with villages and buildings.

MAHAKALESHWAR TEMPLE

Declared sacred by one of the twelve 'jyotirlingas' in India, Mahakaleshwar Temple of Ujjain evokes passionate religious sentiments. It displays magnificent 'shikhara', highly stylized exterior and houses finely carved idols of various Hindu deities, along with Shiva. On the auspious day of 'Mahashivratri', an enormous fair organized near the temple attracts a lot of devotees.

CHINTAMAN GANESH MANDIR

Chintaman Ganesh Mandir, also devoted to Lord Ganesha, dated 11^th - 12^th century and displays the grandeur of Paramara architecture. This temple is entirely carved from stone and houses a 'swayambhu' (self-manifested) idol of Lord Ganesha, accompanied by his two wives Riddhi and Siddhi, inside the 'Garbhgriha'.

HARSIDDHI TEMPLE

One of the famous 'Shaktipeeths' in India, Harsiddhi temple of Ujjain enshrines a vermilion colored idol of Goddess 'Annapurna', which is placed between the idols of Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati. This temple is believed to be the place where Goddess Sati's elbow fell, when Lord Shiva carried away her body from the sacrificial fire.

JAIN TEMPLE

Among various monuments that crown the fort town of Mandu, Jain Temple is notable, as it is the only non-Muslim monument of the place. This modern temple complex embellished images of various Jain 'Tirthankars' in marble, silver and gold. There is also a Jain Museum adjoined to the temple, with a walk-on replica of the 'Palitana'.

JAMA MASJID

Built during the region of Qudisiya Begum in 1837, Jama Masjid is a monument in Bhopal. It’s slender tower soar to great heights and are visible from far distance. Three bulbous cupolas crown the monument and highlight its architectural theory. The interior of the mosque, with its marble-sheathed inner sanctum, is also a marvelous example of Islamic architecture.

MOTI MASJID

Moti Masjid of capital city Bhopal has a resemblance to the Jama Masjid of New Delhi. Built by Sikandar Jahan dated 1860, Moti Masjid explain the heights attained by Islamic art and architecture. Constructed with red sandstone, its highly stylized structure is the preliminary version of Muslim architecture. It has an eye-catching marble exterior, with two red minarets crowned by golden points.

JATA SHANKAR TEMPLE

Pachmarhi’s Jata Shankar Temple is one of the most frequented tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh. It is actually a sacred cavern, cramped under a mass of loose boulders. The place is named 'Jatasankar' as a rock formation here resembles the tangled manes of Lord Shiva. 'Samadhistha Shiva', is housed in this cave, resembles the hood of a serpent and is a site of sacred admiration and acclaim.

KAL BHAIRAVA TEMPLE

Located in Ujjain District of Madhya Pradesh, Kal Bhairav Temple is trusted to be the brainchild of King Bhadrasen. Devoted to Kal Bhairava, the chief of the eight Bhairavas, this temple is situated on the holy banks of river Shipra. It is a sacred pilgrim site, especially for people of Shaivite tradition. Antiques of paintings in Malwa style is a striking feature of this very temple.

LAKSHMI NARAYAN TEMPLE

Lakshmi Narayan Temple of Bhopal commemorates the Hindu deities Vishnu and Lakshmi. Widely known as Birla Temple, this sandy-yellow structure houses idol of many Gods and Goddesses and transmit spiritual wealth. Along with the blessed aura of the place, its beautifully carved passage and green lawns make it a famous tourist place of Bhopal.

SAAS- BAHU TEMPLE

Saas-Bahu temple of Bhopal is dedicated to God Vishnu which is known for its spiritual significance and magnificent beauty. An 11th century structure, its name can be a misinterpreted, as it metaphorically and traditionally implies to two temples of different sizes, adjoined to each other. These temples display richly carved statues and intricate artwork.

TELI KA MANDIR

Khown to be Pratihara Vishnu temple, Teli Ka Mandir was built in the 9th century A.D. The structure rises to a height of 100 ft and displays a unique architecture, with fine amalgam of Indo-Aryan and Dravidian characteristics. The top of the temple is distinctly Dravidian, whereas the carved decoration radiate strong Indo-Aryan appeal.

TAJ-UL-MASJID BHOPAL

Known to be one of the huge and most carefully arranged patterned mosques in India, Taj-ul-Masjid means 'The Crown of Mosques'. With its pink exterior and white-domed minarets, it elevates to great heights and stands as a stunning ovation to the Begums rule in Bhopal. Constructed during the rule of Shah Jehan Begum, the monument however saw completion after her death.