Annapurna Mandir: A 9th Century Temple in Indore
Indore’s oldest temple, dedicated to Devi Annapurna, the female deity of food and knowledge, is a 6-minute drive from Lal Bagh Palace. My first encounter with this 9th-century Annapurna Mandir was at the towering entryway, where I was greeted by the traditional songs of a frail, elderly clarinettist hunkering behind one of the four life-size elephants maintaining the bedecked Mandir gates. Throughout my visit to the temple, the sounds made by his cylindrical clarinet lingered in the air.
Annapurna Temple institutes a monumental connection with Meenakshi Temple in Madurai by its analogous graphics, which include life-sized elephants at the entryway and Dravidian art engraved all over. The intricate sculptures of mythological figures on the temple’s walls add to the temple’s allure.
This 100-foot-tall temple honours the mystical union of Annapurna (a manifestation of Goddess Parvati) and Shiva, Hinduism’s ultimate power couple. The Annapurna Upanishad and Kalidasa’s Kumara Sambhavam are the first references to Devi Annapurna.
These ancient texts mention Devi Annapurna, and Varanasi, India’s sacred centre, in detail. Devi Annapurna’s court in Indore is likewise, decked in the atmosphere of Varanasi, with vivid memories of the Adi Shakti Maa Durga. In India, Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated as the goddess Annapurna’s birthday.
The deity’s figure within the temple is holding a deep-bowled long-handled spoon and a vessel, signifying that worshipers would always be able to eat.
The Annapurna temple also houses the shrines of Kalabhairava, Hanuman, and Shiva, in addition to architectural splendour. After passing through Annapurna Mandir’s carved walls, you’ll come to a magnificent Krishna Temple with murals depicting Krishna Leela on its walls. All of this takes place within the same temple complex! This temple is a marvellous monument worth visiting, whether you are a fan of ancient India or the Hindu religion.
