Annapurna Temple

The Annapurna Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Annapurna in western Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Built in 1959 and inspired by the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, it is noted for its colourful Dravidian-style gopuram, ornate sculptural work and four life-size elephant statues at the entrance. The temple complex also houses shrines to Shiva, Hanuman and Kal Bhairav and is a prominent religious and architectural landmark in Indore.

Visitors can expect a South Indian Dravidian-style temple complex with a tall, colourful gopuram adorned with detailed sculptures of deities. The main sanctum enshrines Goddess Annapurna, with additional shrines for Shiva, Hanuman and Kal Bhairav within the compound. The entrance is flanked by four life-size elephant statues. The premises include an open courtyard, pillared mandapa, and decorative walls, offering a calm devotional atmosphere for darshan, prayer and photography of the architecture.

The temple was constructed in 1959 by the late Shri Daryanomalji after being inspired by the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. It was built to enshrine Goddess Annapurna and reflects mid-20th century patronage of Dravidian temple architecture in central India.

Dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati regarded as the goddess of food and nourishment, the temple is an important centre of worship in Indore. It draws large numbers of devotees during Navratri, Dussehra and other Hindu festivals and is valued for its South Indian architectural style in a central Indian city.