Bada Ganpati Temple

Bada Ganpati Temple is a prominent Hindu temple located in Malharganj area of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, known for housing one of the largest Ganesh idols in India, measuring about 25 feet from crown to foot. Built in 1875, the temple is situated near Rajwada Palace in central Indore. It is a major religious and tourist attraction, drawing devotees year-round and especially during Ganesh Chaturthi, noted for its massive brick, limestone and jute idol.

Visitors can expect a busy central-city temple complex centered on a massive 25-foot orange Ganesh idol in the sanctum. The temple has a simple exterior with an entrance gateway, a courtyard and a pillared hall leading to the shrine. The surroundings are urban with shops selling prasad, flowers and offerings. Visitors can have darshan, observe daily aarti, and explore the hall and courtyard area. Crowds are heavier on Wednesdays and during Ganesh Chaturthi.

The temple was built in 1875 by Shri Dadhich, an ardent devotee, during the Holkar reign in Indore. The colossal Ganesh idol was constructed using bricks, limestone, jute and clay, and has been preserved and repainted over decades. It is regarded as one of the tallest Ganesh idols in central India and has been a landmark of Indore for over 140 years.

The temple is one of the most revered Ganesh shrines in Indore and Madhya Pradesh. It holds major religious importance for devotees of Lord Ganesha, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Jayanti and Wednesdays considered auspicious for Ganesha worship. The massive idol and its sindoor-covered form are considered auspicious and attract pilgrims from across the region.