Gadh Kalika Temple

Gadh Kalika Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kalika located on a hillock near Dhar Fort in Dhar town, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. Revered as a Shakti shrine, it is associated with the Paramara era and local traditions linking it to the region's historic fort. The temple offers views over Dhar town and attracts devotees especially during Navratri, serving as a notable religious and cultural landmark in the Malwa region.

Visitors can expect a hilltop temple complex near Dhar Fort reached by a short climb of steps. The shrine houses an idol of Goddess Kalika and offers views of Dhar town and the surrounding fort area. The setting is religious and tranquil, with devotees offering prayers, ringing bells, and participating in aarti. The temple courtyard and approach provide space for sightseeing and photography of the town and fort landscape.

Gadh Kalika Temple is traditionally associated with the historic town of Dhar, capital of the Paramara dynasty. Local tradition links the shrine to the fort (Gadh) area and considers it an ancient Shakti shrine that has been renovated and maintained over time. It reflects the long-standing Shakti worship tradition in the Malwa region.

The temple is a revered Shakti shrine dedicated to Goddess Kalika, an important deity for local devotees. It is a focal point during Navratri and other Hindu festivals when devotees gather for prayers and aarti. The temple is part of the religious and cultural identity of Dhar town.