We know that Madhya Pradesh is the heart of India, and it has renowned architectural and heritage marvels and temples restored by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, such as Khajrana Ganesh Temple. Talking about temples, did you know about the Kanch Mandir of Indore, known for its beautiful glasswork and one of the architectural marvels of Madhya Pradesh, India? Let’s find out more about the Kanch Mandir in Indore. About Kanch Mandir In Indore
The Indore Kanch Mandir, also known as The Glass Temple or The Temple of Glass, is one of the famous Jain temples in Indore, located near the Pasari Bhawan, Itwaria Bazar. This temple has completed more than 100 years and stands still in Indore. We know that temples stand as the symbol of divinity and spirituality. Still, the glass temple is also known for its glass works, carvings, designs and texture. People from different corners visit here to observe the beauty of the temple. The Glass Temple is a central institution for the Jain community of Indore.
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History Of Kanch Mandir
Looking at the history of Kanch Mandir, it was built by renowned trader Seth Hukumchand and the construction of Kanch Mandir took place in 1903. Sir Seth Hukumchand was one of India’s Industrial pioneers and built various mansions. One is the Shish Mahal in the Itwaria Bazar adjacent to the Kanch Mandir in Indore.
Architecture Of The Kanch Mandir
The architecture of the glass temple looks like a medieval mansion with complete canopied balconies and a shikhara. The Shish Mahal and The Glass Temple are made externally of white stone. Internally, the entire temple consists of glass, from the roof to pillars, windows, and doors, everything is adorned with glass.
Inside The Glass Temple
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If you step into the Kanch Mandir, everything is covered with glass panels and mosaics, pillars, floors, corridors, columns, walls, and ceilings. It is said that the objects inside the temple were imported from Belgium, and the artisans were from Iran and hired craftsmen from Jaipur.The whole ornamentation of the temple follows the mediaeval Jain style of architecture that uses multicoloured sparkling glasses and mirrors. Suppose you are looking at the garbhagriha of the temple.
In that case, you will find the Idols of the “Tirthankaras” of the Jain community that are edged by the mirrors on both sides; hence, you can see the image of the idols infinite times and the Idol of Wardhaman Mahavira, also known as Lord Mahavira that is made up of black onyx is beautifully decorated with colourful glass beads.
Inside the temple, you will also find various portraits and paintings that resemble the story of historic events, such as the temple’s consecration and family portraits of Seth Hukumchand. There are 50 different murals that showcase a few stories of Jainism.
Suggested Read: Lal Bagh Palace Indore: A Royal Journey Into Indore’s Rich Heritage!
Festivals Celebrated In The Kanch Mandir
Various festivals are enthusiastically celebrated in The Glass Temple, including Sugandha Dashami, Kshamavani, Ratha Yatra, and Mahavir Jayanti. On the occasion of Sugandha Dashami, various mandalas are created on the temple’s premises. The Kshamavani is known to be a festival of forgiveness, and the Annual Ratha Yatra is a ritual where a golden palakhi is taken out once a year from the temple.
Kanch Mandir Timings
The Kanch Mandir timings are from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and there is no entry fee for visiting the temple. However, the timings may vary accordingly during the festival.
How To Reach Kanch Mandir
As you know everything about the Kanch Mandir of Indore, you must be looking for suitable routes to visit the temple. Here are some ways that you can choose1. By Road
Madhya Pradesh and the city of Indore have well-connected routes that make it accessible to any car, private bus, and state buses from nearby towns that will easily take towards the destination.
2. By Railway
If you choose a railway route, the nearest railway station is Indore Junction Railway Station. From there, you can book a cab, a taxi, an auto-rickshaw or a city bus to reach the Kanch Mandir. The temple is about 3-5 km away from the railway station.
3. By Airlines
The nearest airport is Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Indore. You can book any taxi or an app-based ride to reach the Kanch Mandir, which is 10 km away and takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Places To Visit Near Kanch Mandir
1. Annapurna Temple, Indore
The Annapurna Temple is the most visited place in Indore. It is dedicated to the goddess Annapurna, who is said to be a deity of food and nourishment. The architecture of Annapurna temple is said to be influenced by the Meenakshi Temple located in Madurai. Apart from the goddess Annapurna, the temple also consists of shrines to other Hindu Gods, such as Shiva, Hanuman, and Kal Bhairav. The temple is decorated with flowers and lights during festivals, giving it a mesmerizing effect. 2. Rajwada Palace, Indore
If you want to find more heritage sites in Indore, you can visit the Rajwada Palace, which holds the legacy of the Holkar dynasty. The Rajwada Palace is known for its French, Mughal and Maratha styles of architecture, built by Malhar Rao Holkar in 1747. The Rajwada Palace is a seven-storey building made of wood and stone, with the lower three floors made of stone and the upper floors made of wood. The Rajwada Palace is one of the best places to visit near Kanch Mandir. Restaurants Near Kanch Mandir
You have explored the intricately carved Jain Mandir and other places nearby. Now, you must be looking for restaurants to calm your stomach. Here are some of the places that you can visit in Indore
1. Shree Gajanan Bhojnalay
At walking distance from the Glass Temple, you will find Shree Gajanan Bhojanalay, perfect for vegetarian dining as the restaurant is an outlet for Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan Indore. Shree Gajanan Bhojnalay is one of the best restaurants near Kanch Mandir in Indore.
2. Chawla’s 2
At about 1 km from the Glass Temple, you can opt for Chawla’s restaurant, located at the famous Malhar Mega Mall in Indore and is known for its comfortable ambience and value-for-money food with excellent taste. Suggested Read: 8 Best Places To Eat In Indore: A Culinary Delight
Hotels Near Kanch Mandir
You had your lunch, breakfast and dinner at nearby restaurants, but where will you rest your head after a long day? Here are some of the hotels that you can opt for
1. Hotel Apna Palace, Indore
Suppose you are looking for a place that provides premium, hygienic and comfortable rooms on a budget. In that case, you can opt for Hotel Apna Palace, which includes everything you need. The Hotel Apna Palace is one of the best hotels near Kanch Mandir of Indore.
2. Cosmopolitan Hotel, Indore
At a distance of 2 km, you can find the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Indore, known for its value-for-money services and providing premium and hygienic rooms; it is a decent hotel for families.
Conclusion
Whether you are a member of the Jain community, a history and heritage enthusiast or just a regular traveller, the Kanch Mandir embraces everyone with its sparkles. It is a living example of art, history and spirituality. So whenever you are in Indore, remember to visit the famous Glass Temple for a beautiful experience.
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