Harsiddhi Mata Temple, Ujjain

Getting there

• By air

  Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore is about 51 to 58 km away. Taxis and buses run from Indore to Ujjain.

• By train

  Ujjain Junction is about 2.5 km from the temple. Autos and e-rickshaws run to the Mahakal area.

• By road

  Ujjain is about 55 km from Indore by road. The temple is about 600 metres from Mahakaleshwar, an easy walk.

Rules to know

• Remove your footwear before entering the temple.
• Do not leave lit lamps at the base of the lamp pillars; lamps left there by pilgrims started a fire in April 2023.

Why devotees come here

Harsiddhi Mata Temple is a Shakti Peeth in Ujjain, about 600 metres from the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. It is known for two tall lamp pillars in its courtyard, lit with hundreds of oil lamps at the evening aarti. Darshan is usually from about 5 AM to 7 PM.

Harsiddhi is one of the Shakti Peethas. The Shiva Purana says that when Shiva carried away the burning body of Sati, her elbow fell at this spot. The Skanda Purana tells how the Devi got her name. Two demons, Chand and Prachand, tried to force their way into Kailash. Shiva called on Chandi to destroy them. Pleased, he gave her the name Harsiddhi, the one who vanquishes all.

In the sanctum, the idol of Annapurna, painted in dark vermilion, sits between Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. A Shri Yantra is also enshrined here. Popular belief links the temple with King Vikramaditya of Ujjain, who is said to have worshipped the Devi here.

The present temple was rebuilt in the Maratha period. Its two lamp pillars, about 51 feet tall, are fine examples of Maratha art. When they are lit for the evening aarti, the whole courtyard glows. There is also an old well on the premises, topped with a carved pillar.

Festivals

• September or OctoberNavratri

  Ghat sthapana, Durga Saptashati every day, and an official havan on Mahashtami.

• Every 12 years in UjjainSimhastha Kumbh

  Millions of pilgrims come to Ujjain, and the temple is part of their round.

Tips for your visit

• Come for the evening aarti if you can; that is when the lamp pillars are lit.
• Visit Harsiddhi on the same trip as Mahakaleshwar, as the two temples are only about 600 metres apart.
• Devotees sponsor the lighting of the pillars and the wait can run to months, so book well before Navratri.
• October to March is the most comfortable season for elderly visitors; Ujjain summers are very hot.
• Avoid Navratri evenings with a parent who cannot stand in long queues.

Questions people ask