Gopal Mandir

Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh


The Scindias built this marble-spired temple, a fine example of Maratha architecture, in the 19th century. The sanctum’s silver-plated doors originated at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, but were taken from there to Ghazni, Afghanistan, by Muslim raiders. Ahmad Shah Durani later took them to Lahore (in present-day Pakistan), before Mahadji Scindia brought them here.

The bazaar alleyways in this part of town are wonderful places to explore.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh attractions

1. Sati Gate

0.27 MILES

Colourfully painted, pointed-arch gate over the street 400m east of the Gopal Mandir.

2. Mahakaleshwar Mandir

0.41 MILES

While this is not visually the most stunning temple, tagging along behind a conga-line through the underground chambers can be magical. At nonfestival…

3. Harsiddhi Mandir

0.5 MILES

Built during the Maratha period, this temple enshrines a famous vermilion-painted image of goddess Annapurna. At the entrance, two tall blackened stone…

4. Sinhasan Battisi

0.51 MILES

Vikram Teela, a small island in Rudra Sagar lake, is covered with statuary (installed in 2016) that re-creates the magical throne and court of the…

5. Fateh Masjid

0.52 MILES

The tall white minaret of this mosque is a landmark en route from the train station to the Mahakaleshwar Mandir.

6. Ram Ghat

0.55 MILES

The most central and popular of Ujjain’s river ghats, strung with orange- and pink-roofed shrines, is busy all day with people bathing and presenting…

7. Vedh Shala

1.23 MILES

Ujjain has been India’s Greenwich since the 4th century BC, and this simple-looking but surprisingly complicated observatory was built by Maharaja Jai…

8. Clock Tower

1.26 MILES

Landmark on a busy intersection in the Freeganj area east of the railway station.