Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir glorifies the city of Ujjain. Ganesh is considered to be the most benevolent God that blesses his followers with wealth and prosperity. He has a very sweet figure with a tusk of an elephant and is considered to be the favorite son of Parvati, or Goddess Durga.
It is located very near the Maha Kaleshwar Temple. Bade in Hindi means large, and Mandir in Hindi means a temple, so the entire phrase Bade Ganeshji Ki Mandir means The Temple of the Big Ganesh Statue. The Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir is situated near the reservoir of the Maha Kaleshwar Temple and consists of a large idol of Sri Ganesh. Ganesh is the son of Parvati and Lord Shiva and is the most worshipped deity in India.
He has a tusk that makes him look more adorable and lovely. Being the most benevolent God, he blesses his followers with health, wealth and prosperity.
The middle of the temple gate at Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir is adorned with a Panchamukhi image of Lord Hanuman. In hindi, Panchamukhi means five faced. Hanuman is supposed to impart strength and power to his followers.
History of the Bade Ganesh Ka Mandir:
This city had once been the pride of India. It was reigned by King Asoka, the great Mauryan ruler who had an ambition for a vast kingdom. But the war of Kalinga changed him and he was transformed into a benevolent king whose only concern was the benefit and comfort of his subjects.
So, he embraced Buddhism that taught the doctrine of Universal Love towards all men. Asoka was the sole individual responsible for the far reaching fame of Buddhism. After Asoka, the Mauryan king Viramaditya or Chandragupta-II came to the throne and his court was adorned by the nine gems that were specialists in nine various subjects.
They were popularly Known as Navaratna. There is also a splendid temple of the Mahakaleshwar at Ujjain.
It is the most sacred site of the Hindus because they worship Lord Shiva whose incarnation as Mahakal is conspicuous at that temple. He is worshipped during the Shiva Ratri Festival before which, the Kumbh Mela is held there for everytwelve years.
How to Reach Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir:
You can come by rented cars or bus at Bade Ganeshji ka Mandir, after reaching Madhya Pradesh and Ujjain. Indore is the nearest airport, and Ujjain has direst rail link with a number of major cities in India.