Harsiddhi Mata Temple is one of Ujjain’s great Shakti shrines, believed to stand where Sati’s elbow fell. It is closely tied to King Vikramaditya, and is known for its two tall lamp towers, which are lit on festival evenings and above all during Navratri.
The goddess here is Harsiddhi, whose name is read as the one who grants every attainment. She is regarded as a protector of Ujjain, and the story told about her cannot be separated from that of Vikramaditya, the king whose name the city still carries in its legends.
Darshan timings change with festivals; check with the temple on the day. This page describes the place and its traditions.
The Shakti Peeth tradition says that when Shiva, grieving, carried Sati’s body, parts of it fell at places across the subcontinent, and each became a seat of the Goddess. Harsiddhi is counted among them — the place where the elbow is said to have fallen.
The Skanda Purana also names the goddess, as the power that destroys the forces that harm the city.
Folklore holds that King Vikramaditya worshipped Harsiddhi every day and credited his victories to her blessings. Popular tradition also credits him with building the temple in her honour.
Whatever its date, the connection explains why the temple has always been the temple of the city’s rulers and then of its people.
Two tall stone towers — deepstambhs — stand inside the entrance, each with rows of niches for small lamps. On festival evenings, and especially during Navratri, every niche is lit and the towers glow against the dark.
Seeing them lit is one of the best-known sights of Navratri in Ujjain.
Navratri, in Chaitra and again in Ashwin, is the temple’s great season: long queues, special worship through the nine days and the lamp towers lit each evening.
Between Navratris the temple is far quieter, and an early-morning visit is unhurried.
Harsiddhi is only about a kilometre and a half from Mahakaleshwar, near the Rudra Sagar, so the two are easily visited on the same day. Check the temple’s timings for the day; they change with festivals.
We are an independent booking service, not the temple’s office. For poojas in Ujjain, see below.
We do not run a separate Harsiddhi pooja. Our poojaris perform Rudrabhishek, Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap and other rites in Ujjain on your behalf, and booking through us is free.
By tradition, yes. It is said to be where Sati’s elbow fell, and it is counted among the Shakti Peeths.
Two tall stone towers with niches for many small lamps stand at the entrance. They are lit on festival evenings, above all during Navratri.
Folklore holds that King Vikramaditya worshipped her daily and credited his victories to her; tradition also credits him with building the temple.
About a kilometre and a half, near the Rudra Sagar, so both can be visited on the same day.