Bagalamukhi Temple, Hindu temple in Nalkheda, India.
Bagalamukhi Temple is a Hindu temple in Nalkheda, Madhya Pradesh, India, dedicated to a tantric form of the divine feminine. The stone structures display detailed carvings of sacred figures, and multiple pillared halls form the assembly areas close to the riverbank.
Oral tradition links the foundation to King Yudhishthira from the Mahabharata epic, who built a shrine following Krishna's instructions. Later rulers expanded the complex and added the pillared halls and carvings visible today.
Worshippers approach the shrine to seek blessings related to speech control and protection from adversaries. The name Bagalamukhi translates to "she who paralyzes the mouth" and reflects the deity's power to silence harmful speech.
Visitors should wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, as religious sites in the region expect respectful attire. The journey from Indore takes about three hours by bus or taxi.
The statue of the goddess inside is considered self-manifested, not created by human hands, making it a rare example of a Svayambhu image. Only two other old temples in India house similar representations of this tantric deity.
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