Photo spot in Indore
Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)
Indore, Madhya Pradesh
A dazzling Jain temple whose entire interior — walls, ceiling, pillars — is inlaid with glass and mirror mosaic.
Best time
Morning, when the bazaar lane outside is calmer and you can photograph the façade without crowds.
Best angle
Stand across the lane and take a straight-on photo of the façade and its canopied balcony, as photography is not allowed inside the temple.
Entry fee
Free (no photography inside)
Opening hours
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)
Morning, when the bazaar lane outside is calmer and you can photograph the façade without crowds. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)
Stand across the lane and take a straight-on photo of the façade and its canopied balcony, as photography is not allowed inside the temple. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
At the temple entrance
Outfit guide
What to wear at Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)
For photos at Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple), white, pastel and gold work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Indore.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Indore.
Eat nearby
Food near Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for sabudana khichdi nearby.
Special dishes to try
Good to know
Local tips
Photography is not allowed inside, so take your photos of the outside only.
Remove your shoes at the entrance and wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
Leave leather belts, wallets and bags behind if you can, as many Jain temples do not allow leather inside.
Check the timings before you go, as they can change and may include a midday break.
Visit in the morning, when the lanes of Itwaria Bazaar outside are calmer.
Look up at the ceiling and around the sanctum, where the mirrors repeat the reflections again and again.
Walk on to Rajwada, under a kilometre away, and come back to Sarafa Bazaar for dinner after 9 pm.
About Kanch Mandir
Kanch Mandir, the Glass Temple, is a Jain temple in Itwaria Bazaar in Indore's old city. It was built by Seth Hukumchand, a leading Indore merchant and industrialist, with work starting around 1903. From the outside it looks like an old mansion with a canopied balcony, but inside almost every surface, from the floor and pillars to the walls and ceiling, is covered in glass, mirrors and mosaic.
In the main sanctum, mirrors on both sides of the Tirthankara idols make their reflections seem to go on for ever. Photography is not allowed inside, so take your time and enjoy the detail in person. The temple is under a kilometre from Rajwada, so it fits easily into a morning walk through the old city.
Questions
Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple) — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)?
Morning, when the bazaar lane outside is calmer and you can photograph the façade without crowds. Stand across the lane and take a straight-on photo of the façade and its canopied balcony, as photography is not allowed inside the temple.
Is there an entry fee at Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)?
Entry to Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple) is free (no photography inside).
What are the opening hours of Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)?
Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple) is open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
What should I wear at Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)?
White, pastel and gold photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple) get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: morning, when the bazaar lane outside is calmer and you can photograph the façade without crowds.
What food should I try near Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple)?
Try sabudana khichdi at spots close by.
What is Kanch Mandir famous for?
Kanch Mandir is famous for its interior, where the floor, pillars, walls and ceiling are covered in glass, mirrors and mosaic. Mirrors around the Tirthankara idols in the main sanctum make their reflections seem endless.
Can I take photos inside Kanch Mandir?
No. Photography is not allowed inside the temple. You can photograph the façade and its canopied balcony from the lane outside.
How do I reach Kanch Mandir?
Kanch Mandir is in Itwaria Bazaar in the old city, under a kilometre from Rajwada. Walk over from Rajwada through the bazaar, or take an auto-rickshaw, as the lanes are narrow and busy.
How much time do I need at Kanch Mandir?
20–30 minutes is enough to see the glasswork. Combine it with Rajwada and the old-city bazaars for a half-day walk.