The accident took place on Thursday as devotees gathered at the Hindu temple in the state of Madhya Pradesh to celebrate the festival of Ram Navami.
The floor of the temple caved in and over 30 people fell into an old well underneath, according to local media reports.
"We have rescued 18 people, 35 have been found dead and 16 are injured," Ilayaraja T, a top local government official, told the Reuters news agency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
Modi also announced an aid of Rs. 200,000 (€2230 approx.) for the next of kin of each deceased in the accident.
The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 (€558), the Prime Minister's office said in a statement on Twitter.
