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Baidyesvara Temple, Agrahat, Odisha

Baidyesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Agrahat village near Chaudwar Town in Cuttack District in Odisha State, India. The temple is situated amidst a mango grove in Agrahat village. The temple is situated on the left side of the road leading from Charbatia (Chudakhia Chaka) to Mangarajpur.

History

The current structure is recently built but the sculptures present in the temple are dated to 10^th century CE during the reign of Somavamsis.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of rekha vimana and an open pillared Nandi mandapa. The vimana is square on plan and Nandi mandapa is rectangular on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Baidyesvara. In the form of Lingam within a circular yonipitha.

The temple is famous for its natural stream present in the temple premises. It is said that the water of this stream has medicinal properties to heal several diseases. There are few loose sculptures and architectural fragments of an ancient temple of bygone era can be seen in the temple premises.

Festivals

Shivarathri and Kartika Purnima are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from ARC Charbatia Bus Stop, 2.5 Kms from Charbatia Railway Station, 3.5 Kms from O T M Chaka Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Manguli Chaudwar PH Railway Station, 7 Kms from Mangarajpur, 13 Kms from Cuttack Junction Railway Station, 14 Kms from Cuttack, 17 Kms from Cuttack Bus Stand, 39 Kms from Bhubaneswar and 43 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport. The temple is situated on the left side of the road leading from Charbatia (Chudakhia Chaka) to Mangarajpur.

Location

Baidyanath Temple, Baideswar, Odisha

Baidyanath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Baideswar Village in Cuttack District in Odisha State, India. The temple is situated on southern bank of the Mahanadi river in the vicinity of Hatia hillock. The Temple is situated on Cuttack to Daspalla route.

History

The temple is believed to be built by the Gangas in 14^th century CE. The temple is under the control of Endowment Department, Government of Odisha.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of a pidha vimana and a pillared mandapa with galvanized steel sheet roof. The vimana is square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and panchangabada in elevation. The doorjambs of the sanctum have three bands of decorations. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Baidyanath, in the form of Linga within a circular yonipitha.

The nisha shrines are added over the parsvadevta niches. The exterior walls of the sanctum is devoid of decoration except a few stucco maithuna images. Idols of Varaha, Parvati, Kartikeya, Shiva, Mahisasuramardini, Surya, and Trivikrama can be seen in the temple premises. There is a step well situated on the northern side of the temple.

Dhabalesvara Shrine:

This shrine is situated inside the Baidyanath Temple. It is an east facing pidha shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shrine enshrines the presiding deity, Dhabalesvara, in the form of Linga within a circular yonipitha. It also enshrines the images of Jain Thirthankara Parshvanatha and Goddess Parvathy. The exterior walls are devoid of any decoration. The temple is of later construction, but the images kept inside the sanctum, can be assigned to the Ganga period of 14^th century CE.

Kapilesvara Shrine:

This shrine is situated inside the Baidyanath Temple. The temple is believed to be built by Gajapathi rulers in 16^th century CE. It is an east facing pidha shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shrine is pancharatha on plan and panchanga bada in elevation. The shrine enshrines the presiding deity, Kapilesvara, in the form of Linga within a rectangular yonipitha. The shrine is square on plan and stands over a low raised platform. The exterior of the shrine is plain except the parsvadevta niches. The parsvadevta niches houses the images of Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvathy in the southern, western and northern side respectively.

Festivals

Shivarathri and Kartika Purnima are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Baideswar Bus Stand, 23 Kms from Begunia, 25 Kms from Begunia Railway Station, 41 Kms from Narasinghpur, 64 Kms from Daspalla, 65 Kms from Cuttack, 67 Kms from Bhubaneswar and 67 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport. The Temple is situated on Cuttack to Daspalla route.

Location

Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar – The Temple

This temple is situated on top of Shankaracharya Hill at an altitude of 1100 feet. The temple is located in the valley under high security zone and hence no camera and mobile is permitted on the top. The entrance to the hill is guarded by army personnel and cars are not permitted after 17:00 hours, although the temple remains open until 20:00 hours.

Devotees need to climb 243 steps to reach the entrance of the temple and have to climb another 10 steps with side walls from the entrance to the temple hall. The steps are not very steep and can be climbed easily. The temple is built on a 20 feet tall octagonal plinth. The temple is square on plan.

The interior of the sanctum is circular in plan. The interior of the sanctum is covered by a ply board ceiling concealing the flat sandstone slabs which are supported by two lintels bearing the load on four octagonal columns in the centre. The lower course of the ceiling is still extant in its original shape. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Jyesthesvara, in the form of Shiva Linga.

The Linga is large and oval shaped. It is a with reddish black stone probably brought from the Narmada River valley in Madhya Pradesh of Central India. The dome shaped ceiling and the brick roof over the sanctum is of recent construction. The temple is about 30 feet tall. The temple resembles the interior plan of a large temple at Ladhuv in the Valley.

The south west column of the temple bears two inscriptions of Mughal Period. The lower courtyard has an octagonal precast ornamental iron rain shelter shed with some benches for the benefit of the tourists. There are some modern structures added on the right side in Dogra period for the benefits of the priests of the temple.

The white marble bust of Adi Shankaracharya was installed by the J & K Dharmarth Trust in 20 April 1961 near the temple. There is a small marble tank built with slab stones situated just behind the temple. This temple offers enchanting views of Srinagar City and Kashmir valley. It also offers the splendid snow-covered mountains of Pir Panjal range.

Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar – Legends

As per legend, Adi Shankara visited Kashmir when Kashmiris were culturally & spiritually much advanced and believed strongly in the greatness of both Shiva and Shakti. On the other hand, Shankaracharya believed in Shiva not Sakthi. Shankaracharya camped with his disciples outside the city of Srinagar without any lodging facilities. A young Kashmir woman was sent to meet Shankaracharya to access their plight. She found them in difficult situation as they were not able to cook as no fire was made available to them.

The young woman asked why he was not able to produce fire despite being great. Then, she picked two thin wooden sticks in her hand, recited mantras & rubbed the sticks and fire was produced much to the surprise of Adi Shankaracharya. Later, a religious discourse was arranged between Shankaracharya and the woman. It went for 17 days continuously.

Finally, Adi Shankaracharya accepted his defeat. Further, he realized the importance of Shakthi cult. After accepting the predominance of Shakti cult, Shankaracharya wrote Soundarya Lahiri, in praise of Shakti, at the top of the hill, known as Gopadri Hill during ancient times. Thus, the hill and the temple came to be called as Shankaracharya hill and Shankaracharya temple in memory of him.

Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar – History

The temple was originally built by the Hindu king Sandiman reigned in Kashmir from 2629 to 2564 BC. It was extensively renovated by King Gopaditya (426–365 BC) and by King Lalitaditya (697–734 CE). Kalhana, author of Rajatarangini, mentions that King Gopaditya built the temple dedicated to Jyesthesvara on top of the hill. The temple is believed to have been visited by Adi Shankaracharya, which has made the temple to be associated with him.

As per historians, this temple was originally a Buddhist temple during the Buddhist era. The temple was then later on changed to a Hindu site and Adi Shankaracharya made it a Hindu place of worship. The Jews and Persians used to call it the Bagh-i-Sulaiman which means the Garden of King Solomon and the temple also has Persian engravings.

Sikandar Butshikan (Sikandar, the iconoclast) did not destroy this temple for some reason. Zain-ul-Abidin, eighth sultan of Kashmir, repaired the roof of the temple which had been destroyed during an earthquake in the region. The hill was also mentioned as Takht-e-Suleiman during the periods of the Mughal, Sikh, Afghan and Dogra periods. Sheikh Ghulam Mohi-ud-din, a Sikh Governor (1841–46 CE), also repaired the dome of the temple.

The temple and the hill derived the name Shankaracharya during this period. The temple was not in active worship in this period. It was consecrated as Shankaracharya temple and Shiva Linga was installed in the temple. The Dogra King Gulab Singh (1846-1857 CE) constructed the steps to the hill from Durga Naag temple side. The Maharaja of Mysore came to Kashmir in 1925 and made the electrical installations at the temple.

The Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peetham installed the statue of Adi Shankaracharya in the temple in 1964 CE. The Government of J&K constructed the road to the top of the hill in 1974 CE. The shrine is under the religious control of the Dharmarth Trust. The temple is a nationally Protected Monument under the Archaeological Monument, Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Shankaracharya Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Srinagar City in Srinagar District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Temple is also known as the Jyesthesvara Temple. It is situated on top of the Shankaracharya Hill (Gopadri Hill) on the Zabarwan Range. The temple is situated at about 1,100 feet above the valley floor and overlooks the city of Srinagar. The temple is frequented by pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/shankaracharya-temple-srinagar-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/shankaracharya-temple-srinagar-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/shankaracharya-temple-srinagar-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple opens in morning 6.00 AM and the cars are allowed inside from then onwards. It is under the protection of the Army and hence the entrance is guarded by the army personnel. Cars aren’t permitted inside the temple after 5.00 PM, but the temple does remain open till 8.00 PM.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Srinagar Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Srinagar Railway Station, 20 Kms from Srinagar Airport and 271 Kms from Jammu. The Temple lies across the Nehru Park which is a beautiful island within the Dal Lake. One can either trek to Shankaracharya Temple from the Durga Naag Temple lying in civil lines area or alternatively one can take an automobile up to the footsteps from the Boulevard road. Tourists have to obtain special permission from the army department to visit this temple.

Location

Ranbireshwar Temple, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

Ranbireshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Jammu City in Jammu District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Linga in this temple is considered as one of the tallest Shiva Linga in India. This temple is one of the oldest temples in the Jammu city. The temple is situated on Shalimar road in front of Jammu Kashmir Civil Secretariat in Jammu City.

History

The Temple was built by the king of Jammu Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1878 CE. The Temple is named after its founder Maharaja Ranbir Singh.

The Temple

The temple is facing towards east. The statue of Maharaja Ranbir Singh is found in this temple complex. Nandi can be seen facing the sanctum. It is located near the statue of Ranbir Singh. The idol of nandi is made of brass and weighs around 1000 kg. The Sanctum is situated on the first floor. It can be accessed through flight of steps. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Ranbireshwar, in the form of Shiva Linga. The Linga is about 7.5 feet tall and made up of black marble stone. It is considered as one of the tallest Shiva Linga in India.

Utsava Idols of Lord Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha are also found in the sanctum. Paintings of Lord Shiva in various manifestations can be seen in walls of the sanctum. There are 12 Shiva Lingas, made of crystal in the temple. These Shiva Lingas are 18 inches high and 12 inches wide. Shrines of Kali, Pancha Mukha Hanuman, Ganesha and Shanmuka can be seen in the temple premises. There is a slab inside the temple on the right and left side which has around 1.25 lakhs Shivalingas brought from Narmada river.

Festivals

Mahashivaratri is the most famous festival celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Jammu Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Jammu Tawi Railway Station, 8 Kms from Jammu Airport and 265 Kms from Srinagar. The temple is situated on Shalimar road in front of Jammu-Kashmir civil secretariat in Jammu City. Jammu is situated on Srinagar to Pathankot route. (NH – 44). Jammu is well connected to rest of India by all means of transport.

Location

Raghunath Temple, Jammu – The Temple

The temple complex consists of 17 shrines dedicated to various deities of Hindu pantheon and few Samadhis of Dogra rulers of Gulab Singh‘s linage. It is considered as one of the largest temple complex in north India. The temple complex is entered by a double storeyed entrance on the east. Its arches and niches are undoubtedly influenced by Mughal architecture. The entrance of the temple has three entry doors.

The entrance of the temple has a life size image of Maharaja Ranbir Singh, builder of this temple and an idol of Lord Hanuman. The front fascia is 40 feet in width while the main shrine is set 50 feet away from the entrance. There are residential buildings and open cattle yards on its eastern and northern directions within the outer prakara. Seven shrines are considered as major shrines in the temple complex.

It is built on a raised platform of 5 feet height in an octagonal shape. All the seven shrines have gold plated spires. Gods and Goddesses enshrined in the seven shrines are all related to the epic Ramayana. The architectural features of the shrines are typical Dogra style but heavily influenced by Mughal architecture. A distinct feature noted in the entire temple complex is the stucco style embellishments built with brick masonry and finished with plaster.

The motifs crafted are of floral (lotuses) and geometric designs, on the walls, in the niches and on arches. All the spiral-shaped towers have gold plated spires. The niches in the walls of the shrines are decorated with 300 well-crafted icons of gods and goddesses. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum with a circumbulatory path and Maha Mandapa. The Maha Mandapa is supported by four huge rectangular pillars.

The Maha Mandapa has galleries housing 12, 00, 000 Saligramas (fossil ammonite stones specially obtained from the Gandaki river, in Nepal – a Vaishnava (Hindu) aniconic representation of Vishnu) and several Lingas. The Sanctum is facing towards east. The Sanctum houses Lord Rama / Ragunathji, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is accompanied by Lakshmana and Sita in the sanctum.

The Sanctum is square in plan. It measures 20 feet in length and 20 feet in breadth. It is surrounded by a circumambulatory passage (pradakshina path) of 10 feet width. The interior of the sanctum is gold plated. The shrine has a dome over the sanctum instead of the normal shikara in a pyramidal shape. The wall of the pradakshina path has the sculptures of Rahu, Ketu, Saneeswara, Agni, Kubera, Yama, Indra and Varuna.

The exterior walls of the sanctum have 15 panels, each of 9 feet height. These panels houses the Jammu School of painting depicting the legends from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita. It also houses few paintings relate to secular aspects, like Kabir, a saint, engaged in weaving and army personnel of Dogra and Sikh communities. The paintings also reveal the type of attire and the weaponry prevalent during the period of temple building.

There is a shrine for Karaneswara in the temple premises. It houses a Spadika Linga. Nandi can be found facing towards the shrine. It also houses idols of Parvati, Ganesha and Nataraja with his consort Shivagami. It is said that the main Linga was gifted by a German national. There is replica of all four Char Dham (Rameshwaram, Dwarkadhish, Badrinath and Kedarnath) in a room in the temple premises. It is placed in such a way that it can be seen from one direction.

Shrines and idols of Ganesha, Hanuman, Valmiki, Tulsidas, Vaishno Devi, Krishna, Brahma, Vishnu, Satya Narayan, Sesha Narayan, Lakshmi Narayan, Shiva, Dharmaraja, Surya, Badrinarayan, Drona, Krupa, Ashwatthama, Manu, Kartikeya, Virat, Dattatreya, Lakshmi, Parvati, Chamundi, Sarasvati, Kali, Gayatri, Indra, Yama, Vali, Sugriva, Yama, incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Dasharatha, Lakshman, Bharata, Vibhishana, Nakshatra and several Shiva Lingas can be seen in the temple premises.

The temple houses a Sanskrit library containing 6000 rare Sanskrit manuscripts and sacred scriptures in many Indian languages, with a notable collection of Sarada script Sanskrit manuscripts. This library was established during the reign of Dogra ruler Ranbir Singh. These are mostly copies made from manuscripts not available for sale, in Devanagari from Sarada originals, by scribes employed by the library in the nineteenth century.

The library added to its collection, in the 19^th century, a dozen rare Sanskrit birch bark codices in the Sarada script as an object of curiosity. The collection as indexed by Stein, included Sanskrit manuscripts (predominantly Devanagari) of Vedic literature, grammar, lexicography, prosody, music, rhetoric, Kavya, drama, fables, Dharmasutras, Mimamsa, Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Jyotisha, Architecture, Medicine, Epics, Puranas, Bhakti and Tantra.

The Dogra rulers funded a translation centre and included an effort to translate texts in Arabic and Persian languages into Sanskrit. The temple remains a significant scholarly source of Sarada script manuscripts and one of the largest collection of Hindu and Buddhist texts of the Kashmir tradition. The temple has been an early promoter of digitization initiative of the manuscripts it houses, and has started the e-Gangotri initiative to digitize ancient manuscripts from other parts of India.

Raghunath Temple, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

Raghunath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Jammu City in Jammu District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The temple complex is located in the old part of the Jammu city north of River Tawi with an average elevation of 350 m (1,150 ft). It is situated in the main tourist hub of Jammu city and is popularly known as Raghunath Bazar named after this temple.

Legends

Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu:

As per legend, this temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu to get rid of a sin committed by him. The Idol housed in the sanctum is believed to brought from Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama.

Shri Ram Das Bhairagi:

Maharaja Gulab Singh was inspired by an ardent devotee of Lord Rama, Shri Ram Das Bhairagi to build this temple in Jammu. Ram Das Bhairagi came to Jammu from Ayodhya to spread the teachings of Lord Ram.

History

The construction of this temple was started by the first Dogra ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh in1835 CE. It was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860 CE. However, according to an inscription in Brahmic script (Takri) at the entrance of the temple, Gulab Singh and his brother Dhyan Singh are credited with building the temple in 1827 in honour of Mahant Jagannath. British officers, C.E Bates and Frederic Drew from colonial India during their visit to Jammu mentions about this temple in their memoirs. The temple was attacked by Islamic terrorists on 30 March 2002 and again on 24 November 2002.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/raghunath-temple-jammu-temple.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Jammu Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Jammu Tawi Railway Station, 8 Kms from Jammu Airport and 263 Kms from Srinagar. The temple is situated on Raghunath Mandir road in Raghunath Bazar near Hari theatre in Jammu City. Jammu is situated on Srinagar to Pathankot route. (NH – 44). Jammu is well connected to rest of India by all means of transport.

Location

Martand Sun Temple, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir

Martand Sun Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Surya located near Anantnag in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Martand is Sanskrit name for the Hindu Sun god. This Sun Temple is considered as an important historic ruin of Kashmir. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The Martand Sun Temple was built by the third ruler of the Karkota Dynasty, Lalitaditya Muktipada, in the 8^th century CE. It is said to have been built during 725-756 CE. The foundation of the temple is said to have been around since 370-500 CE, with some attributing the construction of the temple to have begun with Ranaditya.

The temple was completely destroyed on the orders of Muslim ruler Sikandar Butshikan in the early 15^th century, with demolition lasting a year. The Government of India has developed the site as an important tourist site with facilities. The Archaeological Survey of India has declared the Martand Sun Temple as a site of national importance in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Temple

The Temple was built on top of a plateau from where one can view whole of the Kashmir Valley. The Temple ruins is an excellent specimen of Kashmiri architecture, which had blended the Gandharan, Gupta, Chinese, Roman, Syrian Byzantine and Greek forms of architecture. The temple has a colonnaded courtyard, with its primary shrine in its center and surrounded by 84 smaller shrines, stretching to be 220 feet long and 142 feet broad total and incorporating a smaller temple that was previously built.

The temple turns out to be the largest example of a peristyle in Kashmir, and is complex due to its various chambers that are proportional in size and aligned with the overall perimeter of the temple. The primary entrance to the temple is situated in the western side of the quadrangle and is the same width as the temple itself, creating grandeur. The entrance is highly reflective of the temple as a whole due to its elaborate decoration and allusion to the deities worshiped inside.

The primary shrine is located in a centralized structure (the temple proper) that is thought to have had a pyramidal top (a common feature of the temples in Kashmir). Various wall carvings in the antechamber of the temple proper depict other gods, such as Vishnu, and river goddesses, such as Ganga and Yamuna, in addition to the sun-god Surya.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Mattan, 9 Kms from Achabal Gardens, 10 Kms from Anantnag, 13 Kms from Anantnag Railway Station, 65 Kms from Srinagar and 67 Kms from Srinagar Airport. The Temple is situated on Mattan to Achabal Gardens Route.

Location

Tripura Sundari Temple, Naggar, Himachal Pradesh

Tripura Sundari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Naggar Town in Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh, India. This temple is three-tiered huge wooden structure and one of the best examples of pagoda style of architecture in Himachal region. It resembles similar to the famous Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali. The temple is situated on the banks of Beas river.

Legends

As per legend, this temple is believed to be built by the goddess Tripura Sundari herself in the form of spider.

History

The temple was constructed by Raja Yashodhapal in 11^th century CE.

The Temple

This temple follows pagoda style architecture and made of deodar wood. It is a huge wooden structure and is of three tiers. The top of this three-tiered shrine is circular with a pinnacle crowned by a Chhatra. The lower two tiers are divided by squat wooden pillars. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Tripura Sundari.

Shrines of Ganesha, Maha Vishnu, Maha Lakshmi, Shiva and Parvati can be seen in the temple premises. There is a 30 cm idol of Tripura Rakshasa (demon) in the temple premises. The pillars and doors are all made out of wood and have intricately carved designs. The carvings on the right side of the main shrine appear to be even older than the main temple itself.

Festivals

Sharhi Jatra, an annual fair honoring the presiding deity is held here in the month of May.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Naggar Bus Stop, 23 Kms from Manali, 28 Kms from Kullu, 37 Kms from Kullu Manali Airport, 110 Kms from Mandi, 131 Kms from Joginder Nagar Railway Station and 234 Kms from Shimla. The Temple is situated on Kullu to Manali route. Naggar is easily accessible through the buses run by HPTDC. These buses ply from Manali to Naggar via Khaknal.

Location

Mata Ashapuri Temple, Ashapuri, Himachal Pradesh

Mata Ashapuri Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Sakthi located in Ashapuri near Palampur Town in Palampur Tehsil in Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Temple situated on the top of the hill in Dhauladhar mountain range.

Legends

Mata Ashapuri:

As per legend, Pandavas spent few days in the caves named Malli during their incognito exile. Malli Caves is located at about 4 Kms from Mata Ashapuri Temple. Duryodhana dispatched Karna to expose the Pandavas in their exile. When Karna reached the caves, he could not find Pandavas. Karna found Pindi of Mata Ashapuri and built a temple for Mata Ashapuri.

Mata Vaishno Devi:

As per legend, Mata Vaishno Devi had appeared in the form of Pindi in the Malli Caves in the dream of a milk seller. He went to the cave seen in his dream in the morning and found three pindis of Mata Vaishno Devi and few idols of goddesses.

History

This temple was built in 16^th century CE by King Man Singh of Katoch descent.

The Temple

The temple is situated on top of the hill in Dhauladhar range. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and maha mandapa. The mandapa is crowned with a pyramidal superstructure. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines three pindis. The unique thing about most of the idol of Ashapura Mata is that it has 7 pairs of eyes. Maa Ashapuri temple is considered as the form of Mata Vaishno Devi. The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style architecture. There are niches around the sanctum and mandapa. Idols of lion and tiger can be seen outside the temple facing towards the sanctum.

Festivals

Navratri is celebrated here with much fanfare. An annual fair in honour of the presiding deity is celebrated during Navaratri.

Prayers

Devotees worship the goddess Ashapura Mata to realize their wishes and desires.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 20 Kms from Panchrukhi, 20 Kms from Panchrukhi Railway Station, 27 Kms from Baijnath, 30 Kms from Kasoti, 30 Kms from Jaisinghpur, 30 Kms from Palampur Bus Stand, 31 Kms from Palampur, 48 Kms from Joginder Nagar, 61 Kms from Kangra, 64 Kms from Kangra Airport and 220 Kms from Shimla. The temple is situated at about 10 Kms from Bhuana on Palampur to Jaisinghpur route.

Location

Gauri Shankar Temple, Dashal, Himachal Pradesh

Gauri Shankar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Dashal Village in Kullu Tehsil in Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is believed to be built in 11^th century CE. The temple is situated on the banks of Beas river.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west and built over a raised platform. The temple is about 11.5 metres tall and is one of the largest monuments in the valley. The temple consists of sanctum and an entrance porch. The roof of the entrance porch is supported by two fluted columns. The sanctum is square and pancharatha in plan. The sanctum is triangabada in elevation and has bhadra, pratiratha and karna projection.

The doorjamb has five bands of decoration with floral motifs. An image of Ganesha can be seen on the lalata bimba flanked by Navagrahas. The lower portion of the doorjamb has carvings of river goddess Ganga & Yamuna and dvarapalas on either sides. The sanctum enshrines the Linga within a circular yonipitha. Sculptures of Vishnu, Lakshmi Narayan and Kartikeya can be found in the sanctum.

The shikara is of nine tiers and decorated with ardha ratna motifs and ornamentations. The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style architecture. The shikara is crowned with an amalaka at its top. The exterior walls of the sanctum has three niches, but the sculptures housed in the niches are missing currently.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 5 Kms from Naggar, 17 Kms from Manali, 17 Kms from Manali Bus Stand, 28 Kms from Kullu, 37 Kms from Kullu Manali Airport, 41 Kms from Bajaura, 110 Kms from Mandi and 234 Kms from Shimla. The temple is situated close to Naggar on Kullu to Manali route.

Location

Gauri Shankar Temple, Jagatsukh, Himachal Pradesh

Gauri Shankar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Jagatsukh Village in Manali Tehsil in Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Temple is situated on the left bank of the Beas river. The Temple is located close to the famous Gayatri Temple of Jagatsukh.

History

The temple is believed to be built in the 8^th century CE. It is one of the protected monuments under the control Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west. The Temple consists of sanctum and an entrance porch. The roof of the entrance arch is supported by two fluted columns. The sanctum is square and triratha in plan. The doorjamb has three bands of decoration with floral motifs. An image of Ganesha can be seen on the lalata bimba. The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style architecture. The shikara is crowned with an amalaka at its top.

It has two elaborate sukanasa of two stages adorned with images of Lakulisa in Padmasana with folded hands and bust of Mahesvara. The corner walls are composed of square pilasters embellished with ghatapallava motifs at the base as well as at the capitals. The bhadra niches on the exterior walls of the sanctum enshrines the images of Vishnu on the south, Surya on the east and Brahma on the north.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 250 metres from Jagatsukh Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Manali, 7.5 Kms from Manali, 37 Kms from Kullu, 46 Kms from Kullu Manali Airport, 139 Kms from Joginder Nagar Railway Station and 232 Kms from Shimla. The temple is situated on Kullu to Manali route.

Location

Shiva Temple, Payar, Jammu and Kashmir

Payar Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kakapora Payar village near Pulwama City in Pulwama District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The temple was identified as Narendrasvami temple, built by Narendraditya (483 – 490 CE) by General Cunningham was incorrect. The temple is believed to be built in 11^th century CE based on its architectural style.

The Temple

The temple is 8 sq. feet internally and is about 21 feet tall including the base. The temple is open on all sides but is reached only by a flight of steps on the eastern side. It houses a Shiva Linga in its sanctum. It consists of a double pyramidal roof with triangular pediments on all the four sides enclosing a trefoil arch. The other sculpted reliefs on the exterior include, geese, bulls and decorative bands.

Lakulisa can be seen in the eastern trefoil niche, six-armed Nataraja carrying trident & Khatanga, dancing to the tune of male drummer and female flute player can be seen in the western trefoil niche, three headed Lord Shiva accompanied by Aghora and Uma can be seen in the northern trefoil niche and Gaja Samhara Moorthy can be seen in the southern trefoil niche.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Pulwama, 5 Kms from Pulwama Main Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Awantipora Railway Station, 14 Kms from Awantipora, 23 Kms from Shopian, 30 Kms from Anantnag, 34 Kms from Srinagar, 34 Kms from Srinagar Airport and 244 Kms from Jammu. The temple is situated on Pulwama to Awantipora route.

Location

Mantalai Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

Mantalai Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Mantalai village near Patnitop hill resort in Udhampur District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The temple is situated on the banks of Mantalai Lake. This temple was built around 80 years ago. The temple is considered as the birth place of Mother Parvathy.

Legends

As per legend, it is believed that Goddess Parvathy was born in this place. It is also believed that the site where the Mantalai lake is located now was used as a Homa Kund for Parvati's marriage with Lord Shiva.

The Temple

The temple is situated at an elevation of 1450 meters from the mean sea level surrounded by deodar trees. The temple is situated on the banks of the Mantalai lake. Though, it is called as lake, it is actually a pond. The temple consists of sanctum only. Presiding deity is called as Aparneswar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Linga. It enshrines an idol of Parvati as Kanya and idols of Lord Shiva & Parvathy as a couple.

It also enshrines another set of idols of Lord Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha in a corner. Two idols of Nandi can be seen facing towards the shrine. A divine rock (pathar) related to the wedding of Parvati and Lord Shiva is also present in this temple. This temple offers great views of the mountain landscape in the surroundings.

Festivals

Chaudash, Purnima, Amavasya, Punya Jayeshth Purnima and Vyasa Purnima are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Sudh Mahadev Temple, 51 Kms from Patnitop, 57 Kms from Udhampur, 122 Kms from Jammu, 126 Kms from Jammu Airport and 209 Kms from Srinagar.

Location

Manasbal Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

Manasbal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Manasbal village in Ganderbal District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The temple is situated on the eastern bank of Manasbal Lake on the Jhelum Valley. It is partially submerged in the Manasbal Lake during the greater part of the year. It is stated to be a new pilgrimage attraction for pilgrims who visit the cave shrine at Amarnath and the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The temple was believed to be built in 9^th century CE by Avantivarman (Shankaravarman), founder of Utpala dynasty.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west. The temple is situated on the eastern bank of Manasbal Lake. The temple had been constructed in local grey stone. It is a submerged stone temple with unique double pyramidal roof with triangular pediment on the western side. The lower half of this temple was buried under earth. The cornice of the lower roof, and the horizontal band which divides it from the upper storey, are decorated with series of dentils and metopes.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Ganderbal, 29 Kms from Bandipora, 29 Kms from Srinagar, 29 Kms from Pattan Railway Station, 39 Kms from Srinagar Airport, 41 Kms from Srinagar Railway Station and 295 Kms from Jammu. The temple is situated on Ganderbal to Bandipora route.

Location

Mamleshwar Temple, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir

Mamleshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Pahalgam village in Anantnag District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Temple is situated on the banks of the glacial Kolahoi stream. Pahalgam is situated at an altitude of 2130 meter. Pahalgam offers spectacular views of the Himalayas.

Legends

As per legend, the spring in the courtyard is the same spring where Parvati bathed and had asked Lord Ganesha to safe guard the entrance. Lord Shiva was denied entry by little Ganesha which left him in fury. Shiva in anger decapitated Ganesha and later at the request of Parvati brought him back to life.

History

The temple was believed to be built during 400 AD. It is said that King Jayasimha (1128 – 1155 AD) have adorned the temple with a golden kalasa, or finial as per Rajatarangini.

The Temple

The Temple is situated on the banks of the glacial Kolahoi stream. The Temple consists of sanctum and frontal porch supported on two fluted columns. The Sanctum is 8' square internally. Presiding Deity is called as Mamleshwar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lingam might be of recent addition.

The temple was externally covered with a thick coat of lime plaster. There is a spring of remarkably pure water rises under the site of the temple. The waters from the spring are enclosed in a basin in front of the stairs. The Temple was originally surrounded by a rubble-stone wall, of which the foundations are still visible on the north side.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Pahalgam Bus Stand, 41 Kms from Anantnag, 45 Kms from Anantnag Railway Station, 91 Kms from Srinagar and 91 Kms from Sringar Airport. Pahalgam is well connected to Jammu and Srinagar via a good network of roads.

Location

Mahdera Temple, Basohli, Jammu and Kashmir

Mahdera Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Basholi town in Kathua District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is situated on the right bank of River Ravi at an altitude of 1876 ft. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The temple was constructed by Raja Bhupat Pal in 1635 CE. . The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Temple

The temple consists of sanctum and frontal porch. It has two offsets on each. The offset on the front side is lengthened into a porch. The Shikara is of usual type having circular medallions. The top is crowned by ribbed finials. The outer walls are plain at the top, partly moulded and ornamented at the base. The lower courses have the representatives of Vishnu riding on Garuda, human figures carrying bows and arrows floral scroll, etc.

The sanctum is square on plan and covered with circular ceiling of concentric circles. The right door jamb of the porch contains a figure of Ganga standing on a crocodile whereas the lintel is ornamental with a figures of Ganesha. There is small masonry pillar in front of the temple. A small idol of Nandi can be seen on the pillar.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Basohli Bus Stand, 51 Kms from Dalhousie, 58 Kms from Pathankot, 59 Kms from Pathankot Junction Railway Station, 63 Kms from Pathankot Airport, 149 Kms from Jammu and 332 Kms from Srinagar. The temple is situated on Dalhousie to Jammu route.

Location

Jagannath Temple, Ranchi, Jharkhand

Jagannath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Ranchi City in Ranchi District in the Jharkhand, India. The temple is situated on top of a small hillock. This temple is an exact replica of the famous Puri Jagannath Temple but in smaller size. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The temple was built by Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo, King of Barkagarh Jagannathpur principality, on December 25, 1691. The temple collapsed on 6 August 1990. The then Bihar government renovated the temple in 1992.

The Temple

This temple is similar to the famous Puri Jagannath Temple in architectural style. However, it is comparatively smaller in size than the Jagannath Temple of Puri. The temple is situated on top of a small hillock. The temple can be reached through a flight of stairs and motorable road. The temple is situated inside a fort like structure.

The temple consists of Rekha Vimana, Jagamohana and Nata Mandir. The Sanctum houses Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra. All the idols are made of neem wood. Idols of Hanuman and Garuda can be found in the temple premises. There are two large water tanks located within the temple complex.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 5.00 am to 12.00 noon and 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm.

Festivals

Rath Yatra during the Hindu month of Asadh, on Ashad Shukla Dwitiya is celebrated here with much fanfare. The annual fair called Jagannath Mela is held for a week during this month. Snan Yatra and Krishna Janmashtami are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 7 Kms from Ranchi Airport, 9 Kms from Ranchi Bus Stand and 10 Kms from Ranchi Junction Railway Station. The temple is situated on Jamshedpur to Daltonganj route.

Location

Shiva Temple, Khakhparta, Jharkhand

Khakhparta Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Khakhparta village near Lohardaga Town in Lohardaga District in the Jharkhand, India. This Temple is located at atop a small hill in the Khakhparta village. The temple is believed to have been constructed between 9^th and 10^thcentury CE. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and situated on the hill top. This temple is built directly on the surface of the hill without having any foundation. The temple is triratha on plan. The temple follows rekha deula style. The temple is about four metres tall. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity in the form of Shiva Linga. The shikara over the sanctum is crowned with an amlaka. Nandi can be found in front of the sanctum. Idols of Ganesha and Surya can be found in the temple premises.

Festivals

Shivrathri and Shravan month are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Lohardaga Railway Station, 8 Kms from Lohardaga Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Kuru, 33 Kms from Ghaghra, 73 Kms from Ranchi and 76 Kms from Ranchi Airport. The temple is situated on Kuru to Ghaghra route.

Location

Daksha Prajapati Temple, Banapur, Odisha

Daksha Prajapati Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Banapur Town in Khurda District in Odisha, India. The Temple is also called as Dakshesvara Temple. It is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle. The Temple is situated on the right side of Balugaon – Bhagavati Temple Road in Banapur town.

History

The Temple was believed to be built by Gangas during 13^th century CE. The Temple is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. The temple is situated in a compound surrounded by low walls. The temple consists of Rekha Vimana, Pidha Jagamohana, Pidha Nata Mandapa and flat roofed Bhoga Mandapa. Nata Mandapa and Bhoga Mandapa are built on a raised platform whereas the Deula and Jagamohana rise directly from the ground. The Vimana, Jagamohana and Nata Mandapa are Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation whereas the bhogamandapa is an open pillared Mandapa.

The Sanctum houses a Patalphuta Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. Ganesa, Kartikeya and Parvati are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls. The exterior of the vimana is decorated with pidha mundis, khakhara mundis, gaja vidalas, female figures, erotic sculptures and beautiful scroll work. The khakharamundi in lower jangha contains seated Dikpalas and the pidhamundi in the upper jangha carry their female counterparts in the kanika pagas.

The khakharamundi in the anuratha pagas at lower jangha depicts images of Vishnu, Sikhadana motif, nayikas, etc. The pidhamundi in upper jangha depicts images of Gajalakshmi, Ganesha, Yogapatta Narasimha, nayikas, etc. There are shrines for Budhima, Budha Linga and Mahavir in the temple premises. These shrines are added in the later period.

An idol of Hanuman can be seen in the right side of the temple compound. He is seen holding a Gada in right hand and hill in left hand. An Idol of Lokesvara in the compound is said to have brought from Achutarajpur village, a famous Buddhist site of the locality. There is an excavated well inside the temple premises. An idol of Goddess Ganga Devi in sitting posture can be found in the temple premises.

Festivals

Shivarathri, Sitalasasti and Sankranti are the festivals celebrated here.

Contact

Daksha Prajapati Temple,

Banapur Town,

Khurda District – 752 031

Phone: +91 674 255 8170

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Balugaon Railway Station, 6 Kms from Balugaon, 50 Kms from Ganjam, 81 Kms from Brahmapur, 101 Kms from Puri and 104 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport. The Temple is situated on the right side of Balugaon – Bhagavati Temple Road in Banapur town.

Location

Chausath Yogini Temple, Ranipur Jharial, Odisha

Chausath Yogini Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to 64 Yoginis located in Ranipur Jharial village in Balangir District in Odisha, India. It is one of the circular and open-air Yogini temples of India. It is situated on the right bank of the river Tong, a tributary of the river Tel, which itself is a tributary of the Mahanadi River. It is one of the two such temples in Odisha, the other one is at Hirapur in Khurda district.

History

The temple was believed to be built in 9^th century CE during Somavamsi rule. It was the first of the Yogini temples to be discovered; it was described by Major General John Campbell in 1853. It is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east and situated on an outcrop of rock. There was another entrance on the southern side apart from the eastern entrance, once, but now it is closed. The temple is circular on plan and hypaetheral in elevation. It is built of sand stone of the local variety. It has a circular wall which bends inward at 8 feet 6 inches height. The length of the outer circumference is 169 feet and 2 inches and inner circumference 145 feet 10 inches.

The exterior of the temple is devoid of any decoration. There is a four pillared shrine located in the middle of the enclosure. It houses an image of Lord Nataraja, Lord of dance. He is three-faced and eight-armed and is depicted with Urdhva Linga. Ganesha and his mount Nandi can be seen at the base of the image. An idol of goddess Chamunda might have been housed along with Lord Shiva in the central shrine.

The interior walls would have had around 64 niches but only 62 niches can be found presently. There might be two niches on both sides of the southern entrance. The size of each niche is 1’ 6” x 3’ 2”. Out of the 64 niches, 48 niches houses well preserved images and the balance niches either houses broken images or empty. The Yogini idols are made of a low-quality coarse sandstone similar to the temple walls.

Among the existing 48 yogini idols, 28 are two armed figures and 20 are four armed figures. 14 of the Yoginis are animal-headed; among them can be seen goddesses with the heads of a cat, an elephant, a snake, a horse, a buffalo, an antelope, and seemingly also of a leopard and a sow. The leopard-headed goddess is holding up a human corpse, suggestive of the corpse rituals (shava sadhana) of the Yogini cult.

The absence of haloes or attendant figures as at later Yogini temples suggests that this temple was built relatively early. All the yoginis are seemed to be alike wearing conical crown. Uniquely, all the Yogini images are depicted poised about to dance, in the Karana pose of Indian classical dance. Like the Hirapur temple, but unlike other Yogini temples, there are no Matrikas, mother goddesses, among the Yoginis.

The 19th century archaeologist Alexander Cunningham described two further Yogini images. One, uniquely, had the attributes of the Sun-god, Surya; she had two arms, a lotus flower in each hand, and seven horses. The other (now surviving only from the knees down) was dancing on a reclining male; she had 6 or 8 arms and was depicted pulling her mouth open wide; she held a skull-cup, a kettle-drum, and a sword.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Bangomunda, 26 Kms from Kantabanji, 28 Kms from Kantabanji Railway Station, 32 Kms from Titlagarh, 40 Kms from Titlagarh Junction Railway Station, 62 Kms from Bhawanipatna, 92 Kms from Balangir and 212 Kms from Raipur Airport. The Temple is located at about 8 Kms from Ganrei on the Kantabanji - Titlagarh route.

Location

Sun Temple, Madhkhera, Madhya Pradesh

Sun Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Surya located at Madhkhera village in Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This temple was built by the Pratihara rulers in the 9^th century A.D. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and Pancharatha on plan. It is built over a raised platform. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Mukha Mandapa. The Mukha Mandapa is supported by two pillars and two pilasters. The lintel of the sanctum doorway has an image of Lord Surya riding a chariot drawn by seven horses flanked by Saptamatrikas with Ganesha & Veerabhadra and Navagrahas. River Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna can be seen on the lower portion of the doorjamb.

The Sanctum houses an image of Lord Surya standing in the chariot drawn by seven horses flanked by his consorts Usha and Pratyusha. Aruna is depicted driving the chariot. Two flying Vidyadharas can be seen on either side of Surya. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style architecture. Ashta Dikpalas can be seen in their usual position over the karna niches.

Images of Surya can be seen on all the three bhadra niches on south, west and north side. The niches on adhisthana below the bhadra has Ganesha on south, Kartikeya on west and Parvathi on north. The exterior of the temple are richly sculpted with images of Vamana, Balarama, Parashurama, Krishna, Buddha, Narasimha, Varaha, Durga, Sitala, Sapta Matrikas, Surasundaris and Gaja Lakshmi.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 16 Kms from Tikamgarh Railway Station, 18 Kms from Tikamgarh, 19 Kms from Tikamgarh Bus Stand, 47 Kms from Lalitpur, 93 Kms from Jhansi, 148 Kms from Khajuraho Airport and 298 Kms from Bhopal. The temple is situated on Tikamgarh to Jhansi Route.

Location

Nohleshwar Temple, Nohta, Madhya Pradesh

Nohleshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Nohta Village in Jabera Tehsil in Damoh District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated at the confluence of Goraya and Wyarma River. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The temple was built by Nohla Devi, Queen of Kalachuri King Yuvaraja Deva I, in 10^th century CE.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west and built over a raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, ranga mandapa and mukha mandapa. The lower portion of the rangamandapa has eight large projecting niches housing images of various goddesses including Gajalakshmi. The sanctum is pancharatha on plan. The doorways of the ranga mandapa and sanctum are ornate and similar in design.

The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Nohleshwar, in the form of Shiva Linga. The bhadra niches has images of Nataraja on the south, Andhakantaka on the east and Vinadhara on the north. The exterior of the sanctum is decorated with various forms of Lord Shiva, various deities from Hindu pantheon, sura sundaris, mithunas, dikpalas, vyalas and depiction of social lives.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Nohta Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Jabera, 24 Kms from Damoh, 25 Kms from Damoh Bus Stand, 25 Kms from Damoh Railway Station, 86 Kms from Jabalpur, 94 Kms from Jabalpur Airport and 272 Kms from Bhopal. The Temple is situated on Damoh to Jabalpur route.

Location

Mahadeva Temple, Padhawali, Madhya Pradesh

Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Padhawali Village in Morena Tehsil in Morena District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated close to the famous Bateshwar Group of Temples. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The Temple is believed to be built in 10^th century CE by the Kacchapaghata rulers. This fortress housing the temple was constructed by the Jat Ranas of Dholpur in the 18^th century CE.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east and located inside the fortress. The temple consists of mukha mandapa and ranga mandapa. The sanctum of the temple has not survived. The mukha mandapa is supported by two pillars. The ranga mandapa is supported by 24 pillars. Out of the 24 pillars, 16 pillars are half pillars resting on the parapet wall running around the mandapa. The parapet wall has seating arrangement on the inside. The central portion of the mandapa is supported by 8 pillars. The temple is profusely decorated on it pillars, beams, architraves and ceiling.

The beams on the four cardinal directions has rich carvings of Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in old age and birth of Lord Krishna on the north side, Chamunda, Lord Rama & his Vanara army performing pooja to Shiva Linga before his battle with Ravana on the east side, Lord Shiva & Parvathy with Nandi, killing of Abhimanyu during Mahabharata war on the south side and Lord Surya & Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu on the west side.

The Fortress:

The fortress is oblong in structure. The fortress can be accessed through flight of steps flanked by two lions. The lions are replicas of original lions. The original lions are kept in Gwalior Fort museum. The two massive bastions in the front gives a majestic appearance to the fortress. It consists of two different parts, upper courtyard and lower courtyard. The upper courtyard has the Shiva temple while the lower courtyard has a step well. The eastern wall of the courtyard has two storied modern cells. It might have housed the military hardware’s of 18^th century CE.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 16 Kms from Nurabad, 26 Kms from Gwalior Airport, 27 Kms from Morena Railway Station, 28 Kms from Gwalior Bus Stand, 29 Kms from Morena, 29 Kms from Morena Bus Stand, 32 Kms from Gwalior and 34 Kms from Gwalior Railway Station. The temple is situated at about 16 Kms from Nurabad off the Morena to Gwalior route.

Location

Sureswari Temple, Sonepur, Odisha

Sureswari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi, located in Sonepur Town in Subarnapur District in Odisha State, India. This Temple is considered as one of the oldest Shakti shrines in Odisha. This Temple is situated at the left bank of Tel River towards the south west of the confluence of Mahanadi and Tel River.

Legends

As per legend, Sage Parasurama performed a Yagna here on request of his mother. Further, he established the Sureswari temple and it is regarded as Renuka Pitha. There is an ancient sacrificial altar called Khaulagada in the temple, believed to be of Lord Parashurama.

History

The temple was built by the Chauhan ruler, Achal Singh Deo in 17^th century CE. Devi Sureswari was considered as the presiding deity of the fort of Chauhan ruler Achal Singh Deo. The temple was later renovated by King Biramitra Singh Deo. The temple is under the control of Endowment Department, Government of Odisha.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards north, but the main entrance is facing towards east. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and a pidha jagamohana. The vimana is square on plan whereas the jagamohana is rectangular on plan. The vimana is Pancharatha on plan. The sanctum houses an idol of eight armed Mahishasura Mardini. She is famously called as Sureswari in the region. Idols of ten-armed dancing Durga, four-armed Devi sitting in lalitasana and eight-armed Ganesha can be seen in the Parsvadevta niches.

Sculptures of Bhairava, Tara, Narasimha, Parvati, Chamunda, Ganesha, Kartikeya, upper part of a Bhairava, female deity and a seated male figure can be seen in the temple premises. There is a Khaulagada, a sacrificial altar, believed to be of Sage Parasurama can be seen in the temple premises. Seven Ponds can be found near to the Sureswari temple. It is said that these ponds were the remnants of fort of the Kalachuri rulers.

Festivals

Bali Jatra is one of the greatest festival of this temple. It is celebrated from the Aswina Amabasya to Purnima for fifteen days. Dussehra and Basanti Puja are the other festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Sonepur Bus Stand, 49 Kms from Boudh, 51 Kms from Balangir, 52 Kms from Balangir Railway Station, 81 Kms from Sambalpur, 114 Kms from Jharsuguda Airport and 268 Kms from Bhubaneshwar. The temple is situated in Sonepur town on Boudh to Balangir route.

Location

Trilochanesvara Temple, Jajpur – The Temple Complex

The temple is facing towards west. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and a pidha jagamohana of Kalingan order. The temple is Pancharatha on plan. Both the vimana and jagamohana are square on plan and stands over a low platform. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Trilochanesvara in the form of Ekamukha Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha.

The exterior wall of the vimana is embellished with decorative motifs, Linga puja, fighting scenes, mithuna, maithuna images, lion and semi divinities. Sculptures of Uma Mahesvara, Hanuman, Kartikeya, Ganesa, Parvati, Bikshadana, Ravananugraha Moorthy, a musician, mithunas, a horse, milching of a cow, etc. can be seen on the bada.

Budha Linga Temple:

The temple is situated on the north west corner of the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built by Gangas in 14^th century CE. The presiding deity and the sculptures fixed in the temple wall can be dated to the 14^th century CE. Choudhury Raisaheb Narasingha Charan Mohapatra, the zamindar of Jajpur, rebuilt the present temple in 1942.

This temple is facing towards west. The temple has a pidha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order. The vimana is square on plan. The sanctum houses presiding deity in the form of Shiva Linga within a square yonipitha. Mahishasura Mardini, Bharabahaka, royal procession, erotic figure and makaramukha can be seen on the external walls of the temple.

Kali Temple:

The temple is situated in front of the Trilochanesvara temple within the temple complex. The temple might have been built by Bhaumakaras in 8^th century CE. The original temple is completely lost due to nature’s fury and Islamic invasions except the presiding deity. The current temple is recent construction. This temple is facing towards north.

The temple consists of a pidha vimana and an open RCC mandapa. The vimana is square on plan whereas the RCC mandapa is rectangular on plan. The sanctum houses an idol of eighteen armed Chamunda. Idols of Chamunda in sitting posture can be seen on the front wall of the sanctum on either sides. The left image is four armed while the right image is eight armed.

Champesvara Temple:

The temple is situated on the southwestern corner of the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built in 18^th century CE during Maratha rule. The temple is facing towards east. The temple has a pidha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order. The vimana is square on plan. The temple is buried up to the bada portion, only the entrance portion is opened to access into the sanctum. The Sanctum houses Champesvara in the form of Shiva Linga within a square yonipitha.

Chaturmukha Shiva Linga Temple:

The temple is situated in front of the Trilochanesvara temple within the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built in 11^th century CE by Somavamsis. This temple is facing towards west. The temple is triratha on plan and triangabada in elevation. It consists of a square vimana only. It is a dilapidated temple that exists only up to the bada, enshrining a Chathur Mukha Shiva Linga in the sanctum. The doorjamb is decorated with scroll work, kirtimukha design and dvarapala at the base. A ten-armed Mahishasura Mardini can be seen in the northern Parsvadevta niche.

Svamisvara Mahadeva Temple:

The temple is situated at about 100 metres to the west of the Trilochanesvara temple within the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built in 18^th century CE by Marathas. This temple is facing towards east. The temple has a pidha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order. The vimana is square on plan. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Svamisvara Mahadeva in the form of Shiva Linga within a square yonipitha. An image of four armed Parvathi and a latticed design window on the southern wall can be seen on the exterior walls.

Someswara Temple:

The temple is located at about 150 metres from the Trilochanesvara temple complex. The original temple might have been built by Bhaumakaras in 8^th century CE. The present temple was built over the original structure by the local zamindar Raisaheb Choudhury Narasimha Charana Mohapatra in 1942. This temple is facing towards east. It has a rekha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order. The vimana is square on plan.

The temple is triratha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Somesvara in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. Ganesha, Parvati and Uma Mahesvara are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls. An image of ten armed Mahishasura Mardhini can be seen in the rear wall. Images of Surya, Parvati, Lakulisa, Shiva Lingas, architectural members and Buddhist can be seen in the temple premises.

Trilochanesvara Temple, Jajpur, Odisha

Trilochanesvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Jajpur Town in Jajpur District in Odisha State, India. The temple is situated on the right bank of the dried stream Hamsa Rekha and located on the left side of Jajpur - Binjharpur road.

History

The temple is believed to be built by Ganga ruler Narasimhadeva IV in 14^th century CE. The temple is under the care of Archaeological Survey of India and Trilochanesvara Temple Trust Board.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/trilochanesvara-temple-jajpur-temple-complex.html

Festivals

Shivarathri, Kartika Purnima and Dola Purnima are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Jajpur Bus Stand, 33 Kms from Jajpur Keonjhar Road Railway Station, 82 Kms from Cuttack, 104 Kms from Bhubaneshwar and 108 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport. Jajpur is well connected to Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar. Regular Buses are available from Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar to Jajpur Town.

Location

Uttaresvara Temple, Agrahata, Odisha

Uttaresvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Agrahata Village near Chaudwar Town in Cuttack District in Odisha State, India. The Temple is considered as one among the Astasambhus of Chaudwar Kataka. It is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle.

History

The Temple was built in 11^th century CE by the King Udyota Kesari (Mahabhavagupta IV) of Somavamsi Dynasty. It is said that the temple was named after her daughter, Uttara.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of rekha vimana and pidha jagamohana. A large stucco Nandi can be seen facing towards the sanctum. The vimana is square in plan. Both the vimana and jagamohana are pancharatha on plan and panchangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Uttaresvara, in the form of Patalphuta Linga within a circular yonipitha. The sanctum is situated 5 feet below the entrance level.

The exterior walls are decorated with khakharamundis, pidhamundis and rekhamundis. Udyotasimha is present only in the western raha. Traces of dikpalas and their consorts are also found. There are niches around the sanctum housing idols. Idols of Ganesha, Parvati, Uma Maheswara, Narasimha, Surya, Bhootha Ganas, Simha and architectural fragments can be seen in the temple premises. There is a temple tank situated on the southern side of the temple.

Festivals

Shivarathri, Kartika Purnima and Sankranti are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from OTM Chowk Bus Stop, 6 Kms from Chaudwar Railway Station, 14 Kms from Cuttack Junction Railway Station, 15 Kms from Cuttack, 40 Kms from Bhubaneshwar and 44 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport. The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from OTM Chowk Bus Stop in Chaudwar on Cuttack – Sambalpur highway (NH – 55).

Location

Varahi Temple, Chaurasi – The Temple

The temple is facing towards east and covers an area of about 2 acres. The temple is pancharatha in plan and triangabada in elevation. The temple consists of khakhara vimana and jagamohana. The jagamohana has a terraced roof in two stages separated by a clerestory similar to the Parasurameswara Temple. It is oblong in shape and triratha in plan. The style is unique as it belongs to early Kalingan architecture style.

The entrance to the jagamohana is flanked with two massive serpent pillars on either side. The vimana is rectangular on plan. The sanctum doorway has three bands decorated with different scrolls. Female dvarapalas can be seen at the lower portion of the doorjambs. Both of them are two armed and have pot belly. Both holds kapala in one hand.

One dvarapala holds a noose and another holds a mace in the other hand. Naga figures holding garlands can be seen next to the female dvarapalas. Gaja Lakshmi is present over the lintel. The sanctum enshrines an image of Varahi. She is locally called as Matsya Varahi. She is about 6 feet tall. She is depicted as a goddess with the face of a boar. She has a big belly representing holding the universe inside her womb.

She is two armed and shown seated in lalitasana on a pedestal. She holds a fish in her right hand and a kapala in her left hand. She has kept her right foot on the buffalo mount carved on the pedestal. She is represented with a third eye on her forehead which is not clearly visible at present. Her hair is decorated in the form of spiral coils. Two Vidyadharas can be seen each on either side on the back slab.

Varahi is worshipped in accordance with the tantric rituals. Goddess Varahi is offered fish every day. There are two more images of Varahi apart from the presiding deity in the sanctum. These two images are smaller in size and kept in the Jagamohana. Both of them are shown seated in ardhaparyanka mudra. The image in the right niche is two-armed holding fish in her right hand and a kapala in her left hand. Nara Vahana is carved on the pedestal.

The image in the left niche is four-armed holding kapala in the lower left hand, rosary in upper left hand, showing varada mudra in her lower right hand and fish in upper right hand. The exterior walls of both the vimana and jagamohana are profusely decorated with the puranic stories, Ramayana, gods & goddesses from Hindu pantheon, maithuna, mithuna, apsaras, social life, floral and geometrical motifs.

Varahi Temple, Chaurasi, Odisha

Varahi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Varahi, located in Chaurasi Village in Puri District in Odisha State, India. The temple is situated on the right bank of the river Prachi. The Varahi temple is considered as one of few khakhara temples found in Odisha. The Vaital Temple and Gauri Temple in Bhubaneswar are considered as the notable examples of khakhara temples.

History

This temple was built in the first quarter of 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/varahi-temple-chaurasi-temple.html

Festivals

A fair in the month of Chaitra and Vijaya Dashami are the famous festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Charichak, 13 Kms from Kakatpur, 15 Kms from Nimapada, 27 Kms from Konark, 47 Kms from Puri, 48 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport, 49 Kms from Khurda Road Junction Railway Station and 53 Kms from Bhubaneshwar. Chaurasi is situated between Nimapada – Kakatpur road.

Location

Gandhi Garabadu Vishnu Temple, Bhubaneswar – Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 100 meters from Lingaraj Temple, 600 meters from Garage Square Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Lingaraj Temple Road Railway Station, 4.5 Kms from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, 8 Kms from Baramunda Bus Stand, 19 Kms from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station, 4 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport, 31 Kms from Cuttack and 54 Kms from Puri. The Temple is situated at about 100 m from eastern gateway of Lingaraj Temple. It is on the left side of the temple road leading from Lingaraja to Garej Chowk, Bhubaneswar, within the precinct of Gandhi Garabadu which is now under the Lingaraja Temple Administration. Bhubaneswar is well connected to rest of India by Train, Air and Land.

By Road:

Bhubaneswar is connected to the rest of Odisha and India by National Highway-NH 16, NH 203, State Highway 13 (Odisha) and State Highway 27 (Odisha). Asian Highway – AH 45 passes through the city. Baramunda Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is the major bus terminus in the city from where buses ply to all the districts in Odisha as well as to neighbouring state's cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Raipur and Ranchi. City bus service (Mo Bus) runs across Bhubaneswar by Capital Region Urban Transport Authority run by Bhubaneswar Development Authority.

Nowadays popular online cab or auto transport system provided by Jugnoo, Ola, uber are widely used. Auto rickshaws are available for hire and on a share basis throughout the city. In parts of the city, cycle rickshaws offer short trips. Also, CRUT recently has launched Mo Cycle, a public bicycle Sharing platform to curb traffic, reducing pollution in city and providing last mile connectivity in city.

By Train:

Bhubaneswar railway station is one of the main stations of the Indian railway network. It is connected to major cities by daily express and passenger trains and daily service to all metro cities is available from here.

By Air:

Biju Patnaik International Airport, also known as Bhubaneswar Airport, located to the south of the city Centre, is the major and sole international airport in Odisha. There are daily domestic flights from Bhubaneswar to Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai and Bangalore. There are international flights from Bhubaneswar to Bangkok, Dubai and Kualalumpur thrice a week.

Gandhi Garabadu Vishnu Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Gandhi Garabadu Vishnu Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India. The temple is situated in the Gandhi Garabadu precinct. The temple can be approached on the right side of the Lingaraj temple Road in the Old Town of Bhubaneswar.

History

The Temple was built in 12th century CE by Eastern Gangas. The temple was renovated by the Odisha State Archaeology during X & XI Finance Commission Award. Locals believe that the temple was built by Somavamsis.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west. The temple consists of rekha vimana and an entrance porch. The temple is pancharatha on plan and panchangabada in elevation. The sanctum is square in plan and the presiding deity is missing. The kalasa on top of the amalaka is missing. The sculptures on the exterior walls and the dvarapalas in the doorjamb indicates that the temple was originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The exterior walls is decorated with dikpalas, salabhanjika, geometrical and floral motifs. Most of the carvings of the exterior walls are heavily weathered. A broken amalaka and an Udyota Simha can be seen in front of the entrance of the temple.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/gandhi-garabadu-vishnu-temple-bhubaneswar-connectivity.html

Location

Siddha Ganesa Temple, Jajpur, Odisha

Siddha Ganesa Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, located in Jajpur Town in Jajpur District in Odisha State, India. This Temple is also called as Budha Ganesha Temple. He is represented in his old age form in this temple. The temple is located on the right bank of the river Vaitarani at Dasasvamedhaghata of Baitarani River and in between the northern compound wall of Jagannatha temple complex and Saptamatrika shrine.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 11^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple was renovated during the Maratha rule in Odisha. The temple is currently under the control of Endowment Department, Government of Odisha.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards north. The temple is Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation. The temple consists of rekha vimana and pidha jagamohana. The sanctum houses a colossal image of Lord Ganesha in sitting posture. He is four armed. The jagamohana houses idols of Shiva Lingas, Vishnu, Yama, Ravana, Jain Tirthankara Shantinatha, Mahishasura Mardini, Bala Krishna and Uma Mahesvara.

Festivals

Ganesh Chaturthi is the most popular festival here.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Jajpur Bus Stand, 30 Kms from Jajpur Keonjhar Road Railway Station, 80 Kms from Cuttack, 103 Kms from Bhubaneshwar and 106 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport. Jajpur is well connected to Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar. Regular Buses are available from Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar to Jajpur Town.

Location

Kalachuri Temple Complex, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh

Kalachuri Temple Complex is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu located in Amarkantak, a pilgrimage town in Anuppur District in Madhya Pradesh State of India. The Temple Complex consists of six temples and a Kund. Amarkantak is situated at an altitude of 1000 m. The region is a unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of the Vindhya and the Satpura Ranges, with the Maikal Hills being the fulcrum. It is the origin place for Narmada River, Son River and Johila River. Amarkantak is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage center popularly known as Teertharaj (King of pilgrimages).

The Temple Complex

The Temple Complex consists of six temples and a Kund. Karna Temple, Keshava Narayan Temple, Machendranatha Temple and Pataleshwar Temple were built by Kalachuris of Tripuris while the Panch Math and Johila Temple were of later period.

Karna Temple:

Karna Temple (Karna Math) is famously known as Trimukhi Temple. It is considered as the largest and the most prominent temple in the Kalachuri Temple complex. The Temple was built by King Lakshmikarna (1041–1073 CE) of Kalachuri Dynasty of Tripuri. The Temple consists of three shrines and are built over a raised platform. The temple can be accessed through flight of steps.

These three temples might have shared a common mandapa in the past. However, the mandapa was lost completely. The bases of the pillars once supported the mandapa can be seen over the platform. All these shrines connected to the mandapa via vestibule. The vestibule and the shikara of the western and northern shrines are intact while the southern shrine is completely lost. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style.

Keshava Narayan Temple:

This Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and consists of two shrines connected to a common mandapa via vestibule. Both the shrines are situated perpendicular to each other. One shrine is facing towards east while the other shrine is facing towards north. The sanctum is currently empty. The shikara over the sanctums follows Nagara style. There are niches on the three sides of the sanctum however all are empty.

Machendranatha Temple:

The temple is believed to be built in 11^th century CE by Kalachuri Kings. This Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and consists of sanctum, vestibule and mandapa. The mandapa is supported on pillars and is covered with parapet walls on either side. The roof of the mandapa is damaged now. The vestibule has a superstructure called sukhanasi.

It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. An image of lion can be seen on top of the sukhanasi. The Sanctum is pancharatha on plan. An image of Ganesha can be seen on the lintel of the sanctum door. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style. The shikara is crowned with two amalakas and a kalasha.

Pataleshwar Temple:

This Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and consists of sanctum, vestibule and mandapa. It is said that Adi Sankaracharya installed Shiva Linga in this temple during his visit in the eight century CE. However, the temple was built by King Lakshmikarna (1041–1073 CE) of Kalachuri Dynasty of Tripuri.

The superstructure over the mandapa is of pyramidal shape. The vestibule has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The sanctum is pancharatha on plan. The floor of the sanctum is 1.4 meter below when compared to the floor of the mandapa. Hence, the temple came to be called as Pataleshwar Temple.

Panch Math:

Panch Math is a group of five temples constructed in different architectural styles. These temples were built by Gond rulers in 15^th century CE. All these temples are constructed over a low raised platform.

Johila Temple:

This temple is considered as the latest temple in this complex. The temple is believed to be built by a local chief. The temple is built on a raised platform. The shikara follows a pyramidal style adorned by side transepts on all the sides.

Suraj Kund:

Suraj Kund is believed to have been excavated by Adi Shankaracharya. It is considered to be the origin of River Narmada. The Kund was later renovated by King Lakshmikarna (1041–1073 CE) of Kalachuri Dynasty of Tripuri.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Amarkantak Bus Stand, 34 Kms from Pendra Road Railway Station, 70 Kms from Anuppur Junction Railway Station, 118 Kms from Bilaspur, 130 Kms from Bilaspur Airport, 224 Kms from Jabalpur and 232 Kms from Jabalpur Airport. The Temple is well connected to Rewa, Shahdol, Anuppur, Jabalpur, Katni and Pendra by buses.

Location

Ashta Kali Temple, Asta, Madhya Pradesh

Ashta Kali Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali located at Asta Village in Barghat Tehsil in Seoni District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Legends

As per legend, the temple was believed to be built in single night due to the blessing of Goddess Durga. As the locals noticed the temple construction, the construction work stopped, and the temple remained incomplete. The architectural fragments scattered around the temple even today.

History

This temple was built in 13^th century by King Mahadeva of Yadava Dynasty of Devagiri. The Yadava Kings built around eight temples in this place. Hence, the place came to be called as Ashta (Eight).

The Temple

The temple complex has two temples and a mandapa at present. The temples are built in Hemadpanti architectural style. The main temple consists of sanctum, vestibule, sabha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The sabha mandapa and mukha mandapa were completely lost except the foundation. The sanctum and vestibule remains intact. The vestibule has a superstructure called sukhanasi.

It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The sanctum is empty now. An image of ten-armed Goddess Kali in the southern niche of the sanctum is considered as the presiding deity currently. The temple is also named after her. The shikara of the temple is crowned with an amalaka. The other temple consists of sanctum and entrance porch. It enshrines a Shiva Linga in its sanctum.

Festivals

A fair is organized here during Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 18 Kms from Barghat, 18 Kms from Barghat Bus Stand, 39 Kms from Seoni, 70 Kms from Balaghat, 147 Kms from Nagpur, 155 Kms from Nagpur Airport, 179 Kms from Jabalpur and 389 Kms from Bhopal. The temple is situated at about 18 Kms from Barghat off the Seoni to Balaghat route.

Location

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Nirthadi, Karnataka

Ranganathaswamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Nirthadi Village in Davanagere Taluk in Davanagere District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The monument is protected by the Karnataka state division of Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The original temple was destroyed by the armies of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1696 CE as per a Kannada inscription dated to 1698 CE in the temple premises. The Chitradurga chief Baramappa Nayaka (1689 – 1721 CE) rebuilt the temple in 1698 CE.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with a Mahadvara. Stone Dhwaja Sthamba can be seen before the Mahadvara. Shrine of Garuda and Deepa Sthamba can be seen immediately after the Mahadvara, facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Navaranga and Mukha Mandapa. The Mukha Mandapa is provided with entrance porch on northern and southern side.

There is a separate small archway with intricate carvings in front of the Mukha Mandapa. The pillars of the Mukha Mandapa is carved with sculptures of warriors riding the horses. The pillars of the navaranga is carved with various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The sanctum houses the black stone image of Kesava in standing posture. The base of the sanctum is carved with friezes of elephant, horses, royal processions and dancers. The shikara over the sanctum is of three tiers.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 16 Kms from Kodaganur Railway Station, 34 Kms from Davanagere Railway Station, 34 Kms from Chitradurga Railway Station, 35 Kms from Davanagere, 35 Kms from Chitradurga, 237 Kms from Bengaluru and 255 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. The temple is situated on Davanagere to Chitradurga route.

Location

Sadasiva Temple, Nuggehalli, Karnataka

Sadasiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Nuggehalli Village in Channarayapatna Taluk in Hassan District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple was built in 1249 CE by Bommanna Dandanayaka, commander of King Vira Someshwara of Hoysala Dynasty. Nuggehalli was earlier called as Vijaya Somanathapura, an agrahara founded by Bommanna Dandanayaka.

The Temple

This temple is a fine example of Hoysala nagara style of architecture with Bhumija type superstructure. The temple is constructed in ekakuta chala style. This temple is facing towards east and built over raised platform (jagati). The temple is stellate on plan. The original structure consisted of sanctum, sukanasi, navaranga with porches and nandi mandapa.

The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Sadashiva, in the form of Shiva Linga. Nandi can be seen in a closed hall with walls that have perforated stone windows. The temple also has a unique life-size standing image of the goddess Parvati (consort of Lord Shiva). Navagrahas are found facing each other in this temple, which is a unique feature nowhere to be seen.

There are two images of the Lord Ganesha, one outside the sanctum and the other at the entrance to the shrine housing the goddess Parvati. Images of Chamundeshwari, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Kala Bhairava, various forms of Parvati and Surya Narayana can be found in the navaranga. A big hall and Mahadvara were added towards south during Vijayanagara period.

The temple also has a unique life-size standing image of the goddess Parvati (consort of Shiva). In the common hall are the intricately carved images of goddess Chamundeshwari, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Kala Bhairava, a set of images depicting the different incarnations of Parvati, and Surya Narayana. The exterior walls of the temple is devoid of decorations.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Nuggehalli Bus Stand, 20 Kms from Channarayapatna, 20 Kms from Channarayapatna Railway Station, 32 Kms from Tiptur, 48 Kms from Hassan, 105 Kms from Mysuru, 142 Kms from Bengaluru and 161 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. The temple is situated on the Tiptur – Channarayapatna Road.

Location

Shiva Temple, Narayanapur, Karnataka

Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Narayanpur Village near Basavakalyan City in Basavakalyan Taluk in Bidar District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple was built in 12^thcentury CE by Western Chalukyas. The village was called as Tribhuvana Tilaka Shri Rama Narayanapura, Raya Narayanapura and Viranarayanapura during ancient times.

The Temple

The temple is constructed in trikutachala style, consisting of three shrines. This temple is similar to Kalmeshwar temple of Jalasangvi in architectural style. The temple consists sanctum, vestibule, maha mandapa and an entrance porch. Two broken makara torana is kept on either side at the entrance of the temple. The ceiling of the maha mandapa contains intricate floral designs. The maha mandapa is supported by 8 pillars. A new concrete roof had been built to avoid seepage into the temple.

The sanctum doorway is intricately carved. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity in the form of Shiva Linga. The exterior walls of the temple is decorated with beautiful sculptures of Salabhanjika. A new concrete roof had been built to avoid seepage into the temple. There is a Kannada inscription slab, hero stone and various sculptures at the entrance of the temple.

There are lot of detached sculptures present in the temple premises. Some of the noted sculptures are an elephant uprooting a tree, Salabhanjikas, warrior, four armed Vinayaga with his mount Mushika and various god & goddesses of Hindu pantheon. Some of the sculptures were studded to the newly built wall. There is a modern Navagraha shrine in the temple premises. There is a well situated near the temple. A dilapidated ancient temple can be seen next to this well.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Basavakalyan, 4 Kms from Basavakalyan Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Mudbi, 27 Kms from Humnabad Railway Station, 70 Kms from Bidar, 75 Kms from Gulbarga and 202 Kms from Hyderabad Airport. The Temple is situated on Basavakalyan to Mudbi route.

Location

Someshwara Temple, Agara, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Someshwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Agara in Bengaluru South Taluk in Bengaluru Urban District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is considered as one of the ancient Chola era temples situated in the urban landscape of Bengaluru. The Temple is protected by the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to be built by Imperial Cholas in 11^th century CE.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. Nandi, Balipeedam and stone Dhwaja Sthamba can be found facing the sanctum. The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa and maha mandapa. Presiding deity is called as Someshvara and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Linga. It is said that the ghee applied to the Linga turns into butter after abhishekam.

There is a separate east facing shrine for Parvathy can be seen in the temple premises. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. There is a newly built east facing shrine for Lord Ayyappa can be seen in the temple premises. Few hero stones can also be seen in the temple complex.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 200 meters to Agara Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Madiwala, 13 Kms from Bengaluru Railway Station, 14 Kms from Bengaluru Majestic Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Sarjapura and 51 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. The Temple is situated on Outer Ring Road, near Koramangala and HSR Layout on Madiwala to Sarjapura route.

Location

Chennakeshava Temple, Turuvekere, Karnataka

Chennakeshava Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Turuvekere Town in the Turuvekere Taluk of Tumkur district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. Turuvekere is a temple town housing Hoysala era temples and Vijayanagara temples.

History

Turuvekere was an Agraharam town (a place of learning) in the 13^th century CE. The temple was built around 1263 CE during the rule of the King Narasimha III of Hoysala Dynasty.

The Temple

The temple is constructed in ekakuta chala style and built on a semi-stellate base (semi-star shape). The temple consists of sanctum, vestibule, navaranga and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa (entrance porch) is supported by two decorative pillars with two parapets on both sides. The navaranga is a closed hall (mandapa) and is supported by four lathe turned pillars. These pillars divide the ceiling into nine highly decorated bays. The sanctum enshrines a beautiful idol of Chenna Kesava.

The sanctum has a 16-star pointed shikara (superstructure) with a decorative water pot (Kalasa) on top of it. The vestibule has its own tower (also called sukhanasi) which appears like a low extension of the main tower over the shrine. The temple also houses an idol of Soumya Nayaki Devi (Goddess Mahalakshmi). The exterior walls of the hall and shrine are decorated with turrets and miniature towers on half-pilasters (aedicula). Five horizontal moldings forms the base of the temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Turuvekere Bus Stand. Turuvekere is located at about 15 Kms from Aralaguppe Railway Station, 28 Kms from Tiptur, 28 Kms from Tiptur Railway Station, 32 Kms from Yadiyur, 54 Kms from Huliyar, 72 Kms from Tumkur, 124 Kms from Bengaluru and 146 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. Turuvekere is situated on Huliyar to Yadiyur route.

Location

Betaraya Temple, Turuvekere, Karnataka

Betaraya Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Turuvekere Town in the Turuvekere Taluk of Tumkur district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. This Temple is considered as the main and the largest Temple in Turuvekere. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. Turuvekere is a temple town housing Hoysala era temples and Vijayanagara temples.

History

Turuvekere was an Agraharam town (a place of learning) in the 13^th century CE. It is said that the presiding deity of this temple was installed by Shantala Devi, Queen of Hoysala Emperor Vishnuvardhana. The current structure was built around 15^th century CE by Vijayanagara Kings. The Rajagopuram is recently built in 2014.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, closed maha mandapam, open ardha mandapam and open mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapa is supported by 16 pillars. The pillars are simply plain and devoid of any decorations except the central pillars. Balipitha and Dhwaja Sthamba can be found in mukha mandapa.

The ardha mandapa can be accessed through flight of steps from the northern and southern side. The ardha mandapa is supported by four pillars and four pilasters. The Maha Mandapa has an entrance porch on the southern side. The entrance porch is supported by two pillars and two pilasters.

The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Betaraya Swamy, a form of Lord Vishnu in it. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Lakshmi in the temple premises. The temple has an old ornamental wooden cot, which is used for the Sayanotsava of the image and is said to have been presented by a Mysore general Katti Gopalaraja Arasu.

Festivals

Bramha Rathotsava is celebrated during the month of march is the famous festival celebrated here.

Prayers

Devotees pray to Lord to get relief from diseases & adverse effects from planetary positions in horoscope, and to be blessed with wealth & courage.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 600 metres from Turuvekere Bus Stand. Turuvekere is located at about 15 Kms from Aralaguppe Railway Station, 28 Kms from Tiptur, 28 Kms from Tiptur Railway Station, 32 Kms from Yadiyur, 54 Kms from Huliyar, 72 Kms from Tumkur, 124 Kms from Bengaluru and 146 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. Turuvekere is situated on Huliyar to Yadiyur route.

Location

Gangadaresvara Temple, Turuvekere, Karnataka

Gangadaresvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Turuvekere Town in the Turuvekere Taluk of Tumkur district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. Turuvekere is a temple town housing Hoysala era temples and Vijayanagara temples.

History

Turuvekere was an Agraharam town (a place of learning) in the 13^th century CE. This Temple was built by Maha Dandanayaka Somanna, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III, during 13^th century CE.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with a pillared mahadvara. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, closed maha mandapam, open ardha mandapam and open mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapa is supported by 12 pillars. Nandi can be found in the mukha mandapa facing the sanctum. Nandi is about seven feet tall.

It is decorated with bells and belts carved on its body. The ardha mandapa can be accessed through flight of steps from the northern and southern side. The ardha mandapa is supported by four pillars and four pilasters. The Maha Mandapa has an entrance porch on the southern side. The entrance porch is supported by two pillars and two pilasters.

There is a unique bell made out of rock attached to the roof the entrance porch. It is about 2 feet in diameter. The ringing sound can be heard when it is hit by a metal or stone. Sculpture of Kannappa Nayanar (Bedara Kannappa) offering his eyes to Lord Shiva can be seen in the pillar below the bell.

Sculptures of soldiers riding lions and Ganesha can be seen in the pillars of the entrance porch. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Gangadaresvara, in the form of Linga. The Linga is unique in its representation as it has carving of Ganga sitting on top of its head and fountains of water being flown in the form of prabhavali can be seen.

It is the only temple which is having such depiction of Ganga and Lord Shiva being together. Utsava idol is having an extra eye on the right foot which is a unique feature nowhere to be seen. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Parvathy in the temple premises. Idols of Karya Siddhi Ganapathi and Hanuman can be seen in the temple premises.

Connectivity

Location

Moole Shankareshvara Temple, Turuvekere, Karnataka

Moole Shankareshvara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Turuvekere Town in the Turuvekere Taluk of Tumkur district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. Turuvekere is a temple town housing Hoysala era temples and Vijayanagara temples.

History

Turuvekere was an Agraharam town (a place of learning) in the 13^th century CE. The temple was built around 1260 CE during the rule of the King Narasimha III of Hoysala Dynasty.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and built over a semi stellate base. The temple consists of sanctum, vestibule, navaranga and mukha mandapa. The navaranga is a closed hall without any windows and connected to the prakaram via mukha mandapa on the southern side. The ceiling of the navaranga is supported by four lathe turned pillars.

These pillars divide the ceiling into nine highly decorated bays. The mukha mandapa is supported by two decorative half pillars with two parapets on both sides. The shikara (superstructure) over the sanctum follows bhumija nagara style. The vestibule has its own tower (also called sukhanasi) which appears like a low extension of the main tower over the shrine.

The walls of the vestibule are inconspicuous and appear like a short extension of the shrine wall from the outside. The outer wall of the hall and shrine are decorated with full pilasters, turrets and miniature towers on half-pilasters (aedicula). Six horizontal moldings forms the base of the temple.

Connectivity

Location

Ranakdevi Temple, Wadhwan – Legends

Ranakdevi was a legendary 12^th century queen of Khengara, the Chudasama ruler of Saurashtra region of western India. She is mentioned in the bardic tragic romance representing the battle between Chudasama king Khengara and Chaulukya king Jayasimha Siddharaja. However, this legend is not credible. It is said that Ranakdevi was born to the king of Kutch, but she was abandoned in forest as the astrologer had predicted that whomever marry her will lose his kingdom and die young.

The abandoned child was found by a potter named Jam Rawal of Majevadi village near Junagadh, the Chudasama capital. He raised her as his own daughter. The fame of her beauty reached to Jayasimha and determined to marry her but Chudasama king Khengara marry her which enraged Jayasimha. Meanwhile Khengara had attacked and broken gates of Jayasimha's capital Anahilapataka (now Patan) when he was on an expedition to Malwa which had further enraged Jayasimha.

Khengara used to stay himself at the fort of Uparkot in Junagadh but kept his queen Ranakdevi in his palace in the hill fort of Girnar, a mountain near Junagadh. His nephews Visal and Desal were the only persons allowed access there except the guard. Khengara used to go from the Uparkot to the Girnar fort to visit Ranakdevi. One day he found Desal drunk there and, in spite of all his protestations, accused him of an improper intimacy with her.

Then he expelled both Desal and Visal from the Junagadh. They went to Jayasimha and told him to attack Junagadh. They entered the Uparkot with some cattle carrying grain, slew the guards and attacked the palace. Khengara came forth and fought and died in the battle and the Uparkot was taken. After this Desal and Visal took Jayasimha up to the Girnar fort and asked their aunt to open the gate. She did so, not knowing what had happened.

Then Jayasimha entered and on seeing her two sons ordered them to be put to death. Jayasimha took Ranakdevi with him and returned towards Anahilapataka. On their way, at Vardhamanapura (now Wadhwan) on the banks of river Bhogavo, overcome by the noble bearing of Ranakdevi, he offered to make her his first queen, but she told him that nothing would make her forgive him the death of her innocent boys and his husband. She then cursed Jayasimha and warned him that he should die childless.

Then, she committed sati by burning herself on the funeral pyre of her husband, with his turban in her lap. Her curse was fulfilled and Jayasimha died childless. Several couplets uttered by Ranakdevi in the bardic accounts evokes sadness but their usefulness as the historical material is doubtful. Even the existence of Ranakdevi is doubtful. Ranakdevi is not mentioned in the Chaulukya era chronicles such as Puratana-prabandha-sangraha or Merutunga's Prabandha-Chintamani but instead they give name Sonaladevi and Sunaladevi respectively.

The Apabhramsa verses uttered by Sonaladevi after the death of Khengara counts eleven and eight in them respectively. Ranakdevi's paliya (memorial stone) and a shrine still stand on the southern banks of the Bhogavo river in Wadhwan, though the temple seems to have been built earlier, probably during the reign of Dharanivaraha of the Chhapa dynasty (last quarter of the 9^th century).

Ranakdevi Temple, Wadhwan, Gujarat

Ranakdevi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the legendary 12^th century queen of Khengara, Ranakdevi, located in Wadhwan City in Wadhwan Taluk in Surendranagar District, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is situated on the banks of Bhogavo River. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/ranakdevi-temple-wadhwan-legends.html

The Temple

The temple is built over a raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is completely lost. The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style. It has sculptured niches on the cardinal offsets with simple design. The niches does not contain any images.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 750 metres from Wadhwan Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Wadhwan City Railway Station, 5 Kms from Surendranagar Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Surendranagar Junction Railway Station, 24 Kms from Limbdi, 110 Kms from Rajkot, 117 Kms from Ahmedabad and 128 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport. The temple is situated on Surendranagar to Limbdi route.

Location

Rudra Mahalaya Temple, Siddhpur – Legends

Construction of the Temple:

As per legend, Samanta Simha was the maternal uncle of King Mularaja, the founder of the Chaulukya Dynasty. His uncle was a drunkard and often appoint Mularaja as the king when drunk and depose him when he became sober. Mularaja was really upset over his uncle behaviour. Once, his uncle again appointed him as the king, taking the opportunity, killed his uncle, and announced himself as the king.

His crime of killing his uncle and usurpation of the kingdom came to haunt during elder age. He made several pilgrimages and offered gifts to the brahmins to get relief from the sin. He decided to build a temple for Lord Shiva in Sristhal (Siddhpur) for relief. Mularaja died before its completion. The temple was lost subsequently and covered with bushes.

Later, two Parmars from Malwa, named Govind Das and Madhav Das, found the foundations of a temple and Shiva Linga and noticed the divine beings at night. They reported their sightings to the then King Jayasimha Siddharaja. The king decided to complete the construction of the temple started by his forefather and consecrated in 1140 CE.

Sage Dadhici donated his bones to Indra here:

As per legend, it is believed that Sage Dadhici donated his bones to Indra in Siddhpur.

Pandavas visited Siddhpur during their exile:

As per legend, the Pandavas of Mahabharata visited Siddhpur during their exile.

Rudra Mahalaya Temple, Siddhpur, Gujarat

Rudra Mahalaya Temple is a desecrated Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Siddhpur Town in Siddhpur Taluk in Patan District in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is also known as Rudramal and was considered as one of the earliest and largest Chaulukyan temples. The Temple is situated on the bank of Sarasvati River, considered to be the branch of long lost Saraswathi river mentioned in the Vedas. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/rudra-mahalaya-temple-siddhpur-legends.html

History

The construction of the temple was started in 943 CE by Mularaja (941 – 996 CE), the founder of the Chaulukya Dynasty. The construction was completed in 1140 CE by King Jayasimha Siddharaja of Chaulukya Dynasty. The Temple suffered destruction at the hands of Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan, generals of Alauddin Khalji, king of the Khalji Dynasty in 1296 CE. The temple was further destroyed, and the western part of the temple was converted into congregational mosque (Jami Mosque) by Muslim ruler Ahmed Shah I (1410–44) of Muzaffarid Dynasty in 1414 CE.

The Temple

The temple was built in Maru-Gurjara architecture style. The temple measures 300 by 230 feet (91 m × 70 m) with the central building 150 feet (46 m) in length. The temple was magnificent structure with three stories, 1600 pillars and has 12 entrances. The temple has 11 subsidiary shrines, dedicated to the Ekadasa Rudras, around the sanctum. The temple is facing towards and the sanctum was located on the west. There was also a mandapa with entrance porches on the eastern, northern, and southern side.

The original temple consisted of a roof measuring 32 feet (9.8 m), much larger than the Abu temple. Two toranas and four pillars of the former central structure still stand along with the western part of the complex used as a congregational mosque. The eastern gate was adorned with beautifully carved toran, with a flight of steps leading to the Saraswathi River. The mutilated fragments of few subsidiary shrines, well carved colossal columns, architraves, architectural fragments, Shiva Lingas and sculptures can be seen among the ruins.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Siddhpur Railway Station, 2 Kms from Siddhpur Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Unjha, 31 Kms from Patan, 32 Kms from Palanpur, 47 Kms from Mehsana, 112 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport and 120 Kms from Ahmedabad. The Temple is situated on Palanpur to Unjha route.

Location

Sander Group of Temples, Gujarat

Sander Group of Temples is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Sakthi located in Sander Village in Patan Taluk in Patan District, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Vishnu Temple in the temple complex was built by King Chamundaraja (996 – 1008 CE) of Chaulukya Dynasty. Inscriptions recording grants made by him as a prince are dated as early as 976 CE, although he ascended the throne much later, sometime during 996-997 CE. The Shiva Temple and the Sanderi Mata temple in the temple complex was built by King Bhima 1 (1022 – 1064 CE) of Chaulukya Dynasty.

The Temple Complex

The Temple complex houses three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Sakthi. All these shrines faces towards east. Two of the shrines retained its originality while the third shrine dedicated to Goddess Sakthi is of recent origin.

Shiva Temple:

This temple is facing towards east. It consists of sanctum, antrala, hall and porch. The superstructure over the porch and hall follows stepped pyramidal style. The hall has an octagonal interior with circular ceilings decorated with eight brackets. The doorway to the sanctum is profusely decorated. The sanctum is empty. The superstructure (shikara) over the sanctum follows Bhumija style. The exterior walls of the sanctum is decorated with richly carved sculptures. Some of the sculptures are Ashtadikpalakas, Mahishasura Mardini, Ganesha, Sitala, Hanuman etc.

Vishnu Temple:

This Temple is facing towards east. It consists of sanctum and entrance porch. The sanctum is pancharatha in plan. The superstructure (shikara) over the sanctum follows nagara style.

Sanderi Mata Temple:

This Temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, ranga mandapa and sabha mandapa. The sabha mandapa is open and provided with three entrance porches on southern, northern and eastern side. The ranga mandapa is open to sabha mandapa on the eastern side. It also has entrance porches on northern and southern side. The sabha mandapa and ranga mandapa are crowned with stepped pyramidal shikara.

The sanctum enshrines an image of Sanderi Mata. The main shikara is built in a steep mountain shape or form, symbolic of Mount Meru which is said to be the mythical source of creation of the world. The shikara has richly decorated roofs which rise in a grand form terminating in the shikara. The temple is of recent construction but the idols and sculptures in the temple dates back to 11^th century CE.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 7 kms from Ranuj Railway Station, 15 Kms from Unjha, 20 Kms from Patan Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Patan, 21 Kms from Patan Railway Station, 26 Kms from Chanasma, 31 Kms from Mehsana, 100 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport and 109 Kms from Ahmedabad. The Temple is situated on Unjha to Chanasma route via Ranuj.

Location

Shiva Temple, Bavka, Gujarat

Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bavka Village in Dahod Taluk in Dahod District, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The temple is located on a small hill near Hirlav Lake between Chandwada and Bavka village. The temple is popularly known as Khajuraho of Gujarat due to the presence of erotic sculptures. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, the temple was believed to be built by a Devadasi (temple dancer) in a single night.

History

The Temple was built during the reign of the last Chaulukya ruler Bhima II (1178 – 1240 CE). There is an inscription dated to 1234 CE in the temple. The temple was damaged by Mahmud of Ghazni and plundered for its riches during the later Muslim invasions. Several artifacts of the temples were stolen during these invasions.

The Temple

The Temple is facing towards east and follows Maru – Gurjara style of architecture. This temple is in the Panchayatana style of architecture. Panchayatana is an architectural style where the main shrine is built on a raised platform with four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners and making it a total of five shrines. The main shrine, platform and all the four subsidiary shrines are in ruined condition. The main shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and ranga mandapa.

The roof is lost completely and the side walls of the mandapa is in ruined state. The ranga mandapa is octagonal in plan. The dwarf pillars of the hall are simple, and the central pillars once supported the roof are found among the ruins scattered in the temple. This shikhara over the sanctum is no longer exist. The shikara had horizontal geometrical and figurative bands which rising to create the Mount Meru-like shikhara.

The central spire had Urushringa, the miniature shrines. It is judged by the fragments of collapsed shikara and the hall are scattered nearby. The outer walls and the door of sanctum is filled with carvings of deities and apsaras in dancing postures wearing attractive ornaments. It has numerous erotics sculptures, earning it the name, Khajuraho of Gujarat.

Festivals

Mahashivaratri, Shravan Month and Amalaka Ekadashi are the auspicious days to visit this temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 13 Kms from Dahod, 15 Kms from Dahod Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Dahod Railway Station, 23 Kms from Dhanpur, 200 Kms from Indore, 198 Kms from Indore Airport, 207 Kms from Ahmedabad and 211 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport. The temple is situated on Dahod to Dhanpur route.

Location

Lakheshwara Temple, Kera, Gujarat

Lakheshwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kera Village in Bhuj Taluk in Kutch District, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple was built in the later part of the 10th Century by the Chaulukya dynasty (Solankis). The temple suffered severe damage during the Rann of Kutch earthquake of 1819. The temple was substantially damaged, leaving only the main spire and inner sanctum in a good condition. It was again damaged to some extent during the Bhuj earthquake of 2001.

The Temple

The Temple is facing towards east and built over a raised platform. The temple consists of a mandapa and sanctum enclosed by an ambulatory with transepts on the sides and on the rear. This is a sandhara temple, having common ambulatory passage around its sanctum. The three transepts of the outer wall has windows on each side.

These windows had perforated stone screens. The sanctum is square in plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Lakheshwara, in the form of Shiva Linga. The mandapa was collapsed and only the northern wall has survived. There are a few well carved sculptures of surasundaris can be seen on the wall.

The shikara of the temple is well executed with ornamentation of eight triangle shaped sculptures in the form of chaitya windows on each face of the shikara. The windows has miniature sculptures of human figures. This style is repeated one above the other in gradually reducing size, as the height of the shikara increases.

There are miniature shikaras at the corners of the sanctum and the same type are built above them in an interior set-in feature which lies at the main large central shikara. The external faces of the shikara are well-ornamented with elegantly carved sculptures. The shikara is in ruined state in the front side. There are several stone sculptures of Yakshas can be seen around the temple premises.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 21 Kms from Bhuj, 21 Kms from Bhuj Bus Stand, 26 Kms from Bhuj Railway Station, 26 Kms from Bhuj Airport, 33 Kms from Mundra, 251 Kms from Rajkot and 255 Kms from Rajkot Airport. The temple is situated on Bhuj to Mundra route.

Location

Trinetreshwar Temple, Tarnetar – Tarnetar Fair

Tarnetar Fair is famously called as Tarnetar no Melo / Trinetreshwar Mahadev Mela. It is held annually near the Trinetreshwar Mahadev temple. This fair is considered as one of the most popular religious festival of Gujarat. The fair is believed to have started sometime 200 or 250 years ago. As per legend, the temple is believed to be the site where Arjun won the hand of Draupadi in an archery contest during the Swayamvara of Draupadi and Panchal region (current Tarnetar surroundings) is considered as the native of Draupadi.

The tradition has been carried on in this region where unmarried tribal men and women gather at the fair to find match for them. The fair is held on 4^th, 5^th and 6^th day of Shukla Paksha of Bhadra Month every year. The fair is initiated with the hoisting of a huge Flag on the dome of the Trinetreshwar Temple. The flag is hoisted every year only by the Mahant of Paliyad, a small village near Tarnetar. This tradition has been followed ever since Mahant Visaman Bapu who was born in Paliyad started the Sadavrat at Paliyad and hoisted the first flag at the Tarnetar Temple.

On Bhadarva Sud 4 (Ganesh Chaturthi) the flag is carried in a procession headed by the Mahant from the office of Tourism of Gujarat to the Trinetreshwar Temple. It is then unfurled to symbolize the commencement of the colourful festival. The fair is celebrated with Gujarat’s folk-dance, music and arts and even for those who are not interested in finding a spouse. During this fair numerous stalls are put up that that includes the selling of local and traditional beautiful handicrafts along with ethnic jewelry, traditional mirror work and statues of deities. Every year more than 50,000 to 60,000 people attend the festival.

Trinetreshwar Temple, Tarnetar, Gujarat

Trinetreshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Tarnetar Village near Thangadh Town in Chotila Taluk in Surendranagar District in the Indian state of Gujarat. The temple is considered to be the most beautiful religious monuments and the finest example of aesthetic sculpture in Gujarat. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

The temple is believed to be the site where Arjun won the hand of Draupadi in an archery contest during the Swayamvara of Draupadi.

History

The temple was built by King Mihir Bhoj of Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty, in 8^th century CE. The temple was later reconstructed without changing its architectural beauty by the King of Lakthar, Karansinghji in memory of his son.

The Temple

The temple is facing towards east and is surrounded by three Kunds namely the Vishnu Kund, the Brahma Kund and the Shiv Kund. It is believed that a dip in its waters is equivalent to a dip in the sacred River Ganges. The temple consists of sanctum, vestibule, sabha mandapa with three entrance porches on eastern, southern and northern side. The entrance porches are supported by two pillars and two pilasters. There is pyramidal shaped tower over the sabha mandapa.

The vestibule has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. It has an idol of lion on top of the sukanasi. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Trinetreshwar, in the form of Shiva Linga. The tower over the sanctum follows nagara style of architecture. The main tower is encircled by a series of interlinked towers and spires of smaller size.

Festivals

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/trinetreshwar-temple-tarnetar-tarnetar-fair.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Thangadh Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Thangadh, 15 Kms from Than Junction Railway Station, 30 Kms from Chotila, 45 Kms from Halvad, 60 Kms from Surendranagar, 74 Kms from Rajkot Airport, 76 Kms from Rajkot, 177 Kms from Ahmedabad and 188 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport. The temple is situated on Thangadh to Halvad route.

Location

Pindara Group of Temples, Gujarat

Pindara Group of Temples are group of Hindu Temples located in Pindara Village in Kalyanpur Taluk of Devbhumi Dwarka District in Gujarat, India. The temples are locally known as Durvasa Rishi Ashram. The Temples are located on the shoreline of Gulf of Kutch. Pindara is also known as Pindaraka or Pindataraka.

Legends

Pindara is known as Devpuri in ancient times. It is said it existed even before Dwaraka. Pindara is mentioned as Pindaraka in the Mahabharata, as a place of pilgrimage. Sage Durvasa, Sage Agastya and other rishis resided here. This is the place where the saints (rishis) cursed Yadava clan, which resulted in the clan's destruction. The temples are associated with Sage Durvasa by locals and called Durvasa Rishi Ashram.

History

The temples were built between 7^th and 10^th century CE by Maitraka and Saindhava Dynasty. The Phamsana style temples belongs to middle of 8^th century CE, built during the reign of Saindhavas. Several sculptures and coins dating back to Saindhava dynasty were found during the excavations in 1965. Large number of sculptures and Saindhava coins, for the first time, were found during the excavations in 1965. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India and is maintained by ASI Vadodara Circle.

The Group of Temples

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/pindara-group-of-temples-group-of.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 18 Kms from Limabde, 25 Kms from Bhopalka Railway Station, 48 Kms from Dwaraka, 53 Kms from Khambhalia, 102 Kms from Jamnagar Airport, 106 Kms from Jamnagar and 200 Kms from Rajkot Airport. The Temple Complex is situated at about 18 Kms from Limabde towards Gulf of Kutch off the Dwaraka to Jamnagar route.

Location

Pindara Group of Temples – The Group of Temples

Pindara Group of Temples consists of five temples and a long pillared mandapa. All the temples and the mandapa are enclosed within an enclosure.

Temple No. 1:

The temple is considered as the oldest shrine in the complex. It is called as Sun Temple / Dhyan Mandir. This temple is facing towards east. The Temple follows phamsana style of architecture with dravidian influences. It consists of a square sanctum and a mandapa. The mandapa is lost completely. The exterior is plain without any decorations. The shikara over the sanctum is of five tiers. These tiers has chandrashila engravings in decreasing numbers from five to two while the topmost tier is lost and there is karna kutas at the corners.

Temple No. 2:

The Temple follows phamsana style of architecture and is facing towards west. It shows early Maru Gurjara architectural influence. It consists of sanctum and open porch. The temple has a nagara ground plan. The porch is enclosed by parapet walls on both side. The short pillars on the parapet wall support the roof of the porch. The parapet wall on its east side of the temple, has pillar-motif and niches, similar to the Gop Temple. The lowermost course of the roof is surviving, and it has a row of dentils below it. There is a panel depicting the marriage of Lord Shiva & Parvathy above the door frame. The door frame is plain and devoid of any decoration.

Temple No. 3:

The Temple follows phamsana style of architecture and is facing towards west. It shows early Maru Gurjara architectural influence. It is square in plan and smaller in size. It had a superstructure similar to the Temple No. 2.

Temple No. 4:

This temple is facing towards east and similar to the Temple No. 2. It consists of sanctum and open porch. The porch is enclosed by parapet walls on both side. The short pillars on the parapet wall support the roof of the porch.

Temple No. 5:

The Temple follows phamsana style of architecture and is facing towards west. It consists of square sanctum. The exterior is plan without any decorations.

Submerged Temple Complex:

The remnants of the submerged temple complex were found north of the existing temple complex in 2007. The Jagati of the temple only survived. All the other architectural elements have been lost completely. This temple is facing towards east. The presence of Yonipitha in the temple suggests it was a Shiva Temple. The temple complex might have been submerged in sea due to rise in sea level and seismic activity. This temple complex can be seen during the low tide.

Magderu Temple, Dhrasanvel, Gujarat

Magderu Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Dhrasanvel Village near Dwaraka in Okhamandal Taluk in Devbhumi Dwarka District in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple is believed to built in 8^th century CE by the kings of Maitraka Dynasty. The temple was initially constructed as a Sun Temple by the Maga Brahmins, who were worshippers of Surya (solar deity) and immigrants from Iran to western India. Later, the temple got converted to Shiva Temple. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India and is maintained by ASI Vadodara Circle.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west and built over a low raised platform. The platform is buttressed on north and south. The ruins of an enclosing wall that once connected the shrines may be seen above the platform. This temple is built in the Saptayatana style of architecture. Saptayatana is an architectural style with one large central shrine surrounded by six smaller subsidiary shrines.

The temple might have been built in Panchayatana style initially and later shrines were added to make it as Saptayatana or the temple might have been built in Ashtayatana with replacement of eighth shrine with the flight of the steps to access the temple from north. The main shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and mandapa. The mandapa is now restored with its Bhadraka style pillars with their lintels are still surviving.

The main shrine is pancharatha and square on plan. The doorway is plain and without any ornamentation. The top portion of the shikara is lost. The shikara follows nagara style architecture. The exterior wall is devoid of any decoration. The rectangular north facing shrine is said to have housed Saptamatrikas in ancient times. The idols are lost but the pedestal housed the idols still remains. The eastern shrine was probably meant for Nandi.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 9 Kms from Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, 10 Kms from Dwaraka Railway Station, 11 Kms from Dwaraka, 11 Kms from Dwaraka Bus Stand, 129 Kms from Jamnagar and 222 Kms from Rajkot Airport. The Temple is situated on Dwaraka to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga route.

Location

Limboji Mata Temple, Delmal, Gujarat

Limboji Mata Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located in Delmal Village in Chanasma Taluk in Patan District in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The main shrine of the Limboji Mata Temple was built in 11th century CE by Solanki Dynasty. The minor shrines around the main shrine were built in 12^th century CE. Few additions were made in 17^th and 18^th centuries. Delmal, also called as Dilmal, was once a major city in northern Gujarat with several Hindu and Jain temples. Delmal suffered destruction during Muslim invasion.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards north. The central shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and sabha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines an image of Limboji Mata. The sanctum is crowned by a nagara shikara. The shikara is richly decorated urushringas. The exterior of the central shrine is profusely carved with dikpalas, apsaras and deities from Hindu pantheon. Mahishasura Mardini, Durga and Chamunda are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls. The central shrine is surrounded by sub shrines on each corner.

The front shrines are triple shrines. The middle shrine is dedicated to Trimurthy while the flanking shrines are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The south eastern and south western shrines are dedicated to Surya and Lakshmi Narayan. There is a torana called Torana of Delmal on the on west side of the temple It consists of two plain pillars except moulding shaft which supports the plain lintels over them. Tilakas can be seen on both the ends above the lintel.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 17 Kms from Chanasma, 17 Kms from Chanasma Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Chanasma Railway Station, 18 Kms from Harij, 18 Kms from Harij Bus Station, 32 Kms from Patan, 44 Kms from Mehsana, 119 Kms from Ahmedabad and 121 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport. The Temple is situated at about 6 Kms from Kamboi Junction off the Harij to Chanasma route.

Location

Harshnath Temple, Harsh, Rajasthan

Harshnath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Harsh Village in Sikar Tehsil of Sikar District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. This temple is situated on top of Harsh Parvat. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple was built by the Shaiva ascetic Bhavarakta (also known as Allata), during the reign of Chahamana king Vigraharaja II as per an inscription dated to 973 CE. The temple was later destroyed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1679 CE. Chauhan King Rao Shiv Singh constructed a new temple in 1718 CE adjacent to the old temple using the ruins of the old temple.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east and situated on top of the Harsh Parvat. The temple and its surrounding shrines are now in ruins. The main temple faces towards east. Nandi, housed in a Nandi Mandapa, can be seen facing the sanctum. The Nandi Mandapa is in ruined state. The pillars and ceilings were lost except the raised platform. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Ranga Mandapa and an entrance porch.

The Ranga Mandapa is supported by four central pillars and lateral transepts with kakshasana balustrades. The pillars of the Ranga Mandapa are profusely carved. The Sanctum is pancharatha on plan. A sculpture of standing Parvati (labelled Vikata) engaged in panchagnitapa, flanked by female attendants swaying with lyrical grace can be seen on the western wall inside the sanctum. The Sanctum might have had a superstructure over it. The superstructure was lost completely.

The main temple is noteworthy for the excellent quality of structures and relief carvings despite its dilapidated condition. Idols, reliefs, sculptures and architectural fragments can be seen across the temple premises. The newly built temple is located at a higher level. The temple is built in Maha-Meru style. The temple consists of Sanctum and Mukha Mandapa. The Sanctum is crowned with tall shikara.

Festivals

Shivaratri (Feb – Mar) is the most famous festival celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 22 Kms from Sikar, 22 Kms from Sikar Bus Stand, 23 Kms from Sikar Junction Railway Station, 121 Kms from Jaipur and 134 Kms from Jaipur Airport. Sikar is situated on Jaipur to Fatehpur route. The temple is well connected Sikar City.

Location

Sahasra Bahu Temples, Nagda – The Temple Complex

Sasbahu Temples consists of two temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one by a mother-in-law (Sas) and another, by a daughter-in-law (Bahu). The temple complex is entered through a detached makara torana on the eastern side. Both the temples are facing towards east and built over a common raised platform. Both the temples are similar in style. The larger Sas temple is surrounded by ten subsidiary shrines, while the smaller Bahu temple is surrounded by five subsidiary shrines.

Only the bases remain for some of these subsidiary shrines. On plan, each temple consists of a sanctum, vestibule, hall with lateral transepts and porch, enclosed by a decorated balustrade. Both the sanctum are Pancharatha on plan. The Sas Temple is comparatively larger than the Bahu Temple. The Sas temple is surrounded by ten subsidiary shrines. It has a torana (archway) in the front. It is believed that the image of the Lord Vishnu was swung from the torana on special festivals.

The Temple has three entrances facing three directions. Sculptures of Goddess Saraswathy, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu can be seen on the entrance door. The shikara over the sanctum is in ruined state and built with bricks. The entrance, interior and walls of the Sas Temple is richly decorated with sculptures of Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Rama, Balarama, Parashurama, Lord Shiva with Parvati, Chamunda, Kali & Mahishasura Mardini, Kalpa Vriksha, floral motifs, geometrical patterns and friezes of scenes from the Ramayana.

The Bahu temple has an octagonal ceiling, adorned with eight intricate female figures. It is less decorated. This temple preserves its shikara. The interiors and parts of the exteriors, especially around the porches of both the temples are richly carved, but much of the exteriors are plain. Lotus flower painting is visible on the roof top of temple. The temple is adorned with beautiful carvings of Ramayana. The outer walls are decorated with carvings of public life, lady playing with child, churning curd, potter making pots, elephant punishing a culprit, male & female deities, damsels, regents and amorous panels.

Sahasra Bahu Temples, Nagda – History

Nagda was found by Nagaditya, the fifth King of Guhila dynasty, during 5^th century CE. The town was called as Nagahrida during this period and served as the capital of Mewar. It was a flourishing religious town for Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Jainism. Iltutmish, Sultan of Delhi Sultanate, destroyed Nagda in 1226 CE. Guhila king Mokala, constructed a large lake after the name of his brother Bagh Singh, in Nagda.

The temple was built by King Mahapala of Kachchhwaha Dynasty in 10^th century CE. The temple was named as Sahastrabahu Temple. Sahastrabahu is a name of Lord Vishnu meaning ‘the one having a thousand arms’. Later the name of the temple got corrupted to Sas Bahu Temple (Sas means Mother-in-law and Bahu means Daughter-in-law). The temple was plundered by the invading Muslim armies in 14^th century CE.

As per popular local belief, it is believed that Queen of Mahapala was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and his daughter in law was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Hence, the king built two temples, one dedicated to Lord Vishnu for his wife and another dedicated to Lord Shiva for his daughter-in-law. Thus, the temple complex came to be called as Sas Bahu Temples.

Sahasra Bahu Temples, Nagda, Rajasthan

Sahasra Bahu Temples are a pair of Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Nagda Village near Udaipur City in Udaipur District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The Temples are locally referred to as Sas Bahu temples ((Sas means Mother-in-law and Bahu means Daughter-in-law). This temple complex is situated on the banks of Bagela Lake. This temple complex is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/sahasra-bahu-temples-nagda-history.html

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/sahasra-bahu-temples-nagda-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 05.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 04.00 PM to 09.00 PM.

Connectivity

The Temple Complex is located at about 2.5 Kms from Eklingji Temple, 20 Kms from Udaipur, 23 Kms from Udaipur Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Udaipur Railway Station, 31 Kms from Nathdwara, 40 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 379 Kms from Jaipur. The temple is situated on Udaipur to Nathdwara route (NH 58). The temple is located at about 2 Kms off NH 58 in Nagda.

Location

Mahadeva Temple, Dev Somnath, Rajasthan

Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Dev Somnath Village in Dungarpur District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The Temple is situated on the banks of the River Som. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to have been built in 12^th century CE by local Rajput rulers in Malva style of temple architecture. However, the earliest inscription found in the temple was dated to 1493 CE.

The Temple

The Temple follows Malva style of temple architecture. The entire structure is made of marble and is of three storied. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Sabha Mandapa and three entrance porches. The Sabha Mandapa is crowned with samvarana roof. Nandi can be seen in the Sabha Mandapa facing the sanctum. The Sanctum is situated at about 2.7 metres below the ground level. There are two inscriptions in the temple, dating to Maharawal Sesmal (1586 – 1606 CE) and Maharawal Gopinath (1424 – 1447 CE).

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Savgar, 9 Kms from Tokar, 17 Kms from Kundalgarh Railway Station, 23 Kms from Dungarpur Bus Stand, 26 Kms from Dungarpur, 28 Kms from Dungarpur Railway Station, 96 Kms from Udaipur, 109 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 467 Kms from Jaipur. The temple is situated on Dungarpur to Tokar route via Savgar.

Location

Bisaldeo Temple, Bisalpur, Rajasthan

Bisaldeo Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bisalpur Village in Tonk District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The Temple is also known as Bisaldev Temple / Bisal Deoji Temple. The Temple is located beside the Bisalpur Dam on the Banas River. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

Bisalpur (Visalpur) was earlier known as Vigrahapura. The town was established by the Chahamana king Vigraharaja IV (1150–1164 CE). He was also called as Visala or Bisal Deo. He built this temple and dedicated to Gokarnesvara. Currently, the temple is called as Bisaldeo Temple after its builder.

The Temple

The temple measures about 22.2 (73 feet) metres in length and 15.3 metres (50 feet) in breadth. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Sabha Mandapa and an entrance porch. The Sabha Mandapa is square on plan and crowned with a hemispherical dome, and a portico. The pillars of the Sabha Mandapa feature carvings of floral festoons, chain-and-bell and circular medals. The Sanctum houses the presiding deity in the form of Shiva Linga.

The Sanctum is pancharatha on plan. The Shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style. The courtyard of the temple will be submerged by the waters of the Bisalpur Dam reservoir whenever the water level is high. The temple stood on the top of a hill overlooking the confluence of the Banas and the Dai rivers before the construction of the dam in the 1990s.

Inscriptions

There are several short inscriptions recording pilgrim visits can be seen in the temple. One short inscription dated to 1164 – 1165 CE records the visit of a Kayastha pilgrim. The name of the pilgrim is not clear, but his father's name can be read as Thakkura Srivatsa. The inscription is dated to 15th day of the Shukla Paksha (fortnight) of the Pausha month of the Vikrama Samvat year 1221. Another inscription dated to 1187 – 1188 CE inscription records the donation of two sword handles in the mandapa (hall) of the temple. It is one of the few extant inscriptions issued during the reign of Vigraharaja's nephew Prithviraja III. Few other short inscriptions can be found at the entrance of the temple and antrala.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 12 Kms from Todaraisingh, 62 Kms from Tonk, 126 Kms from Ajmer, 127 Kms from Ajmer Junction Railway Station, 128 Kms from Jaipur Airport and 141 Kms from Jaipur. The temple is situated on Todaraisingh to Jahazpur route.

Location

Bhand Devra Group of Temples, Ramgarh, Rajasthan

Bhand Devra Group of Temples is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Ramgarh Village in Baran District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The Temple is situated on the banks of a pond in the centre of the 4 Kms wide, which was possibly created by a meteor. The temple was constructed in the style of Khajuraho Group of Monuments. Hence, it is famously called as Little Khajuraho. The temple came to be called as Bhand Devra Temple due to the maithuna sculptures. The temple is now protected by the State Archaeological Department.

History

The temple was built in the 10^th century CE by Raja Malaya Verma of Nag dynasty of Malwa as a memorial of his victory over his enemies as per the inscription available in the temple. The temple was extensively renovated by Raja Trisna Verma of Med dynasty in 1162 CE.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple was constructed in the style of Khajuraho Group of Monuments and in ruined state. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Sabha Mandapa with three entrance porches on east, north and south. The pillars of the Sabha Mandapa are richly decorated with sculptures of celestial beings, damsels and amorous couples. The sanctum houses the presiding deity in the form of Shiva Linga within circular yonipitha. The Shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style. There is a ruined subsidiary shrine to the left side of the main temple. This shrine is facing towards east and follows Nagara style architecture.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 15 Kms from Mangrol, 17 Kms from Mangrol Bus Stand, 41 Kms from Baran, 42 Kms from Baran Railway Station, 115 Kms from Kota, 258 Kms from Jaipur Airport and 266 Kms from Jaipur. The temple is well connected by bus and other local transport from Mangrol and Baran.

Location

Baroli Temple Complex, Rawatbhata – The Temple Complex

The temple complex consists of eight temples, situated within a walled enclosure. All the temples are built in the Gurjara Pratihara style of temple architecture dated to the tenth century A.D. The temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha. Three temples namely Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple, Trimurti Temple and Ashta Mata Temple in the temple complex have preserved their nagara style shikara. Two other temples have partly preserved shikaras, another two have damaged brick built shikaras and another two have completely lost their superstructures.

The Temples

Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple:

The Ghateshwara Mahadeva temple is the most prominent and the largest temple in the temple complex. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Mukha Mandapa. The Mukha Mandapa is supported by six pillars and entered through a makara torana. The pillars of the mukha mandapa are richly carved with Sura Sundaris. The ceiling of the mukhamandapa has a concentric form adorned with coffered cusps.

Nandi can be found in front of Mukha Mandapa facing the sanctum. The Sanctum is Pancharatha on plan. The Sanctum houses five Shiva Lingas. The central Linga looks like an inverted ghata (pot). Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Ghateshwara. The ceiling of the sanctum is in the form of large blossoming lotus. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style. Andhakantaka, Nataraja and Chamunda are the niche idols located around the exterior walls of the sanctum.

Sringar Chauri:

Sringar Chauri, also called as Ranga Mandapa (the hall of dance), is situated in front of the Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple. This structure is added to the temple during the later part of 10^th century CE. It is a large pillared hall, built over a raised platform. The transepts of the hall have co-axial entrances, both on the east and the west, enclosed by kakshasana balustrades. The structure rests on four highly ornate central pillars and twenty simple peripheral pillars. The pillars of this hall are richly decorated with sculptures of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and various forms of Lord Shiva.

Ashta Mata Temple:

The Temple is also known as Mahishasura Mardini Temple. This Temple is facing towards east. It is situated to the south of Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Mukha Mandapa. The entrance door to the sanctum has three panels.

Goddess Maheshwari in dancing posture can be seen on the lintel. Goddess Parvati can be seen in the central niche in Sukanasa. The Sanctum is Pancharatha on plan. The sanctum is empty. The sanctum would have enshrined Mahishasura Mardini in the ancient past. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style.

Ganesha Temple:

This temple is facing towards south. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The temple consists of Sanctum and a frontal porch. The Sanctum is triratha on plan. The structure of the main temple is built with stones while the superstructure of the shikara is made with bricks. The door is devoid of any decorations. The arms and feet of the image of Ganesha have been chopped off by the invading Islamic armies.

Trimurti Temple:

This temple is facing towards east and is partially damaged. It is situated in the south east of the temple complex. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Mukha Mandapa. The Mukha Mandapa has been damaged. The Sanctum is Pancharatha on plan. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style. Nataraja can be seen as the central image at the lintel of the entrance of the sanctum. The Sanctum enshrines a Trimurti Shiva (Lord Shiva with three heads). The idol is defaced during the Islamic invasion in this region.

Vamana Temple:

This temple is facing towards east and situated next to Ashta Mata Temple. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. This temple is considered as the smallest temple in the entire temple complex. The temple originally consisted of a sanctum, antrala and a frontal porch. Now, only the sanctum and antrala remains. The sanctum is covered with a flat slab as a ceiling. It enshrines a four-armed image of Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The image is about 3 feet tall.

Shiva Temple:

This Temple is situated in the middle of the temple tank. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. This temple is facing towards east and is Pancharatha on plan. The temple consists of Sanctum and a pillared frontal porch. It enshrines a Shiva Linga in the sanctum.

Sheshashyan Temple:

This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The temple suffered destruction during Islamic invasion. The temple consists of Sanctum and a frontal porch. The Sanctum is rectangular in plan. The entrance door of the sanctum is devoid of any decorations. The shikara over the sanctum is missing.

Kund:

The tank is situated to the north of the Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple. It is square on plan. This tank is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The tank can be approached from three sides i.e. east, west and south. The access from the south side is through a long series of descending steps.

Baroli Temple Complex, Rawatbhata, Rajasthan

Baroli Temple Complex is a Hindu Temple complex located in Baroli village near Rawatbhata Town in Chittorgarh District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The temple complex consists of eight temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha. Baroli Temple Complex is also known as Badoli Temples. The temple complex is situated on the banks of Chambal river. This temple complex is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Baroli Temples are believed to have been built during the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire in the 10^th century CE. A Sculpture of Lord Nataraja was stolen from the Baroli temple complex in 1998. It has been traced to a private collector in London. However, the statue has now been recovered.

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/baroli-temple-complex-rawatbhata-temple-complex.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Rawatbhata Bus Stand, 3.5 Kms from Rawatbhata, 50 Kms from Kota, 52 Kms from Kota Junction Railway Station, 132 Kms from Chittorgarh, 228 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 292 Kms from Jaipur. The temple is situated on Kota to Rawatbhata route in the outskirts of Rawatbhata town.

Location

Dipadih Ancient Temple Ruins, Chattisgarh

Dipadih Ancient Temple Ruins are group of ancient Hindu temples dedicated to the Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Sakthi located in Dipadih Village in Kusmi Tehsil in Balrampur District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. This temple complex is believed to be built in 8^th – 14^th century CE. The Temple ruins are considered one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India. Dipadih is located at the confluence of Kanhar and Galphulla River.

The Temple Complex

The Temple Complex consist of remains of ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Sakthi dated to 8^th – 14^th century CE. The remains are found scattered around the village of Dipadih. It is said that the village houses six major temples and 74 minor temples. The remains spread over an area of about 1 Km.

The Sarna temple is considered as the major shrine in the temple complex. It is believed to be built in memory of King Samant Sarna who lost his life in a battle. The temple is built in Panchayatana style i.e. main shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines. The doorway to the sanctum is profusely carved.

Gajalakshmi can be seen on the lintel of the doorway. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga. Images of Nayikas in various postures can be seen on the pillars. The structure might have been massive in its heydays but now only the foundation remains. There is a very unique idol of two lions with one head can be seen on the adhisthana of the temple.

Remains of several temples can be seen in Uraon Tola, Rani Pokhara, Borja Tila, Semal Tila and Ama Tila. Sculptures of Brahma, Durga, Ganga, Yamuna, Vishnu, Kuber, Kartikeya, Mahishasura Mardini, Chamunda, Gajalakshmi, Uma Mahesvara, Alingana Murthy, Nardana Ganesha, Rudra Bhairava and several Shiva Lingas can be found in the temple complex.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Dipadih Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Kusmi, 68 Kms from Balrampur, 77 Kms from Ambikapur, 81 Kms from Ambikapur Railway Station, 92 Kms from Ambikapur Airport and 231 Kms from Ranchi Airport. The temple is situated on Kusmi to Ambikapur route.

Location

Jogimara Cave, Ramgarh, Chattisgarh

Jogimara Cave is a cave situated on the Ramgarh Hills in Ramgarh Town in Udaipur Tehsil in Surguja District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. The cave is situated to the adjacent to the Sita Bengra Cave. It is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana stayed in these caves during their exile. Hence, one of the caves came to be called as Sita Bengra (residence of Sita) and the hill came to be called as Ramagiri Hill.

History

The cave is said to have excavated in 4^th century CE. The britishers discovered the cave in 1875 CE. It is believed that Kalidas visited the hills in the 4^th century CE. He composed his magnum opus Meghdoot, a poem of 111 shlokas or stanzas, here during his stay. Hindi playwright Mohan Rakesh wrote Ashad Ka Ek Din In the late 1950s. It depicts the inner struggle of poet Kalidas, caught between love and fame. Local artistes later built an auditorium at the foothill and began the yearly Ramgarh Mahotsava on the first day of the month of Ashad – the day Meghdoot's Yaksha spotted the cloud.

The Cave

The Cave is facing towards north-east, lies adjacent to the Sita Bengra cave to its west. The cave is smaller than Sita Bengra. It is artificially carved cave measuring 3 x 1.8 x 1.8 m. It is considered that it served as a resting place for the girls employed in theatre i.e. Sita Bengra. The caves can be reached through a natural tunnel. Even elephants can pass through this 55 m long tunnel. Hence, the tunnel came to be called as Hathipol (Elephant Cave).

The walls and ceiling of this cave were adorned with exquisite paintings dating back to 3^rd century BCE. The painting was laid on white base plaster although in some places the paint had been laid also on the unprepared base. The painting was done in two layers. The original layer was dated to the 3^rd century BCE and the second layer was done in later period & of inferior quality. The paintings on the ceiling consist of panels of procession, chariots, singers, dancers, dancing couple, torana motifs, trees, animals & birds.

Most of the paintings are in a good state of preservation. The cave also has an inscription written in Brahmi script, which is considered as the first documented written messages of love in the world. This inscription dates back to the 3^rd century BC. The inscription reads as "Roopdaksh Devdin is enamoured by Devdasi Sutunuka." Roopdaksh is a sculptor, Devdasi a dancer.

Connectivity

The Cave is located at about 3 Kms from Udaipur Bus Stand, 40 Kms from Ambikapur Airport, 44 Kms from Ambikapur, 48 Kms from Ambikapur Railway Station, 65 Kms from Parla, 134 Kms from Korba, 179 Kms from Bilaspur and 191 Kms from Bilaspur Airport. The temple is situated at about 3 Kms from Udaipur off the Ambikapur to Korba route via Parla.

Location

Sita Bengra Cave, Ramgarh, Chattisgarh

Sita Bengra Cave is a cave situated on the Ramgarh Hills in Ramgarh Town in Udaipur Tehsil in Surguja District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. The cave is locally known as Natyasala represents a unique example of early Indian theater. The cave is situated to the adjacent to the Jogimara Cave. It is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

History

The Cave

Sita Bengra Cave is a natural cave with a rock-cut small hall resembling a stage. It is oblong on plan and is accessible through a flight of rock-cut steps. The cave is 14 m long, 5 m wide, and 1.8 m high. It was used as an amphitheater for folk theater performances during ancient times. It seems that there was a gallery for royals and a stone cut platform in front, located lower than the gallery.

There are round rock-cut benches, arranged in terraces in the shape of a crescent, with aisles in front of the Sita Bengra Cave. There are about 50 seats. There are hewn two holes in the floor in front of the cave. It is said that the poles were placed in these holes for shielding the visitors from winds in winter nights. There are also foot prints carved in the right corner in front of the cave.

The cave contains a two-line inscription. It tells about venerable poets who kindled the hearts of local society and that these poets tie garlands thick with jasmine flowers around their necks. The inscription refers also to the vernal full moon and some event – perhaps, spring festival abounding in frolics and music. This place was popular during the spring nights with a full moon when the great festival of Kama (deity of love) took place.

Connectivity

Location

Mahadeva Temple, Tuman, Chattisgarh

Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva located in Tuman Village in Kartala Tehsil in Korba District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

Tuman was the first capital of the Kalachuris of South Kosala as per the Tuman Inscription of late Kalachuri period in 900 CE. Kalachuri King Ratan Deva I had constructed several temples at Tuman as per the Ratanpur inscription of Jajalladeva I dated to 1116 CE. Archeological excavation carried out during 2008 – 2009 and 2009 – 2010 at Tuman has unearthed remains of 20 temples and several sculptures of Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta faith.

The Temple

The main temple is facing towards west. It consists of Sanctum and a Mandapa. Both are in dilapidated state. The entrance door is intricately carved. The lower portion of the door jamb is decorated with river goddesses Ganga & Yamuna and Shaiva Dvarapalas. Images of Brahma, Vishnu, Navagraha and Shiva can be seen on the lalatabimba. Incarnations of Lord Vishnu can be seen on the door jamb. The Sanctum is square on plan and enshrines a Shiva Linga.

The Sanctum is saptaratha on plan. The exterior walls of the sanctum is decorated with geometrical & floral motifs, diamond designs, lion and marching elephants. The temple complex contains various remains of 20 temples and several sculptures of Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta faith. Sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu, Gaja Samhara Moorthy, Surya, Ganesha, Vasudeva, Hanuman, Narasimha, Gajalaxmi, Chamunda and erotic figures are notable among the sculptures found in the temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 22 Kms from Katghora, 53 Kms from Korba, 49 Kms from Korba Railway Station, 50 Kms from Pasan, 91 Kms from Bilaspur, 103 Kms from Bilaspur Airport. The temple is situated on Korba to Pasan route.

Location

Mahadeva Temple, Jagannathpur, Chattisgarh

Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva located in Jagannathpur Village in Balod Tehsil in Durg District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. The temple was believed to be built in 10^th – 12^th century CE. The temple is situated on the banks of River Tandula. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

The temple is a 16 pillared mandapa. The mandapa enshrines a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. There is a medallion on the ceiling of the mandapa. There is a pyramidal superstructure over the mandapa.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 10 Kms from Balod Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Balod Railway Station, 11 Kms from Balod, 19 Kms from Arjunda, 46 Kms from Rajnandgaon, 55 Kms from Durg and 107 Kms from Raipur Airport. The temple is situated on Balod to Arjunda route.

Location

Shiva Temple & Chaturbhuj Temple, Dhamdha, Chattisgarh

Shiva Temple & Chaturbhuj Temple is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to the Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu located in Dhamdha Town in Dhamdha Tehsil in Durg District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. This temple was built in 14^th – 15^th century CE. The temples are situated between Budha talab and Chaugadhia talab. The Temples are one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple Complex

The Temple Complex consists of two temples. One temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and another temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Both the temples are facing towards west.

Shiva Temple:

The temple consists of sanctum and ardha mandapa. Nandi can be found outside the temple facing the sanctum. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. The upper part of the shikara is missing.

Chaturbuja Temple:

The temple consists of sanctum and a frontal porch. The sanctum enshrines an image of four-armed Lord Vishnu.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 750 metres from Dhamdha Bus Stand, 32 Kms from Durg Junction Railway Station, 34 Kms from Durg, 35 Kms from Bhilai, 43 Kms from Bemetra, 47 Kms from Raipur and 64 Kms from Raipur Airport. The Temple is situated on Durg to Bemetra route.

Location | Photos

Devgarh Group of Temples, Chattisgarh

Devgarh Group of Temples are group of Hindu Temples dedicated to the Lord Shiva and Goddess Sakthi located in Devgarh Village in Ambikapur Tehsil in Surguja District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. The temples are situated on the banks of River Ren (Rehar River). The Temples are one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Shiva Temple might have been built during the 11^th – 12^th century CE and the Devi Temple might have been built during 12^th – 13^th century CE.

The Group of Temples

Devgarh Village houses two major temples namely Shiva Temple and Devi Temple. It also houses several temple ruins spread throughout the village.

Shiva Temple:

The current structure is of recent origin. The sanctum enshrines an ancient Ek Mukhi Shiva Linga with yonipitha. The temple also has idols of Nandi, Surya, Uma Maheshwara and a Mukhalinga.

Devi Temple:

The Temple is also called as Chherika Deur. This temple is located at about 500 metres from the Shiva Temple. The temple consists of sanctum, vestibule and mandapa. The ceiling of the mandapa and the superstructure of the sanctum is missing. The mandapa houses images of Lakulisa, Ganesha, Kartikeya and the lower part of Mahishasura Mardhini. Nandi can be found facing the sanctum.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 14 Kms from Lakhanpur, 14 Kms from Lakhanpur Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Udaipur, 28 Kms from Bishrampur Railway Station, 38 Kms from Ambikapur, 42 Kms from Ambikapur Railway Station and 201 Kms from Bilaspur Airport. The temple is located at about 14 Kms from Lakhanpur off the Bilaspur – Ambikapur highway.

Location | Photos

Bhand Deul Temple, Arang, Chattisgarh

Bhand Deul Temple is a Jain Temple dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras located in Arang Town in Arang Tehsil in Raipur District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. It is also one of the rare temple which has all 24 Jain Tirthankaras carved on a single stone. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, Lord Krishna appeared disguised as a Brahmin before king Murddhawaja of the Haihaya dynasty and asked for dakshina. The king happily offered the brahmin whatever dakshina he wanted. The disguised Brahmin asked for one half of the king's body. The king immediately ordered that he should be cut off and one half given must be given as dakshina to the brahmin. As he was about to be cut in half, a tear drop fell from one of the eyes.

The Brahmin asked the king if the tear drop reflected his regret in accepting his request. The king replied no, adding that the half of the body which he did not ask for weeps as it too would like to be a part of the dakshina. Lord Krishna then revealed himself and blessed the king for his devotion. Thus, the place came to be called as Arang. The name Arang is formed of two words ara meaning saw and anga meaning body.

History

The Temple was built in 9th century CE by the Kalachuri Kings. It is a protected monument under the Raipur circle of Archaeological Survey of India, since 1920. Arang flourished as the centre of Hindu and Jain religious faiths under the rule of Kalachuris. Arang has many Jain and Hindu temples that date backs to the 9th to 11th centuries. Arang also finds mention in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

A copper plate inscription dated to the Gupta period, known as the Arang Plate of Bhimasena II of the clan of Rajarsitulya was unearthed at Arang. It attests to the reign of this dynasty over Chhattisgarh, particularly of Bhimasena II and five rulers who preceded him. It is inferred that they were vassals of the Gupta Empire.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west and is built over a raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum, mandapa and an entrance porch on plan. The mandapa and the entrance porch was completely lost. The sanctum is stellate and pancharatha in plan. The sanctum enshrines three images of Jain tirthankaras namely Ajitanatha, Neminath and Shreyanasanatha in kayotsarga posture.

All the images are carved ornately in black stone and highly polished. The tower follows nagara style of architecture. The tower is about five tiers. The front side of the tower has been plastered without any decoration. The north-east and south-east faces of the temple tower were also dilapidated and have been reconstructed in brick and mortar, but crudely.

The exterior walls has two rows of sculptures. The exterior of the temple is decorated with niches enshrining images of Jain tirthankaras, urushringas, yakshas, yakshis and erotic couples. The adishtana contains five mouldings beautifully carved with rows of elephants, swans, horses, music, dance scenes, geometric patterns and kirtimukhas etc.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Arang Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Arang Mahanadi Railway Station, 18 Kms from Mahasamund, 30 Kms from Raipur Airport and 38 Kms from Raipur. The temple is situated on Raipur to Mahasamund route.

Location

Chandpur Group of Temples, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh

Chandpur Group of Temples are groups of ancient Chandela era temples located in Chandpur Village in Lalitpur Tehsil in Lalitpur District of Uttar Pradesh, India. The Temples are mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Jain Thirthankaras. Chandpur is known for its extensive archaeological remains, scattered especially in the east and north west parts. The group of temples are protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Group of Temples

Chandpur has majorly five groups of ancient temples and numerous ancient Chandela ruins in its vicinity.

Sahastralingeshwar Temple Group:

Sahastralingeshwar Temple is the largest temple in this group. This temple is facing towards east and situated on the banks of a tank. It consists of sanctum and mukha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines Sahasra Linga (thousand miniature lingas carved on a single Linga) with four projecting figures on all four directions. The sanctum is spacious enough to have circumbulation by devotees. The lintel of the sanctum doorway has relief of Lord Nataraja at its center.

There is a four pillared mandapa housing Nandi in front of the sanctum. There is flat roofed shrine with a porch dedicated to Lord Brahma to the southern side of the Sahastralingeshwar Temple. The sanctum enshrines a seated image of Lord Brahma with his consort on his lap but the central figure in the lintel is Lord Vishnu with his consort. The third shrine is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Only the porch of this shrine remains.

Location

Varaha Temple Group:

The Varaha Temple is situated on the banks of the tank. It is surrounded by the tank on three sides. The temple enshrines Varaha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in animal form. The structure housed the image was completely lost except the raised plinth. The Varaha is large in size and carved with all the deities of the Hindu pantheon in its body.

An inscription dated to 1148 CE can be seen on the pedestal of the figure. This group contains several temple ruins in its premises. The plinth of three large temples and few smaller temples can be found amidst large debris of architectural fragments and sculptures. A damaged column with an inscription can be seen among the debris.

Location

Belmori Temple Group:

This Temple group consists of two temples (a larger one and smaller one). The larger temple consisted of sanctum and Mandapa. The sanctum is completely lost. The plinth of the sanctum and the mandapa remains. The smaller temple consists of sanctum and an entrance porch. The shikara over the sanctum is in dilapidated state. Remains of sub shrines can also be seen in the temple premises.

Location

Lakshmi Narayan Temple Group:

The Lakshmi Narayan Temple Group is the largest group of ruined temples. This Temple consists of two temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One temple consists of sanctum and an entrance porch and other temple consists of mandapa only. The sanctum of the temple is completely lost. The temple complex is covered extensively by the ruins of temple remains.

A colossal image of Hanuman can be seen among the ruins. An architrave among the ruins has a short inscription in it. There are two minor shrines to the south of the main temples. One shrine consists of sanctum and an entrance porch while the other shrine consists of mandapa only. The group is enclosed by a compound wall on all sides.

Location

Jain Temples Group:

The Jain Temples Group is situated to the south east side of the Chandpur village near railway track of Jhansi – Mumbai line. This group consists of three structures in its premises. All these structures are in dilapidated condition. The major shrine of this group consists of sanctum and a mandapa. The sanctum is situated much below the ground level and can be accessed through a narrow entrance.

The sanctum enshrines a colossal image of Jain Tirthankara, Shantinatha. He is in standing posture in Kayotsarga posture. His arms are extended till his knees. His right hand is damaged. He is flanked by few damaged Jaina images on both sides. There are few images in meditation posture and few images in Kayotsarga posture in a row on the left wall of the temple.

An image of goddess can also be seen beside Lord Shantinatha. Sculpture of Jain Ambika and Kuber Yaksha can be seen on the outer wall of the temple. Her mount lion is depicted under seat. The second structure is a small four pillared mandapa in front of the main temple. The third temple consisted of sanctum and an entrance porch.

Only the porch remains intact and the sanctum is lost completely. The door frame is intricately carved. A colossal image of Tirthankara is kept nearby. It might have been the presiding deity of this temple. Sculptures of Jaina figures and architectural fragments are found scattered around the temple premises. The temple complex is enclosed by compound walls on all sides.

Location

Bhandaria Temple:

The Temple is also called as Shishu Madia. The Temple is built over a raised platform. The Temple consists sanctum and an entrance porch. The interior of the porch and the entrance door of the sanctum are intricately carved with reliefs. The shikara over the sanctum is partially damaged.

Location

Other Temples:

Jhammar Temple is situated close to a square well called Jhammar. The temple is named after the well and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It consisted of sanctum and an entrance porch. The sanctum is completely lost. The lintel of the sanctum door has a relief of Lord Nataraja at its center. There is another small shrine situated in the mid of the forest to the west side of the tank. Sculptures, ancient wells, architectural fragments and other ancient relics can be found scattered around this village. There is another unknown Jaina temple group found on the eastern extremity of this village.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 9 Kms from Jakhalaun, 10 Kms from Jakhalaun Railway Station, 12 Kms from Deogarh, 12 Kms from Dhaura, 28 Kms from Lalitpur Junction Railway Station, 34 Kms from Lalitpur Airport, 37 Kms from Lalitpur, 226 Kms from Bhopal Airport and 438 Kms from Lucknow. The Temple is situated on Deogarh – Dhaura road.

Jatar Deul, Kanakan Dighi, West Bengal

Jatar Deul is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kanakan Dighi Village near Raidighi Town in the Mathurapur II Community Development Block in the Diamond Harbour subdivision of the South 24 Parganas District in the Indian state of West Bengal. The Temple stands on a small hill in the landscape of the southern Sundarbans settlements. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The temple is believed to be built in 10^th century CE due to a copper plate inscription of Raja Joychandra discovered in the area in 1875 CE. However, the copper plate inscription did not refer to this temple. Some of the scholars put the construction into the 17^th Century CE. However, the ASI board at the temple site places construction around 11^th century CE.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and follows Kalingan style of architecture. The temple is built over a raised platform. The Temple consisted of rekha deula and jagamohana. Only the rekha deula in intact. The foundation of the jagamohana can be seen in front of the rekha deula. The rekha deula is about 30 metres tall. The sanctum is square on plan.

It has an arched gateway leading to the sanctum. The sanctum is situated below the ground level. The sanctum houses Lingas, pictures and idols of various gods & goddesses of Hindu pantheon. The walls of the temple were intricately decorated with decorative bricks, but sadly most of it is lost due to unplanned reconstruction.

Festivals

A fair is held, and a horse race is organised on 2^nd Baisakh (mid-April) every year near the temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 7 Kms from Raidighi Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Raidighi, 25 Kms from Mathurapur, 28 Kms from Mathurapur Road Railway Station, 52 Kms from Baruipur, 57 Kms from Kakdwip, 81 Kms from Kolkata and 91 Kms from Kolkata Airport. The temple is located at about 25 Kms from Mathurapur off the Kolkata to Kakdwip route via Baruipur.

Location

Vishnu Varaha Temple, Majholi, Madhya Pradesh

Vishnu Varaha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Majholi Village in Majholi Tehsil in Jabalpur District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The original temple is believed to have been built during 11^th century CE as the sanctum enshrines image of Varaha belonging to the Kalachuri period. Alexander Cunningham visited this temple during 1873 – 1874 CE and described about this temple in his report.

The Temple

The Temple is of modern construction but enshrines an 11^th century CE image of Varaha belonging to Kalachuri period. The architectural fragments and sculptures from the original temple are been utilized in the construction in the modern temple. The sanctum door follows Kalachuri style. The lintel of the doorway has four armed Vishnu seated in Yoga posture at its central location flanked by Navagrahas. The door jambs have three bands of decoration.

The middle band has three niches housing apsaras in various postures. River goddesses Ganga and Yamuna can be seen at the base of the door jamb. The sanctum is square in plan. The sanctum enshrines a huge image of Varaha. This image is similar to the images of Eran and Khajuraho. There is serpent depicted in between the legs of Varaha. The serpent is shown holding a vessel accompanied by his wife. She also holds a vessel in her hands.

There is an image of Vishnu in Yoga posture in between the snout of Varaha and hood of the serpent. The body of the Varaha is decorated with various gods & goddesses of Hindu pantheon, celestial beings and sages. There are few loose sculptures built into the external wall of the sanctum. Images of Ganesha, Vaishnavi, Uma Mahesvara, Vishnu etc. belonging to the Kalchuri era can be seen in the external walls of the sanctum.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Majholi New Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Katangi, 20 Kms from Sihora, 23 Kms from Sihora Road Railway Station, 45 Kms from Jabalpur, 55 Kms from Jabalpur Airport, 70 Kms from Katni and 71 Kms from Damoh. Majholi can be reached from Sihora which is located on Jabalpur-Katni road. Majholi is situated on Sihora to Katangi route.

Location

Ambika Mata Temple, Jagat, Rajasthan

Ambika Mata Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga located in the village of Jagat near Udaipur City in Udaipur District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. This Temple is famously called as Khajuraho of Rajasthan or Khajuraho of Mewar. The temple is preserved by the State Department of Archaeology and Museum, Rajasthan.

History

The temple was believed to be built in 960 CE. There is an inscription dated to 1306 CE recording the genealogy of Bagar clan rulers.

The Temple

The temple is an early, transitional, example of the style known as Maru-Gurjara architecture. This Temple is facing towards east with a two storied entrance mandapa. Sculptures of Maithuna figures, Ashta Matrikas and scenes from Samudra Mandan can be seen on pillars and ceilings of the entrance mandapa. This temple is enclosed by compound walls on all sides. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Sabha Mandapa and entrance porch. The Sabha Mandapa has projections on two of its sides with beautifully carved windows.

The Sanctum houses Ambika, a form of the Hindu Goddess Durga. The exterior walls of the Sanctum and Sabha Mandapa are richly decorated with various forms of Goddess Durga, Mahishasura Mardhini, Nava Durga, Veenadharini, Saraswathi, Ganpati in dancing posture, Yama, Kuber, Vayu, Indra, Lakshmi, Saptamatrikas, Surasundaris, Apasaras, dikpalakas, maithuna figures, dancers, musicians, floral motifs and geometrical patterns.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 34 Kms from Udaipur, 36 Kms from Udaipur Bus Station, 37 Kms from Udaipur Railway Station, 42 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 426 Kms from Jaipur. The Temple is situated on a regular bus route via Kurawad and can be easily accessed from Udaipur.

Location

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh – The Temple

The temple is situated on top of a hillock, outside the fort of Achalgarh. The temple is entirely built with white marble blocks. Idols of two elephants can be seen guarding the entrance of the temple. Two elephants facing each other stands tall at the entrance gate of the shrine. Nandi, housed in a four pillared mandapa, can be found immediately after the entrance, facing the sanctum.

The Nandi is made of five different metals and weighs about 4 tons. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapa and frontal porch. The sanctum houses Achaleshwar in the form of Shiva Linga housed within a circular yonipitha. It is said that the Linga in the form of dome is considered as the toe of Lord Shiva. It is unique to note that the Shiva Linga changes its colour thrice a day.

It appears red in the morning, saffron in the noon and wheatish in the evening. There is a semicircular pit in the sanctum, considered to be the gateway to Naraka, the netherworld. The water offered to the Shiva Linga disappears through this pit. It is still a mystery, where the water goes. Sculptures of the goddess Chamunda can be seen on the rear and the left side niches of walls.

There is a Dharam Kanta (Scales of Justice) built over the two intricately carved pillars on the left side of the temple. It is a tradition that the King, taking over the charge, first receive the blessings of Achaleshwar Mahadev and then sit over Dharam Kanta and take an oath of being impartial to the people of his territory.

Shrines of Dasavathara (Varaha, Narasimha, Kurma, Vamana, Matsya, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Parasurama & Kalki), Paapa Kanteshwar, Somnath, Surya Narayan, Navagrahas, Shankateshwar, Omkareshwar, Markandeshwar and Dwarkadhish can be seen in the temple premises. There is a huge Champa tree can be seen in the temple complex. There is small beautiful lake named Mandakini, surrounded by rocky hills situated very near to this temple. It has three idols of buffalos on its bank.

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh – History

The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 9^th century CE by the Paramara dynasty. Paramara Dynasty is also credited with having constructed the original structure of the Achalgarh Fort, later reconstructed, renovated and named as Achalgarh by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 CE. The temple suffered damages from Muslim invaders in the medieval period.

The temple authorities decided to the safeguard the temple from future attacks. They covered the temple by a layer of lime and made it to look like an insignificant structure. The crown prince of princely state of Sirohi in 1979 noticed a marble wall exposed under the lime. He requested the archeologists to investigate his finding.

They removed the layers of lime and found that the entire temple was built with marble blocks. They also found a path around the sanctum for circumambulation. Sculptures of the goddess Chamunda were also found on the rear and the left side niches. These sculptures were smeared with the red vermillion, indicating that these sculptures were regularly worshipped in ancient past.

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh – Legends

Toe of Lord Shiva:

As per legend, it is said that the temple is built around a toe print of Lord Shiva. It is believed that when the earth was undergoing a massive upheaval in its early days, Lord Shiva pressed with his toe to keep it stable.

Nandi protected the temple by releasing bumble bees:

As per legend, it is said that the temple was protected by Nandi from getting destroyed by Muslim invaders by releasing millions of bumble bees towards them.

Mount Abu:

Mount Abu is also known as Ardha Kashi due to the presence of several temples. As per puranas, Varanasi is considered as the city of Lord Shiva and Mount Abu is considered as suburban of Lord Shiva. It is said that the Mount Abu is grounded due to the thumb of Lord Shiva. When the thumb of Lord Shiva will disappear, the mountain will also be destroyed on the same day.

Dharam Kanta:

Roots of Shiva Linga:

It is said that no one knows about the depth of the roots of Shiva Linga. Once, devotees dug the ground to find out the depth of the roots, but they could not able to find the end and finally had to call of their excavation process.

Doorway to Naraka:

There is a semicircular pit in the sanctum, where the devotees pour water, but none of them has any idea where the water goes. The pit is believed to be a doorway to Naraka (Hell).

Buffalo Idols:

There are three large stone buffalos on the banks of a pond, located close to the temple. It is believed that these buffaloes are believed to be demons shot down by the King to stop from drinking the ghee in the pond.

Achaleshwar:

Achaleshwar is derived from two Sanskrit words Achal (Immovable) and Eshwar (Lord Shiva).

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Achalgarh, Rajasthan

Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Achalgarh in Abu Road Tehsil of Sirohi District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. This temple is situated outside the fort of Achalgarh close to Mount Abu, a famous hill station.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/achaleshwar-mahadev-temple-achalgarh-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/achaleshwar-mahadev-temple-achalgarh-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/achaleshwar-mahadev-temple-achalgarh-temple.html

Prayers

Unmarried boys and girl pray to Lord Achaleshwar for their successful marriage.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 7 Kms from Mount Abu Bus Stand, 9 Kms from Mount Abu, 36 Kms from Mount Abu Road Railway Station, 85 Kms from Sirohi, 171 Kms from Udaipur, 191 Kms from Udaipur Airport, 222 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport and 230 Kms from Ahmedabad. This temple is situated outside the fort of Achalgarh close to Mount Abu, a famous hill station.

Location | Photos

Krimchi Group of Temples, Jammu and Kashmir

Krimchi Group of Temples is a complex of seven ancient temples in Krimchi village near Udhampur Town in Udhampur District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This group of temples is locally known as the Pandava Temples. These temples are located on a hillock, in the foothills of Shivalik Hills, between two small streams Bishma and Krimchi. These temples are one of the oldest temple complexes of Jammu & Kashmir.

Legends

As per legend, it is believed that these temples were built by the Pandavas, during their exile, when they took shelter at Krimchi. King Kichak, who ruled over this region then, gave shelter to the Pandavas.

History

These temples were believed to have been constructed during 8^th or 9^th century CE as by ASI, India. It is commonly agreed that these temples were built in stages. Some scholars date these temples to second century CE by Kushan empire and to 9^th century CE by Dev dynasty of Jammu. However, architecturally, these temples correspond with the Masrur, Baijnath, Bajaura and Bharmour temples of Himachal Pradesh and Manwal temples of Jammu & Kashmir. The Takri inscription found at Krimchi temple engraved on the basement of a temple entrance indicates the date of its construction between 9^th -10^th century CE. These temples find mention in History of the Panjab Hill States written by J. Ph. Vogel and John Hutchison.

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/krimchi-group-of-temples-temple-complex.html

Connectivity

The temple complex is located at about 7 Kms from Chak Rakhwal, 13 Kms from Udhampur Bus Stand, 15 Kms from Udhampur Railway Station, 24 Kms from Panchari, 34 Kms from Katra, 67 Kms from Jammu, 87 Kms from Jammu Airport, 212 Kms from Srinagar and 212 Kms from Srinagar Airport. The temple complex is situated on Udhampur – Panchari route.

Location | Photos

Krimchi Group of Temples, Jammu and Kashmir

Legends

History

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/krimchi-group-of-temples-temple-complex.html

Connectivity

Location | Photos

Krimchi Group of Temples – The Temple Complex

Krimchi Group of Temples is a complex of seven ancient temples, located on a hillock, in the foothills of Shivalik Hills, between two small streams Bishma and Krimchi. Out of seven temples, four are larger temples and the rest three are smaller temples. Only five of the seven temples are in good condition. The temples were constructed of locally available sand stone. All the temples exhibit striking Hellenistic features in their architectural style due to the influence of Indo Greek culture prevalent in the region during ancient times.

The Temples at Krimchi are marked as No. 1 to 7 by ASI for easy reference. Temples No. 1,2,3,6 and 7 are built on a common raised platform. Temple No. 4 is built on much higher platform. All the temples are facing towards east except Temple No. 3. The Krimchi temple complex follows the classical style, with sanctum, a shikhara over the sanctum, an amalaka or a crowning ornament on top of the shikhara, a mandapa in front of the sanctum, an antarala between the mandapa and the sanctum.

Temple No. 1:

This temple is facing towards east. It is the most developed and ornamented among the temples in the complex. The Sanctum houses an idol of four armed Vaikuntha Vishnu. It depicts large size mouldings, niches for Dikpalakas and Saptamatrikas in addition to Parsvadevatas. All the niches possess pediment design decoration resting on two pillars.

Temple No. 2:

This temple is facing towards east. It is more elaborate on plan and higher in elevation. It has an intact mandapa, whereas all the other temples are survived with the remnants of a mandapa. It can be inferred that it had a roof in pyramidal shape. Its mandapa is entered through three trifoliate arches. The mandapa usually stands on the vertical pillars and these pillars were decorated with various motifs.

Horizontal columns on which variety of geometrical motif fixed as ceiling slabs support these pillars. Initially, the mandapa used to be very small in dimension but with passage of time as number of devotees arose the mandapa was enlarged in the form of Ardha Mandapa to accommodate more devotees. The two small shrines on the same platform are survived with only plinths.

Temple No. 3:

This temple is facing towards west. It is considered to be the oldest and smallest temple in the complex. The temple consists of a square sanctum with a pyramidal roof and antrala. The antarala of the temple is provided with a wagon or horse vaulted roof.

Temple No. 4:

This temple is facing towards east. It is built over a raised platform. The temple can be accessed through flight of steps from three sides. It is revealed during an excavation by ASI that this temple on brick structure datable to post Gupta period constructed over 70×50 ft plinth area.

Temple No. 5:

This temple is facing towards east. It is built at a lower level compared to the other temples in the complex. The doorjambs of the sanctum are richly decorated with sculptures of river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna. The exterior walls of the temple has traces of niches.

Sculptures:

The shikaras, walls, pillars and doorjambs are richly decorated with sculptures of dvarapalas, divine figures, semi-divine figures, river goddesses, dikpalakas, floral motifs and geometric patterns.

Sculptural Shed:

Several sculptures, terracotta figurines, copper coins, iron arrow heads, bead of some precious stones, pestles and earthen pots found during the excavations in the temple complex and nearby area are exhibited in a shed for the visitors. Ruins of stone pillars with their bases & capitals, a sculpture of a male torso and a footprint on a stone slab excavated near the Devika river, which flows near the temple can be seen in the temple premises.

Kakapora Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

Kakapora Temple is a Hindu Temple located in Kakapora Town in Pulwama District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Temple is situated on the banks of the Jehlum River and Romshi, one of the tributaries of the Jhelum River. This temple is one of the less studied and unexplored temple in Jammu and Kashmir. The temple is located close to Asian Masjid in Astan Mohallah Kakapora. Kakapora is often referred to as the rice bowl of Kashmir The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

Kakapora is a historical place associated with King Avantivarman of Utpala dynasty and finds mention in Rajatarangini, a legendary and historical chronicle written by Kashmiri historian Kalhana. The temple was built in 10^th century CE. The temple was under worship by Kashmiri Pandits till 1980’s. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Temple

The temple is built in the centre of a courtyard enclosed by peristyle. Only base of the sanctum and a few cells of the peristyle are preserved. A sculpture of a female (locals call this sculpture as Rani) and a bath tub can be found in the temple premises.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Kakapora Railway Station, 6 Kms from Parigam Main Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Pulwama, 11 Kms from Awantipora, 24 Kms from Srinagar, 27 Kms from Srinagar Airport, 37 Kms from Anantnag and 245 Kms from Jammu. The temple is situated on Srinagar to Pulwama route via Pampore.

Location

Brahmeswara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Brahmeswara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India. The temple is situated on the right side of the Tankapani road leading from Ravi talkies to Tankapani. It is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle.

History

The temple was built in the 18^th regnal year of the Somavamsi king Udyota Kesari by his mother Kolavati Devi, which corresponds to 1058 CE based on the inscription once fixed to the wall of the jagamohana of the main shrine. The inscription was currently in Kolkata. The inscription indicates that the temple was built with four Natyasalas at a place known as Siddha tirtha in Ekamra (modern day Bhubaneswar). As the inscription is not in its original place, historians indicate the possibility of the reference to another temple, but based on the location and other features specified, it is ascertained that the inscription belongs to the temple.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. This temple is in the Panchayatana style of architecture. Panchayatana is an architectural style where the main shrine is built on a raised platform with four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners and making it a total of five shrines. The temple consists of entrance porch, jagamohana of pidha order and vimana of rekha order. All the four subsidiary shrines are of rekha order. The entrance porch has large door frame with Gaja Lakshmi accompanied by Navagrahas at its lintel.

The vimana and jagamohana are square on plan. The vimana is about 18.96 m (62.2 ft) tall. The interior of the vimana is plain whereas the jagamohana of the temple ceiling is carved with the lotus medallion surrounded by sculptural friezes of royal procession, deer hunting scene, etc. The temple is Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation. Presiding Deity is called as Brahmesvara and is housed in the sanctum in the form of Linga within a circular yonipitha.

Niches on kanika pagas have Dikpalas and anartha pagas have various Shiva aspects. Only six of the Dikpalas have survived. Windows are provided on rahapagas of south and north. Kartikeya, Parvati and Ganesha are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls. The temple also houses idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Shiva in fierce form. Several images related to tantric activities can also be seen here.

Festivals

Shivarathri and Kartika Purnima are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/brahmeswara-temple-bhubaneswar-connectivity.html

Location | Photos

Brahmeswara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2.5 Kms from Lingaraj Temple, 5 Kms from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, 5 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport, 6 Kms from Lingaraj Temple Road Railway Station, 9 Kms from Baramunda Bus Stand, 19 Kms from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station, 36 Kms from Cuttack and 55 Kms from Puri. The temple is situated on the right side of the Tankapani road leading from Ravi talkies to Tankapani. Bhubaneswar is well connected to rest of India by Train, Air and Land.

By Road:

Bhubaneswar is connected to the rest of Odisha and India by National Highway-NH 16, NH 203, State Highway 13 (Odisha) and State Highway 27 (Odisha). Asian Highway – AH 45 passes through the city. Baramunda Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is the major bus terminus in the city from where buses ply to all the districts in Odisha as well as to neighboring state's cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Raipur and Ranchi. City bus service (Mo Bus) runs across Bhubaneswar by Capital Region Urban Transport Authority run by Bhubaneswar Development Authority.

By Train:

By Air:

Yagnesvari Temple, Nuagaon, Odisha

Yagnesvari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi, located in Nuagaon Village near Chaudwar Town in Cuttack District in Odisha State, India. The temple is situated on the western outskirt of the Nuagaon village.

History

The temple was built in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple was rebuilt by the locals recently.

The Temple

The Temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of pidha vimana and rectangular flat roofed jagamohana. The vimana is square on plan whereas the jagamohana is rectangular. Both the structures are of recent origin. The vimana stands over the base of an earlier temple.

The sanctum enshrines a four-armed Chamunda seated in ardhaparyanka posture over a corpse. She is locally called as Yajnesvari. Sculptures of Udyotasimha, Bhairava, Kshetrapal, bust part of Kartikeya, maithuna and architectural fragments can be seen in the temple premises.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2.5 Kms from OTM Chowk Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Chaudwar Railway Station, 12 Kms from Cuttack Junction Railway Station, 13 Kms from Cuttack, 38 Kms from Bhubaneshwar and 42 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport. The Temple is located at about 2.5 Kms from OTM Chowk Bus Stop in Chaudwar on Cuttack – Sambalpur highway (NH – 55).

Location

Yajna Varaha Temple, Jajpur – The Temple Complex

The temple complex is located at an elevation of 15 feet (4.6 m), on an island created by two branches of the Vaitarani River. This temple is facing towards east. The temple complex measures at about 98 feet X 131 feet. The Sanctum Sanctorum is built over a raised plinth. It measures at about 83 feet X 39.4 feet. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of rekha vimana, antarala and pidha jagamohana. The Sanctum Sanctorum is Pancharatha on plan and Panchangabada in elevation.

Both the vimana and jagamohana are square on plan. The interior of the jagamohana and antarala are decorated with modern paintings of floral and animal or bird motifs. Sculptures of Saivite dvarapala, head of Brahma and Astikajaratkaru (the goddess Manasa cradles her child Astika or a dead man who is revived) can be seen in the walls of the jagamohana. A Garuda pillar can be seen in the middle of the jagamohana. The Sanctum houses two idols of Varaha, an idol of Lakshmi and an idol of Jagannatha.

The Jagannatha idol is made of wood whereas others are made of stone. All the images are kept over a high pedestal. The niches in the talajangha of the jagamohana has images of the Buddhist deity Prajnaparamita, Vishnu, Kalyana Sundara, Narasimha, Ganga, Varaha, Parvati, Giridhari Govardana and dancing panels. The brackets supporting the gandi (temple pinnacle) have erotic sculptures of male and female figures and figurines of bharabahaka (goblins supporting the roof) and mother and child.

The talajangha of the vimana exhibits erotic sculptures, mother and child, and amorous couples. Musicians, devotees and Yamuna (a river goddess) are carved on the upara jangha. The pinnacle is Pancharatha (containing five Pagas or segments) in nature and decorated with figures of the udyotasimha (lion with lolling tongue) and gajasimhas (the lion riding an elephant), all on central pagas (raha), except the main paga which bears a Varaha image.

Bimala Temple:

The temple is situated on the south side inside Yajna Varaha Temple. This temple is facing towards east. The temple is Pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The temple consists of rekha vimana and a pillared frontal porch. The vimana is square on plan whereas the frontal porch is rectangular on plan. The Sanctum houses goddess Bimala with a Shiva Linga. Udyota Simha can be seen on each raha. Idols of Matru Murti and Hanuman can be seen on either side of the entrance.

Hara Gouri Temple:

The temple is situated to the south east of the Yajna Varaha temple within the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built by Gangas in 15^th century CE. This temple is facing towards south. The temple has a pidha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order and half of its bada is buried in the ground. This shrine measures 3.2 by 2.9 metres (10.5 by 9.5 ft) with a partial visible height of 4 metres (13 ft) as the rest of the shrine is below the ground.

The Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Hara Gouri in the form of Ekamukhi Shiva Linga. Udyota Simha can be seen on the northern raha. Idols of a four-armed Vishnu and four armed Ganesha can be seen on the wall at the entrance of the temple. During the rainy months and floods in the river, the sanctum, which is below the ground level, gets submerged.

Kharakhia Varaha Temple:

The temple is situated to south of the Yajna Varaha temple within the temple complex. The temple is facing towards north. The temple consists of pidha vimana and pillared pidha frontal porch. The vimana is square on plan whereas the frontal porch is rectangular on plan. The original structure is dated to 15^th century during the reign of Gajapati kings. This temple has been refurbished as a modern temple structure (with bricks and cement mortar) with measurements of 5.25 by 5.15 metres (17.2 by 16.9 ft) in plan with a height of 5 metres (16 ft). The Sanctum enshrines idols of Varaha and Lakshmi.

Mukteswara Temple:

The temple is situated to the south of the Yajna Varaha temple, within the temple complex. The temple is facing towards east. The temple is triratha on plan and has plain bada in elevation. The temple has a single pidha vimana of impoverished Kalingan order. The vimana is square on plan. The Sanctum houses Mukteswara in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. Udyota Simha can be seen on the northern raha. The temple is buried half of its bada and during rainy season the sanctum is submerged due to the high-water level of the adjoining river Vaitarani.

Gadadhara Vishnu Temple:

The temple is located in front of the Yajna Varaha temple within the temple complex. This temple is facing towards west. The temple is triratha on plan and triangabada in elevation. It is a pidha temple of impoverished Kalingan order. The Sanctum houses idols of Narasimha and Vishnu.

Samadhi of a bird:

There is a samadhi of a bird in the temple premises. It is said that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited this temple and sat under a Banyan tree. A small bird landed on lap of the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, sang few songs and left its mortal coil to heaven. The Banyan tree is still present in the temple premises. The base of the tree is considered as the Samadhi of the bird.

Other shrines:

Shrines of Surya, Jagannath, Kasi Biswanath, Chaitanya Pada Pitha (housing the footprints of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), Navagrahas, Sunya Vedi and Chamunda can be seen in the temple premises.

Loose Sculptures:

The temple also houses few loose sculptures of four armed Ganesha, Trivikrama, Dhyani Buddha, Narasimha, Brahma, Uma Mahesvara Moorthy, Vamana and a broken sculpture of Lord Vishnu.

Yajna Varaha Temple, Jajpur – Legends

Jajpur:

As per legend, when Lord Brahma was performing Aswamedha Yajna, he found that the Vedas were stolen. He requested Lord Vishnu for help to retrieve them. As soon as the yajna was completed, Lord Vishnu emerged from the sacrificial fire in the form of a boar (Varaha) with the stolen scriptures. It is believed that the Yajna was performed at this place. Hence, the place came to be called as Yajnapura and later got corrupted to Jajpur. As per another folklore, Lord Brahma completes ten Ashvamedha yajnas, after which Varaha appears.

Gada Kshetra:

As per legend, Lord Vishnu after killing the demon Gayasura, to commemorate his victory, placed his Sankha (Conch) in Puri, Chakra (Disc) in Bhubaneswar, Gada (Mace) in Jajpur and Padma (Lotus) in Konark and these places came to be called as Sankha Kshetra, Chakra Kshetra, Gada Kshetra and Padma Kshetra respectively.

Varaha Kshetra:

Lord Vishnu appeared here as Yajna Varaha, Sveta Varaha, Lakshmi Varaha and Padma Varaha in all four Yugas. Hence, the place came to be called as Varaha Kshetra.

Yajna Varaha Temple, Jajpur, Odisha

Yajna Varaha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in Jajpur Town in Jajpur District in Odisha State, India. The Temple is also called as Varahanatha Temple. It is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle. The temple complex is located on the left bank of the river Vaitarani, opposite to the Dasasvamedhaghata. The temple complex is situated on a picturesque island created by two branches of the Vaitarani River.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/yajna-varaha-temple-jajpur-legends.html

History

The temple was built by Gajapati King Prataparudra Deva (1497–1540 CE) under the guidance of Kasi Mishra, Raja Guru of Prataparudra Deva. The Hindu saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534), who was instrumental in establishing the Chaitanya Math and propagated Vaishnavism visited this temple, on his way from Puri in 1510 CE. The temple was reconstructed by Maratha ruler Raghoji I Bhonsle (1739–1755 CE). It is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/08/yajna-varaha-temple-jajpur-temple-complex.html

Festivals

Chandana Yatra, Sunia, Kartika Purnima, Baula Amavasya, Maha Varuni Yatra, Shivarathri, Kartika Purnima and Varaha Janmashtami are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 750 metres from Jajpur Bus Stand, 30 Kms from Jajpur Keonjhar Road Railway Station, 80 Kms from Cuttack, 103 Kms from Bhubaneshwar and 106 Kms from Bhubaneshwar Airport. Jajpur is well connected to Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar. Regular Buses are available from Cuttack and Bhubaneshwar to Jajpur Town.

Location | Photos

Sun Temple, Budhni, Uttar Pradesh

Sun Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Surya located in Budhni Village in Mahroni Taluk in Lalitpur District of Uttar Pradesh, India. This Temple was built by the Chandelas in the 12^th Century CE. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

The Temple originally consisted of sanctum, maha mandapa and entrance porch. It is said that the shikara over the sanctum had seven tiers in the ancient past but only two tiers are remaining currently. The temple is in dilapidated state. The doorway of the sanctum is intricately carved with miniature figures and ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The sanctum enshrines an eight feet tall idol of Surya. Both his hands were broken. Sculptures of gods and goddess of Hindu pantheon and architectural fragments can be seen in the temple premises. A step well can be seen near this temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 18 Kms from Mahroni, 40 Kms from Tikamgarh, 43 Kms from Tikamgarh Railway Station, 52 Kms from Lalitpur, 58 Kms from Lalitpur Junction Railway Station, 59 Kms from Lalitpur Airport, 137 Kms from Jhansi, 184 Kms from Khajuraho, 226 Kms from Bhopal, 232 Kms from Bhopal Airport and 403 Kms from Lucknow. Lalitpur Railway Station has very good rail connections with major Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Patna, Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Saugor, Puri, Allahabad, Bengaluru, Damoh and Jhansi. Nearest Airport is located at Lalitpur. Nearest major Airports are located at Khajuraho and Bhopal.

Location

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