Dholkal Ganesh Temple, Dantewada – Legends

Dholkal Ganesh Temple, Dantewada – Legends

As per local legend, Sage Parashurama wanted to meet Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesha, leader of Ganas, did not allow Parasurama to meet Lord Shiva. Angry Parasurama tried to enter Lord Shiva abode forcefully. As a result, furious Lord Ganesha threw him on earth. He fell down at the Bailadila mountain range. When Parshuram gained consciousness, a war broke out between him and Ganesha.

During the war, Parashurama took out his weapon, Farsa (a kind of weapon made of iron) and cut one tooth of Ganesha. Hence, Lord Ganesha came to be called as Ekdant. The village at the foot hills hill came to be called as Farsapal (name derived from Parashurama’s weapon). It is also said that, because Parashurama’s Farsa fell here, the Bailadila mountain range became rich in iron ore.

In memory of the battle between Sage Parashurama and Lord Ganesha, the kings of Chindaka Nagavanshi dynasty set a stone idol of Lord Ganesha at the hilltop. The idol is situated in a hill on top of a boulder, shape of which resembles a dholak (Indian drum), and hence, it became popularly known as Dholkal.