Kaneshvar Mahadev Temple,
Sihawa, Chattisgarh
Kaneshvar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Lord
Shiva located in Sihawa in Dhamtari District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The temple is situated
on the northern banks of Mahanadhi River. The Temple is one of the
protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by
Archaeological Survey of India.
History
Kanker
was ruled by Somavanshi kings from 11th Century AD to the first half
of 14th century AD. Somavanshi rulers made Sihawa region as
their secondary capital besides Kanker. A Sanskrit inscription in Nagari
script dated to 1192 AD by Somavanshi King Karna Dev states that the temple
complex was built by him. Sihawa was an important pargana of the princely state
of Bastar until 1830.
The Temple
The
temple complex consists of five ancient temples, built by Somavanshi King Karna
Dev of Kanker in Sihawa. These temple groups are known as Karneswar
Mahadev Temple Group. Among them, the prominent temple is Karneswar
Temple. The second temple is the Ram Janaki Temple. This Temple houses new
marble idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman, two Vishnu idols and ancient idol of
Sun.
The
third and fourth temple houses idols of Ganesha and Durga. The fifth temple is
a small temple housing an idol of Sun. A Temple Pond can be seen nearby.
Remains of an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu can be seen on the banks
of the River. It is believed that this temple was built by Queen Bhopal Devi of
Karna Dev. All these temples are built in Kalingan style.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Sihawa Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Nagari, 5 Kms
from Nagari Bus Stand, 57 Kms from Kanker, 67 Kms from Dhamtari, 69 Kms from Dhamtari
Railway Station and 117 Kms from Raipur Airport. The Temple is situated on
Kanker to Nagari Route.
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