Mahadeva Temple, Pali, Chattisgarh

Mahadeva Temple, Pali, Chattisgarh

Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva located in Pali in Korba District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. This is an east facing temple, situated on the banks of a large pond. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

Banas were originally ruling over Karnataka and Tamilnadu area as a feudatory under the Pallavas. Vikramaditya I of the Bana dynasty was ruling in the last quarter of the 9^th Century AD. Udayachandra, a Pallava general of Emperor Nandivarman Pallavamalla of Pallava Dynasty of Tamil Nadu invaded Central India and defeated Purushavyaghra, a King ruling over Bastar. The Bana chiefs accompanied Pallava general took control over the areas captured by Pallava General. Further, Banas pushed further north and conquered Pali also.

As per the inscription in the sanctum door of the temple, the temple was built by King Vikramaditya I, the son of Maha Mandalesvara Malladeva of Bana Dynasty. The same King was mentioned in Gudimallam grant of Andhra Pradesh. Pali came under the control of Haihayas or Kalachuris of Ratanpur after the Banas. Inscriptions of the Kalachuri King Jajalladeva I dated to 12^th Century AD can be found in this Temple.

The Temple

This is an east facing temple, situated on the banks of a large pond. This Temple is built over raised platform. The Temple consists of sanctum and Mandapa. The Mandapam had undergone extensive renovations. Due to the renovations, it is currently octagonal in shape. The roof of the mandapa is in the rudimentary form of dome. Nandi can be found facing the sanctum. The sanctum door is built with three panels on each door jamb.

River Goddess Ganga and Yamuna can be found at the base of the door jamb. Dvarapalas can also be found at the door jamb. An image of Shiva can be found in the center of the lintel, while an image of Brahma and Vishnu are on the either side. Navagraha Panel can be found on the door lintel. The sanctum houses a Shiva Lingam of recent origin.

Tripurantaka and Kartikeya can be found on the niches in the southern wall of the vimana. Surya and Lord Shiva can be found on the niches in the western wall of the vimana. Chamunda and Lord Shiva can be found on the niches in the northern wall of the vimana. The exterior walls of Sanctum and Mandapam are carved with beautiful sculptures. Two Friezes run over the sanctum exterior.

These friezes contains apsaras, Gandharvas, dancers and amorous couples. These friezes are cut by niches at regular intervals. The pond near the entrance of this temple has nine corners. This pond has been found to be water filled throughout the year. Few Idols and ancient coins were found in this pond while the archeological department excavated this place for making boundary walls.

Inscriptions

There are few inscriptions found in the temple. As per the inscription in the sanctum door of the temple, the temple was built by King Vikramaditya I, the son of Maha Mandalesvara Malladeva of Bana Dynasty. Inscriptions of the Kalachuri King Jajalladeva I dated to 12^th Century AD can be found in this Temple. An inscription of an ascetic is also found inside the temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 400 meters from Pali Bus Stop, 30 Kms from Katghora, 47 Kms from Bilaspur, 49 Kms from Bilaspur Junction Railway Station, 52 Kms from Korba, 59 Kms from Bilaspur Airport and 164 Kms from Raipur. The Temple is situated on Bilaspur to Katghora Route. Public buses ply from Bilaspur on regular intervals.

Location