Janjgir Vishnu Temple, Chattisgarh

Janjgir Vishnu Temple, Chattisgarh

Janjgir Vishnu Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu located in Janjgir Town in Janjgir – Champa District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The Temple is situated on the banks of Bhima Talab Pond. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/06/janjgir-vishnu-temple-legends.html

History

Janjgir was known as Jajallapura in ancient times. Jajallapura was founded by the Kalchuri King Jajalladeva I in 12^th Century CE as per Ratanpur inscription. Hence, the temple can be assigned to Kalchuri King Jajalladeva I. The construction of the temple began in the 12^th century, but it was never completed. They tried to construct the temple in two parts. Unfortunately, they could not assemble the two parts in time. Usually the construction of a temple can be understood by the architecture of its Shikhara (crowning). However, this temple does not have any Shikhara. Hence, the temple came to be called as Nakata Mandir (Incomplete Temple) by the locals.

The Temple

This is an east facing Temple. The temple is built of red clay bricks and constructed over a high raised platform. The temple is built on Saptaratha plan. It consists of a mandapa, antarala and sanctum. The main door consists of images of river goddesses, Ganga & Yamuna, Dvarapalas and human form of weapons of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu in the centre and Lord Brahma & Lord Shiva at extreme end can be found in the door lintel.

Navagrahas can be found in between the Hindu trinity. An image of Lord Vishnu riding over Garuda is present in the second slab of the lintel. Presiding Deity is Lord Vishnu, housed in the sanctum. The idol of Lord Vishnu has four arms, each holding flower, conch, wheel and Abhaya hasta.

Rare idols of Gandharvas and Kinnaras are also found here. There are many small miniature panels found in the platform walls. These miniature panels depicts scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Friezes of elephant and lion run around the temple walls. Dashavatara images of Vishnu and images of Shaiva can be found on the external walls.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Janjgir Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Janjgir Naila Railway Station, 10 Kms from Champa, 51 Kms from Bilaspur, 58 Kms from Bilaspur Airport, 150 Kms from Raipur and 158 Kms from Raipur Airport. Janjgir is well connected by railways and roads and is connected to major cities like Bilaspur and Raipur through National Highway. Public buses ply from Bilaspur on regular intervals.

Janjgir is a connected with SEC railway and its railway station is Janjgir-Naila. It is well connected to the rest of the country through the Indian Railways. The station is on the main Mumbai-Kolkata (Calcutta) rail line with daily connections to Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Nagpur, Puri, Vishakhapatnam and Ahmedabad. 

Location | Photos