Mahadev Temple, Deobaloda – The Temple

Mahadev Temple, Deobaloda – The Temple

The temple is east facing, built of sand stone. The temple is built on raised platform. It has a sanctum and a pillared Navaranga Mandapa (hall). The Mandapa can be reached by a flight of steps. The mandapa pillars are adorned with images of Bhairava, Vishnu, Mahishasura Mardini (a form of Devi Durga who killed the demon Mahishasura), Shiva, musicians, dancers and Kirtimukha designs.

Nandi can be found outside the temple facing the sanctum. It is housed in a four pillared Mandapam. A small pillar nearby has a sati idol standing with folded hands, a trident is buried nearby. The shikhara (tower over the sanctum) which is supposed to have been built in Nagara style is missing.  The Sanctum houses a Shiva Linga of about 1.5 feet in height, which is approached through a highly ornate door entrance guarded by Shaiva Dvarapalas.

The idols of Goddess Parvati, Ganesha and Hanuman can be found inside the sanctum. The exterior of the temple near the entrance is adorned with decorated band of Gaja, Asva and Nara. The temple wall portion has two decorated segments adorned with images of Tripurantaka Shiva, Gajantaka Shiva, Narasimha, Radha Krishna, Ganesha, Varaha, Lakshmi along with other depictions of Gods and Goddesses.

One can find pictorial representation of hunting, hunters and bull fighting on the walls of temple. Like the Khajuraho's temples, this Shiva Temple also has the traditional erotic form of Devi Devta and the carved statue is the center of attraction. The Temple courtyard has a store house like shed where one can see antique idols and statues that have been found during excavation, which may have belonged to the temple.

There is a shrine of Shitla Mata. Many idols of stone gods are kept in this shrine. The temple is having a Kund and it is believed to be connected to another old town Arang of Chhattisgarh state through a tunnel. The Kund is having 23 steps and 2 wells beside it. One of the well is perennial.