Pataleshvar Temple, Malhar,
Chattisgarh
Pataleshvar
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva located in Malhar Town in Bilaspur District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.
The Temple was called as Kedareshvara Temple during ancient times. This
temple has been declared of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites & Remains Act 1958 and under the control of
Archeological Survey of India.
History
Malhar,
an ancient town consists of ruins of two temples and a mud fort. The oldest
known sculpture of Vishnu with four-arm figure holding shankha, chakra and gada
dated to c. 200 BCE was found in Malhar, Chhattisgarh. Malhar is referred as
Mallala Pattana in the 12th Century CE Kalchuri Inscriptions. Malhar was under
the control of Mauryas, Guptas, Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Sarabhapuriyas, Panduvamshi of Mekala,
Panduvamshis of Kosala and Somavamshis, Kalchuris and Marathas. The temple
(called as Kedareshvara Temple in ancient times) was constructed by Somaraja of
Gangadhara,
a Brahmana, under the reign of Kalchuri
ruler Jajalladeva II in 12th CE.
The Temple
The
temple is facing towards west. The Temple was constructed in Bhumija style. The
Temple is Triratha on plan. The temple is constructed on a raised platform with
entrances provided on three sides. The Temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala and
pillared Mandapam. There might be a pillared mandapa in front of the sanctum as
evident from the remains of various pillars.
The
sanctum doorway has life-size sculptures of river goddesses Ganga & Yamuna
and dvarapalas. The sanctum is located at about 5 meters below the ground floor.
The antarala has a staircase which takes the devotee down to the sanctum. There
is a Shiva-lingam inside the sanctum. Since, the Shiva Lingam is located below
ground level, the deity came to be called as Pataleshvar.
The
Sikhara portion of this temple is lost completely. There is a Nandi outside the
temple facing the sanctum. There is a sculptural shed housing various unearthed
sculptures around the village. The Shed was constructed in 1974-75. Remains of
temple ruins, sculptures, friezes and idols can be found in the temple
premises.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
400 meters from Malhar Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Masturi, 27 Kms from Bilaspur
Junction Railway Station, 30 Kms
from Bilaspur, 30 Kms from Bilaspur Airport, 39 Kms from Baloda Bazar, 126 Kms
from Raipur and 134 Kms from Raipur Airport. Malhar is situated at about 13 Kms to the southwest of Masturi on Bilaspur
– Shivrinarayan Route. Public transport is available from Bilaspur however
frequency is limited.
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