Pataleshvar Temple, Malhar, Chattisgarh

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 12^th 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. 

Location | Photos