Kanti Deul, Ratanpur, Chattisgarh

Kanti Deul, Ratanpur, Chattisgarh

Kanti Deul is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Ratanpur Town in Bilaspur District in Chattisgarh State, India. The Temple is also called as Kanthi Dewal. The Temple is situated in the Mahamaya Temple complex. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is said to have been built by an ascetic named Santosh Giri in 1039 CE and later extensively renovated by Kalchuri King Prithivideva II in the 15^th century CE. The temples were recently reconstructed based on the original plan by Archaeological Survey of India. It is said that few skeletons were unearthed during the excavation below the sanctum in one of the temple indicating that the temple might have been a burial shrine for some king.

The Temple

The temple complex consists of two temples. The temples were recently reconstructed based on the original plan by Archaeological Survey of India. The temple follows Indo-Saracenic architecture style. The larger temple in the complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is made of red stones. It houses a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. It has an octagonal shikara.

Sculptures of Chamunda, Salabhanjika, Kalachuri King, a lady feeding a child, Lingodbhava, Lord Shiva with his consort Parvati and Vishnu can be found in the exterior walls of the temple. These Sculptures are dated from 9^th to 12^th century CE much older than the temple itself. The temple has entrances on all four sides. The smaller temple in the complex is provided with pyramidal shikara.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Ratanpur Bus Stand. Ratanpur is located at about 25 Kms from Bilaspur, 30 Kms from Bilaspur Junction Railway Station, 38 Kms from Bilaspur Airport, 65 Kms from Pali, 142 Kms from Raipur and 159 Kms from Raipur Airport. Ratanpur is situated on NH 130 connects Bilaspur to Ambikapur. Frequent Buses are available from Bilaspur.

Location