Anateshwar
Mahadev Temple, Anandpur,
Gujarat
Anateshwar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located in Anandpur Village in Chotila Taluk in Surendranagar District,
in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is situated
at the fort of the Thanga Hill. The Temple is one of the protected
monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological
Survey of India.
History
Anandpur was an outpost of the
kings of Anhilwad Patan in ancient times. The
temple is believed to be built by Jayasimha Siddharaja, but the local tribe
known as Charans believe that the temple was built by Raja Anant Chudasma in 1068
CE. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Anantesvar and got corrupted to Anteshvar.
The temple suffered destruction at the hands of Mohammed of Ghazni. Anandpur
was abandoned in 1264 CE and it was repopulated by the Kathis in 1608 CE. The temple
rooms were used as hiding place during Indian rebellion of 1857
CE. They are now known as Brahmachari's Residence. The temple was renovated by
Kathis in 1857 CE.
The Temple is facing towards
east. The Temple consists of sanctum, antrala and mukha mandapa. The mukha
mandapa is an open pillared mandapa with a domical roof. It is of recent addition
to the temple. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Anateshwar, in the form
of Shiva Linga. The shikara over the sanctum follows Bhumija style of architecture.
The Shikhara is made up of miniature shrines called Urushringa all the way up
culminating in the horizontal fluted disc called the Amalaka ending with
the Kalash. The exterior of the sanctum is elaborately carved.
Festivals
A fair is held at the temple during
the month of Shravan (July–August).
Connectivity
The Temple
is located at about 11 Kms from Kamlapur, 26 Kms from Jasdan, 28 Kms from Chotila, 28 Kms from Chotila
Railway Station, 50 Kms from Rajkot, 52
Kms from Rajkot Airport, 86 Kms from Surendranagar and 194 Kms from
Ahmedabad. The temple is situated on Jasdan to Chotila route.
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