Mahadeva Temple, Jagannathpur, Chattisgarh

Mahadeva Temple, Jagannathpur, Chattisgarh

Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva located in Jagannathpur Village in Balod Tehsil in Durg District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. The temple was believed to be built in 10^th – 12^th century CE. The temple is situated on the banks of River Tandula. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

The temple is a 16 pillared mandapa. The mandapa enshrines a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. There is a medallion on the ceiling of the mandapa. There is a pyramidal superstructure over the mandapa.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 10 Kms from Balod Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Balod Railway Station, 11 Kms from Balod, 19 Kms from Arjunda, 46 Kms from Rajnandgaon, 55 Kms from Durg and 107 Kms from Raipur Airport. The temple is situated on Balod to Arjunda route.

Location

Shiva Temple & Chaturbhuj Temple, Dhamdha, Chattisgarh

Shiva Temple & Chaturbhuj Temple, Dhamdha, Chattisgarh

Shiva Temple & Chaturbhuj Temple is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to the Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu located in Dhamdha Town in Dhamdha Tehsil in Durg District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. This temple was built in 14^th – 15^th century CE. The temples are situated between Budha talab and Chaugadhia talab. The Temples are one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple Complex

The Temple Complex consists of two temples. One temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and another temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Both the temples are facing towards west.

Shiva Temple:

The temple consists of sanctum and ardha mandapa. Nandi can be found outside the temple facing the sanctum. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. The upper part of the shikara is missing.

Chaturbuja Temple:

The temple consists of sanctum and a frontal porch. The sanctum enshrines an image of four-armed Lord Vishnu.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 750 metres from Dhamdha Bus Stand, 32 Kms from Durg Junction Railway Station, 34 Kms from Durg, 35 Kms from Bhilai, 43 Kms from Bemetra, 47 Kms from Raipur and 64 Kms from Raipur Airport. The Temple is situated on Durg to Bemetra route.

Location | Photos

Devgarh Group of Temples, Chattisgarh

Devgarh Group of Temples, Chattisgarh

Devgarh Group of Temples are group of Hindu Temples dedicated to the Lord Shiva and Goddess Sakthi located in Devgarh Village in Ambikapur Tehsil in Surguja District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. The temples are situated on the banks of River Ren (Rehar River). The Temples are one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Shiva Temple might have been built during the 11^th – 12^th century CE and the Devi Temple might have been built during 12^th – 13^th century CE.

The Group of Temples

Devgarh Village houses two major temples namely Shiva Temple and Devi Temple. It also houses several temple ruins spread throughout the village.

Shiva Temple:

The current structure is of recent origin. The sanctum enshrines an ancient Ek Mukhi Shiva Linga with yonipitha. The temple also has idols of Nandi, Surya, Uma Maheshwara and a Mukhalinga.

Devi Temple:

The Temple is also called as Chherika Deur. This temple is located at about 500 metres from the Shiva Temple. The temple consists of sanctum, vestibule and mandapa. The ceiling of the mandapa and the superstructure of the sanctum is missing. The mandapa houses images of Lakulisa, Ganesha, Kartikeya and the lower part of Mahishasura Mardhini. Nandi can be found facing the sanctum.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 14 Kms from Lakhanpur, 14 Kms from Lakhanpur Bus Stand, 17 Kms from Udaipur, 28 Kms from Bishrampur Railway Station, 38 Kms from Ambikapur, 42 Kms from Ambikapur Railway Station and 201 Kms from Bilaspur Airport. The temple is located at about 14 Kms from Lakhanpur off the Bilaspur – Ambikapur highway.

Location | Photos

Bhand Deul Temple, Arang, Chattisgarh

Bhand Deul Temple, Arang, Chattisgarh

Bhand Deul Temple is a Jain Temple dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras located in Arang Town in Arang Tehsil in Raipur District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. It is also one of the rare temple which has all 24 Jain Tirthankaras carved on a single stone. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Chattisgarh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, Lord Krishna appeared disguised as a Brahmin before king Murddhawaja of the Haihaya dynasty and asked for dakshina. The king happily offered the brahmin whatever dakshina he wanted. The disguised Brahmin asked for one half of the king's body. The king immediately ordered that he should be cut off and one half given must be given as dakshina to the brahmin. As he was about to be cut in half, a tear drop fell from one of the eyes.

The Brahmin asked the king if the tear drop reflected his regret in accepting his request. The king replied no, adding that the half of the body which he did not ask for weeps as it too would like to be a part of the dakshina. Lord Krishna then revealed himself and blessed the king for his devotion. Thus, the place came to be called as Arang. The name Arang is formed of two words ara meaning saw and anga meaning body.

History

The Temple was built in 9th century CE by the Kalachuri Kings. It is a protected monument under the Raipur circle of Archaeological Survey of India, since 1920. Arang flourished as the centre of Hindu and Jain religious faiths under the rule of Kalachuris. Arang has many Jain and Hindu temples that date backs to the 9th to 11th centuries. Arang also finds mention in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

A copper plate inscription dated to the Gupta period, known as the Arang Plate of Bhimasena II of the clan of Rajarsitulya was unearthed at Arang. It attests to the reign of this dynasty over Chhattisgarh, particularly of Bhimasena II and five rulers who preceded him. It is inferred that they were vassals of the Gupta Empire.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west and is built over a raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum, mandapa and an entrance porch on plan. The mandapa and the entrance porch was completely lost. The sanctum is stellate and pancharatha in plan. The sanctum enshrines three images of Jain tirthankaras namely Ajitanatha, Neminath and Shreyanasanatha in kayotsarga posture.

All the images are carved ornately in black stone and highly polished. The tower follows nagara style of architecture. The tower is about five tiers. The front side of the tower has been plastered without any decoration. The north-east and south-east faces of the temple tower were also dilapidated and have been reconstructed in brick and mortar, but crudely.

The exterior walls has two rows of sculptures. The exterior of the temple is decorated with niches enshrining images of Jain tirthankaras, urushringas, yakshas, yakshis and erotic couples. The adishtana contains five mouldings beautifully carved with rows of elephants, swans, horses, music, dance scenes, geometric patterns and kirtimukhas etc.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Arang Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Arang Mahanadi Railway Station, 18 Kms from Mahasamund, 30 Kms from Raipur Airport and 38 Kms from Raipur. The temple is situated on Raipur to Mahasamund route.

Location

Chandpur Group of Temples, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh

Chandpur Group of Temples, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh

Chandpur Group of Temples are groups of ancient Chandela era temples located in Chandpur Village in Lalitpur Tehsil in Lalitpur District of Uttar Pradesh, India. The Temples are mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Jain Thirthankaras. Chandpur is known for its extensive archaeological remains, scattered especially in the east and north west parts. The group of temples are protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Group of Temples

Chandpur has majorly five groups of ancient temples and numerous ancient Chandela ruins in its vicinity.

Sahastralingeshwar Temple Group:

Sahastralingeshwar Temple is the largest temple in this group. This temple is facing towards east and situated on the banks of a tank. It consists of sanctum and mukha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines Sahasra Linga (thousand miniature lingas carved on a single Linga) with four projecting figures on all four directions. The sanctum is spacious enough to have circumbulation by devotees. The lintel of the sanctum doorway has relief of Lord Nataraja at its center.

There is a four pillared mandapa housing Nandi in front of the sanctum. There is flat roofed shrine with a porch dedicated to Lord Brahma to the southern side of the Sahastralingeshwar Temple. The sanctum enshrines a seated image of Lord Brahma with his consort on his lap but the central figure in the lintel is Lord Vishnu with his consort. The third shrine is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Only the porch of this shrine remains.

Location

Varaha Temple Group:

The Varaha Temple is situated on the banks of the tank. It is surrounded by the tank on three sides. The temple enshrines Varaha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in animal form. The structure housed the image was completely lost except the raised plinth. The Varaha is large in size and carved with all the deities of the Hindu pantheon in its body.

An inscription dated to 1148 CE can be seen on the pedestal of the figure. This group contains several temple ruins in its premises. The plinth of three large temples and few smaller temples can be found amidst large debris of architectural fragments and sculptures. A damaged column with an inscription can be seen among the debris.

Location

Belmori Temple Group:

This Temple group consists of two temples (a larger one and smaller one). The larger temple consisted of sanctum and Mandapa. The sanctum is completely lost. The plinth of the sanctum and the mandapa remains. The smaller temple consists of sanctum and an entrance porch. The shikara over the sanctum is in dilapidated state. Remains of sub shrines can also be seen in the temple premises.

Location

Lakshmi Narayan Temple Group:

The Lakshmi Narayan Temple Group is the largest group of ruined temples. This Temple consists of two temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One temple consists of sanctum and an entrance porch and other temple consists of mandapa only. The sanctum of the temple is completely lost. The temple complex is covered extensively by the ruins of temple remains.

A colossal image of Hanuman can be seen among the ruins. An architrave among the ruins has a short inscription in it. There are two minor shrines to the south of the main temples. One shrine consists of sanctum and an entrance porch while the other shrine consists of mandapa only. The group is enclosed by a compound wall on all sides.

Location

Jain Temples Group:

The Jain Temples Group is situated to the south east side of the Chandpur village near railway track of Jhansi – Mumbai line. This group consists of three structures in its premises. All these structures are in dilapidated condition. The major shrine of this group consists of sanctum and a mandapa. The sanctum is situated much below the ground level and can be accessed through a narrow entrance.

The sanctum enshrines a colossal image of  Jain Tirthankara, Shantinatha. He is in standing posture in Kayotsarga posture. His arms are extended till his knees. His right hand is damaged. He is flanked by few damaged Jaina images on both sides. There are few images in meditation posture and few images in Kayotsarga posture in a row on the left wall of the temple.

An image of goddess can also be seen beside Lord Shantinatha. Sculpture of Jain Ambika and Kuber Yaksha can be seen on the outer wall of the temple. Her mount lion is depicted under seat. The second structure is a small four pillared mandapa in front of the main temple. The third temple consisted of sanctum and an entrance porch.

Only the porch remains intact and the sanctum is lost completely. The door frame is intricately carved. A colossal image of Tirthankara is kept nearby. It might have been the presiding deity of this temple. Sculptures of Jaina figures and architectural fragments are found scattered around the temple premises. The temple complex is enclosed by compound walls on all sides.

Location

Bhandaria Temple:

The Temple is also called as Shishu Madia. The Temple is built over a raised platform. The Temple consists sanctum and an entrance porch. The interior of the porch and the entrance door of the sanctum are intricately carved with reliefs. The shikara over the sanctum is partially damaged.

Location

Other Temples:

Jhammar Temple is situated close to a square well called Jhammar. The temple is named after the well and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It consisted of sanctum and an entrance porch. The sanctum is completely lost. The lintel of the sanctum door has a relief of Lord Nataraja at its center. There is another small shrine situated in the mid of the forest to the west side of the tank. Sculptures, ancient wells, architectural fragments and other ancient relics can be found scattered around this village. There is another unknown Jaina temple group found on the eastern extremity of this village.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 9 Kms from Jakhalaun, 10 Kms from Jakhalaun Railway Station, 12 Kms from Deogarh, 12 Kms from Dhaura, 28 Kms from Lalitpur Junction Railway Station, 34 Kms from Lalitpur Airport, 37 Kms from Lalitpur, 226 Kms from Bhopal Airport and 438 Kms from Lucknow. The Temple is situated on Deogarh – Dhaura road.