Magderu Temple, Dhrasanvel, Gujarat

Magderu Temple, Dhrasanvel, Gujarat

Magderu Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Dhrasanvel Village near Dwaraka in Okhamandal Taluk in Devbhumi Dwarka District in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple is believed to built in 8^th century CE by the kings of Maitraka Dynasty. The temple was initially constructed as a Sun Temple by the Maga Brahmins, who were worshippers of Surya (solar deity) and immigrants from Iran to western India. Later, the temple got converted to Shiva Temple. The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India and is maintained by ASI Vadodara Circle.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west and built over a low raised platform. The platform  is buttressed on north and south.  The ruins of an enclosing wall that once connected the shrines may be seen above the platform. This temple is built in the Saptayatana style of architecture. Saptayatana is an architectural style with one large central shrine surrounded by six smaller subsidiary shrines. 

The temple might have been built in Panchayatana style initially and later shrines were added to make it as Saptayatana or the temple might have been built in Ashtayatana with replacement of eighth shrine with the flight of the steps to access the temple from north. The main shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and mandapa. The mandapa is now restored with its Bhadraka style pillars with their lintels are still surviving.

The main shrine is pancharatha and square on plan. The doorway is plain and without any ornamentation. The top portion of the shikara is lost. The shikara follows nagara style architecture. The exterior wall is devoid of any decoration. The rectangular north facing shrine is said to have housed Saptamatrikas in  ancient times. The idols are lost but the pedestal housed the idols still remains. The eastern shrine was probably meant for Nandi.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 9 Kms from Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, 10 Kms from Dwaraka Railway Station, 11 Kms from Dwaraka, 11 Kms from Dwaraka Bus Stand, 129 Kms from Jamnagar and 222 Kms from Rajkot Airport. The Temple is situated on Dwaraka to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga route.

Location