Mahadeva Temple, Padhawali, Madhya Pradesh

Mahadeva Temple, Padhawali, Madhya Pradesh

Mahadeva Temple  is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Padhawali Village in Morena Tehsil in Morena District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated close to the famous Bateshwar Group of Temples. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The Temple is believed to be built in 10^th century CE by the Kacchapaghata rulers. This fortress housing the temple was constructed by the Jat Ranas of Dholpur in the 18^th century CE.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east and located inside the fortress. The temple consists of mukha mandapa and ranga mandapa. The sanctum of the temple has not survived. The mukha mandapa is supported by two pillars. The ranga mandapa is supported by 24 pillars. Out of the 24 pillars, 16 pillars are half pillars resting on the parapet wall running around the mandapa. The parapet wall has seating arrangement on the inside. The central portion of the mandapa is supported by 8 pillars. The temple is profusely decorated on it pillars, beams, architraves and ceiling.

The beams on the four cardinal directions has rich carvings of Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in old age and birth of Lord Krishna on the north side, Chamunda, Lord Rama & his Vanara army performing pooja to Shiva Linga before his battle with Ravana on the east side, Lord Shiva & Parvathy with Nandi, killing of Abhimanyu during Mahabharata war on the south side and Lord Surya & Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu on the west side.

The Fortress:

The fortress is oblong in structure. The fortress can be accessed through flight of steps flanked by two lions. The lions are replicas of original lions. The original lions are kept in Gwalior Fort museum. The two massive bastions in the front gives a majestic appearance to the fortress. It consists of two different parts, upper courtyard and lower courtyard. The upper courtyard has the Shiva temple while the lower courtyard has a step well. The eastern wall of the courtyard has two storied modern cells. It might have housed the military hardware’s of 18^th century CE.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 16 Kms from Nurabad, 26 Kms from Gwalior Airport, 27 Kms from Morena Railway Station, 28 Kms from Gwalior Bus Stand, 29 Kms from Morena, 29 Kms from Morena Bus Stand, 32 Kms from Gwalior and 34 Kms from Gwalior Railway Station. The temple is situated at about 16 Kms from Nurabad off the Morena to Gwalior route.

Location