Rudra Mahalaya Temple, Siddhpur, Gujarat

Rudra Mahalaya Temple, Siddhpur, Gujarat

Rudra Mahalaya Temple is a desecrated Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Siddhpur Town in Siddhpur Taluk in Patan District in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is also known as Rudramal and was considered as one of the earliest and largest Chaulukyan temples. The Temple is situated on the bank of Sarasvati River, considered to be the branch of long lost Saraswathi river mentioned in the Vedas. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/rudra-mahalaya-temple-siddhpur-legends.html

History

The construction of the temple was started in 943 CE by Mularaja (941 – 996 CE), the founder of the Chaulukya Dynasty. The construction was completed in 1140 CE by King Jayasimha Siddharaja of Chaulukya Dynasty. The Temple suffered destruction at the hands of Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan, generals of Alauddin Khalji, king of the Khalji Dynasty in 1296 CE. The temple was further destroyed, and the western part of the temple was converted into congregational mosque (Jami Mosque) by Muslim ruler Ahmed Shah I (1410–44) of Muzaffarid Dynasty in 1414 CE.

The Temple

The temple was built in Maru-Gurjara architecture style. The temple measures 300 by 230 feet (91 m × 70 m) with the central building 150 feet (46 m) in length. The temple was magnificent structure with three stories, 1600 pillars and has 12 entrances. The temple has 11 subsidiary shrines, dedicated to the Ekadasa Rudras, around the sanctum. The temple is facing towards and the sanctum was located on the west. There was also a mandapa with entrance porches on the eastern, northern, and southern side.

The original temple consisted of a roof measuring 32 feet (9.8 m), much larger than the Abu temple. Two toranas and four pillars of the former central structure still stand along with the western part of the complex used as a congregational mosque. The eastern gate was adorned with beautifully carved toran, with a flight of steps leading to the Saraswathi River. The mutilated fragments of few subsidiary shrines, well carved colossal columns, architraves, architectural fragments, Shiva Lingas and sculptures can be seen among the ruins.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Siddhpur Railway Station, 2 Kms from Siddhpur Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Unjha, 31 Kms from Patan, 32 Kms from Palanpur, 47 Kms from Mehsana, 112 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport and 120 Kms from Ahmedabad. The Temple is situated on Palanpur to Unjha route.

Location