Balag Group of Temples, Himachal Pradesh

Balag Group of Temples, Himachal Pradesh

Balag Group of Temples is Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Balag Village in Theog Tehsil in Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple complex is situated at the northern end of the village. The temple complex is located on the banks of Giri Ganga.

Legends

As per local traditions, these temples have been constructed by the Pandavas during their fourteen years exile.

History

These temples are believed to be built in 9th century CE. The mandapa of the Rudra Shiva temple was built in 20th century CE. An inscription dating back to 1940 CE records the renovation activities carried out by one Ranasaheb Bahadur Ranbhadur Singh.

The Temple Complex

There are two nagara style temples in this temple complex. The presence of large number of sculptures and architectural fragments all around the temple complex indicate the possibility of the existence of many shrines at this complex in the ancient past.

Temple No. 1:

This temple is facing towards north and stands on a rectangular platform. The temple follows nagara style architecture. It is a dvianga shrine possessing only bhadra and karna projections. The temple consists of sanctum and a mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by two pillars and has a flat roof. The sukanasa above the mukha mandapa shows a single faced bhadramukha above the window.

The doorjamb has three bands of decoration. The figures at the lintel are not identifiable. The sanctum is rectangular in plan. The bhadra niches on the west, south and east enshrines images of Surya, Ganesha and purnaratna respectively. The sikhara follows phamsana style of architecture. The shikara is topped by an amlaka and kalasha.

Temple No. 2:

The temple no. 2 is famously called as Rudra Shiva Temple. This temple is facing towards west and follows nagara style architecture. It is a dvianga shrine possessing only bhadra and karna projections. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and mandapa. The sanctum is square in plan. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga. Images of Surya, six sculptures of Vishnu, three sculptures of Mahishasura Mardini, two sculptures of Ganesha and two sculptures of Lord Shiva & Parvati mounted on Nandi are kept in the sanctum. The external walls of the sanctum has two niches on the bhadra projections on the north, east and south.

The lower niches contain three faces of Siva showing Rudra, Satyojatha and Vamadeva respectively. Nandi is carved in north-south direction on the niches. His half back is carved beneath the Rudra face of Lord Shiva, while his head appears in the upper niche on the south, flanked by two sunken niches showing lion and fish incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This representation symbolizes that Nandi is carrying Lord Shiva along with his temple.  The sikhara is devoid of any ornamentation and is crowned by an amalaka & kalasa. There is a rectangular sloping roof beneath the amalaka covering the whole shrine. The eaves of the roofs are decorated with wooden pendants.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 200 metres from Balag Bus Stop, 24 Kms from Theog, 42 Kms from Shimla, 43 Kms from Shimla Railway Station, 58 Kms from Shimla Airport, 62 Kms from Solan and 70 Kms from Barog. The temple is situated on Theog to Solan route.

Location