Mahadeva Temple, Bhejgaon, Maharashtra

Mahadeva Temple, Bhejgaon, Maharashtra

Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Bhejgaon Village in Mul Taluk in Chandrapur District in Maharashtra, India. The temple is situated on the banks of Andhari River. This temple is believed to have been built in 12th century CE. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in Maharashtra declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and pancharatha on plan. The temple consisted of sanctum, antrala and mandapa. The mandapa is completely missing currently. However, the remains of the mandapa can be seen currently. The sanctum and the antrala remain intact. The antrala is rectangular on plan. The antrala has four pilasters at each corner surmounted by a simple massive capital. Nandi can be found in the antrala facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum is square on plan and has four pilasters at each corner.

The doorjamb of the sanctum has three bands of decoration. The sanctum currently enshrines a Shiva Linga. The sanctum also enshrines an image of Sheshayi Vishnu. The shikara over the sanctum follows Latina nagara style of architecture. The shikara is crowned with amalaka at its top. The shikara is decorated with miniature shikaras. The temple stands over an adhisthana constituted of three mouldings. The mouldings have depiction of images of deities and sages in sitting posture.

The exterior wall of sanctum has two layers of jangha. The upper jangha is decorated with images of Natha Yogis (Adinatha, the founder of natha sect, the second image is of Matsyendranatha the actual preceptor of the natha sect & Goraksanatha), episodes from Ramayana and erotic scenes. These sculptural depictions are badly weathered. The lower jangha is without any sculptural depictions except traces of geometrical designs and floral motifs. There is a band separating the upper and lower janghas. The band has miniature images of animals, birds and geometrical motifs.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Bembal, 10 Kms from Mul, 10 Kms from Mul-Maroda Railway Station, 12 Kms from Junasurla, 48 Kms from Gadchiroli, 51 Kms from Chandrapur and 171 Kms from Nagpur Airport. The temple is situated on Mul to Bembal route.

Location