Garhwa Fort, Shankargarh, Uttar Pradesh

Garhwa Fort, Shankargarh, Uttar Pradesh

Garhwa Fort is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Garhwa Village near Shankargarh Town in Bara Tehsil in the Prayagraj District in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The fort complex is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to be built by the Guptas. The Shiva Linga was stolen by the British though the Sakthi Pita is seen among the recovered artefacts within the temple complex. Seven inscriptions from the reign of Chandra Gupta, Kumara Gupta and Skanda Gupta have been found in this site. Garhwa was called as Bhattagram / Bhattapraya during the Gupta period. The fortifications around the temple was built in 1750 CE by the Baghel King Vikramaditya.

The Fort Complex

The fort complex spreads over two-kilometer area. There are bastions on the four corners of the fort complex with easy access provided by a flight of steps. The most important structure in the fort complex is the Gupta era temple. It is situated in southwestern part of the fort. The temple measures about 55 feet in length and 30 feet in width with an east entrance. The temple was built in panchakona design. The temple consists of sanctum and a pillared mandapa.

The sanctum is square on plan. The Shiva Linga enshrined in the temple was stolen by the British, but the Sakthi Pita can be seen among the recovered artefacts within the complex. Two tanks can be seen on the eastern side of this temple. There are remains of medieval era structures in the complex. There are two stepwells in the complex. It is said that the stepwells never go dry. The temple has many relics dating from the Gupta period till British era.

The most notable relic in the complex is sculpture representing the ten incarnations (dasavathara) of Lord Vishnu, belonging to 11^th or 12^th century. There is a 10 feet tall image of four armed Vishnu in padmasana near the main temple. Sculptures of Lord Buddha, Ganesha & various other deities, architectural fragments, and inscriptions of Gupta period can be seen in the complex.

Most of the sculptures have been shifted to the State Museum of Lucknow for safety reasons. The sculptures of the Gupta period were made carved from pink sandstone while the sculptures of the medieval era were carved from grey sandstone. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is planning to build a museum in the complex.

Connectivity

The fort complex is located at about 5 Kms from Shankargarh, 5 Kms from Shankargarh Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Shankargarh Railway Station, 18 Kms from Bara, 32 Kms from Mau, 44 Kms from Prayagraj Airport and 47 Kms from Prayagraj. The fort complex is situated at about 5 Kms to the north of Shankargarh Bus Stand on Mau to Prayagraj route.

Location

Jagdishwara Temple, Raigad, Maharashtra

Jagdishwara Temple, Raigad, Maharashtra

Jagdishwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located inside Raigad Fort in Mahad Taluk in Raigad District in Maharashtra, India. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in Maharashtra declared by Archaeological Survey of India. Raigad was the capital of Marathas under the Maratha Emperor Chatrapathi Shivaji.

History

The temple was built by Hiroji Indulkar in 1674 CE during the reign of Maratha Emperor Chatrapathi Shivaji. Hiroji Indulkar was the chief architect of this temple and many structures in Raigad. Chatrapathi Shivaji was pleased with his works and asked him what reward he wants. The chief architect wanted his name to etched on the step outside the temple so that his name would be touched by the feet of his king daily. It is said that Shivaji visited this temple daily during his stay in Raigad.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and enclosed completely within a fort like structure. The main entrance is from the eastern side of the enclosure and there is another smaller entrance on the western side also. The structure is square on plan and measures 50 metres in length and 50 metres in breadth. The temple consists of sanctum and mandapa. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Jagdishwara in the form of Shiva Linga. Nandi can be found in the courtyard facing towards the sanctum. The temple shows Islamic influence having domical shikara and six minarets.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Pachad, 26 Kms from Mahad, 26 Kms from Mahad Bus Stand, 29 Kms from Mangaon Railway Station, 133 Kms from Pune and 144 Kms from Pune Airport. The Raigad fort is well connected via roadways as frequent buses are run by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).

Location

Lakshmi Temple, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Lakshmi Temple, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Lakshmi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Lakshmi located in Chittorgarh City in Chittorgarh Taluk in Chittorgarh District in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The temple is situated near Suraj Pol, the eastern entrance gate of the Chittorgarh Fort. The Temple is one of the state protected monuments in Rajasthan declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and stands over a raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum and antrala. The door jambs of the sanctum is highly eroded. The sanctum enshrines an image of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune.

Connectivity

The Chittorgarh Fort is located at about 5 Kms from Chittorgarh Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Chittorgarh Junction Railway Station, 38 Kms from Nimbahera, 63 Kms from Bhilwara, 98 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 116 Kms from Udaipur. Chittorgarh is situated on Bhilwara to Nimbahera route. Chittorgarh is well connected to all parts of India by roads. The Golden Quadrilateral Road Project and North-South-East-West corridor expressways pass through Chittorgarh City.

Location

Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Kalika Mata Temple, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Kalika Mata Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Kali located in Chittorgarh City in Chittorgarh Taluk in Chittorgarh District in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The Temple is situated between Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower) and Padmini Palace inside the Chittorgarh Fort. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

This temple was originally built in early 8 ^th century CE by King Manabhanga. He is probably identified with Manuraja, the last king of Mori Rajputs. He is also credited with the construction of Kumbha Shyam and Tripura Vijaya Temple. The temple was originally a Sun temple and suffered destruction at the hands of Alauddin Khilji of Khilji dynasty during the sack of Chittorgarh. The temple was rebuilt and an idol of Kalika Mata was consecrated by Maharana Hammir Singh of Mewar Kingdom in 14^th century CE. 

The Temple

The temple is situated on a small hillock and can be accessed through flight of steps. The temple is facing towards east and stands over a raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, sabha mandapa and entrance porch. The entrance porch and sabha mandapa has dome shaped roof and are of recent addition. The sabha mandapa and entrance arch are enclosed by lower parapet walls with kakasanas in the interior. The pillars of the entrance arch and sabha mandapa are intricately carved showing ghatapallava design. This is a sandhara temple, having common ambulatory passage around its sanctum.

The sanctum enshrines an image of Kalika Mata / Bhadra Kali. There is a shrine dedicated to Jogeshwar Mahadev opposite to Kalika Mata Temple. There are separate rooms for priests and saints can be seen immediately after the entrance on the left side. There is an empty space in front of the temple meant for Ratri Jagran (a unique way to worship of goddess after their wishes got fulfilled). There is a temple tank called Surya Kund, situated in front of fatta haveli near to Kalika Mata Temple. The tank was excavated by Bappa Rawal, found of the Mewar Kingdom.

Festivals

Navaratri is celebrated here for nine days. Special aratis and poojas are performed during these days.

Connectivity

The Chittorgarh Fort is located at about 5 Kms from Chittorgarh Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Chittorgarh Junction Railway Station, 38 Kms from Nimbahera, 63 Kms from Bhilwara, 98 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 116 Kms from Udaipur. Chittorgarh is situated on Bhilwara to Nimbahera route. Chittorgarh is well connected to all parts of India by roads. The Golden Quadrilateral Road Project and North-South-East-West corridor expressways pass through Chittorgarh City.

Location

Jata Shankar Mahadev Temple, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Jata Shankar Mahadev Temple, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Jata Shankar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Chittorgarh City in Chittorgarh Taluk in Chittorgarh District in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The Temple is situated inside Chittorgarh Fort near Rana Kumbha palace. The Temple is situated on the way from Kumbha Shyam Temple to Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower) inside the Chittorgarh Fort. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and stands over a high raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and sabha mandapa with an entrance porch. The entrance porch and sabha mandapa are enclosed by lower parapet walls with kakasanas in the interior. The pillars of the entrance porch and sabha mandapa are intricately carved showing ghatapallava design.

The roofs of the entrance porch and sabha mandapa are pyramidal in shape. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Jata Shankar Mahadev in the form of Linga. The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style. Nandi housed in a four pillared mandapa in the platform can be seen facing towards the sanctum. The temple is connected with the Kumbha Palace with stoned pathway.

Connectivity

The Chittorgarh Fort is located at about 5 Kms from Chittorgarh Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Chittorgarh Junction Railway Station, 38 Kms from Nimbahera, 63 Kms from Bhilwara, 98 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 116 Kms from Udaipur. Chittorgarh is situated on Bhilwara to Nimbahera route. Chittorgarh is well connected to all parts of India by roads. The Golden Quadrilateral Road Project and North-South-East-West corridor expressways pass through Chittorgarh City.

Location

Kumbha Shyam Temple, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Kumbha Shyam Temple, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Kumbha Shyam Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Chittorgarh City in Chittorgarh Taluk in Chittorgarh District in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The Temple is situated inside Chittorgarh Fort near Rana Kumbha palace. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

This temple was originally built in early 8 ^th century CE by King Manabhanga. He is probably identified with Manuraja, the last king of Mori Rajputs. He is also credited with the construction of Surya Temple (present Kalika Mata Temple) and Tripura Vijaya Temple. His contribution to Chittorgarh fort has been recorded in one of the inscriptions of Maharana Kumba of Mewar Kingdom. The temple was extensively renovated by Maharana Kumba in 15^th century CE at the behest of his wife Meera Bhai. The Meera Bhai Temple in the temple complex was constructed in 15^th century CE by Maharana Kumba.

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2022/06/kumbha-shyam-temple-chittorgarh-temple-complex.html

Connectivity

The Chittorgarh Fort is located at about 5 Kms from Chittorgarh Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Chittorgarh Junction Railway Station, 38 Kms from Nimbahera, 63 Kms from Bhilwara, 98 Kms from Udaipur Airport and 116 Kms from Udaipur. Chittorgarh is situated on Bhilwara to Nimbahera route. Chittorgarh is well connected to all parts of India by roads. The Golden Quadrilateral Road Project and North-South-East-West corridor expressways pass through Chittorgarh City.

Location

Neelkanth Temple, Kalinjar, Madhya Pradesh

Neelkanth Temple, Kalinjar, Madhya Pradesh

Neelkanth Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kalinjar in Ajaigarh Tehsil in Panna district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. This temple is situated in the middle of the Kalinjar fort. The fort is situated atop an isolated rocky hill at a height of about 1,203 ft above the sea level, overlooking the Bundelkhand plains. The temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2022/06/neelkanth-temple-kalinjar-legends.html

History

The temple was constructed by the King Paramardi (1165 – 1203 CE) of Chandela Dynasty in the Kalinjar fort. The Kalinjar fort is considered as one of the oldest forts in India and also one of the eight forts built by Chandela Kings between 10^th and 13^th centuries CE. It is one of the few forts that stood against the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2022/06/neelkanth-temple-kalinjar-temple.html

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 35 Kms from Ajaigarh, 40 Kms from Atarra, 41 Kms from Atarra Railway Station, 58 Kms from Panna, 60 Kms form Banda, 95 Kms from Khajuraho Airport and 101 Kms from Khajuraho. The Kalinjar fort is well connected to all the important centres in the region with regular bus services.

Location