Category: Chhattisgarh Temple

The Mahadev Temple in Deobaloda, India’s Chhattisgarh state, is a religious location devoted to Lord Shiva. This historical temple dates from the Kalchuri Period and is of great cultural and religious significance. The Archaeological Survey of India has designated it as a protected monument. The temple attracts many devotees every year, but its popularity skyrockets during the Mahashivratri festival. During this auspicious occasion, worshippers from neighboring villages gather here to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings. A small fair complements the celebration, adding to the celebratory ambiance. This ancient temple, built by the Kalchuris in the 13th century AD, is known for its amazing pace of construction.The temple was built in six months, according to legend, which is why it is also known as the “6 Maashi” temple, where “Maashi” translates to “Months” in English. The temple’s architecture is renowned for its east-facing orientation and use of sandstone in its construction. It consists of a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) and a Navaranga Mandapa (hall) with pillars. The Nagara architectural style shikhara is currently absent. The Garbhagriha is home to a 1.5-foot-tall Shiva Linga, which can be accessed through an artistically constructed door entrance guarded by Shaiva Dwarpalas. There are additional idols of Goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Hanuman, and others inside the sanctum. Sculptures depicting Bhairava, Vishnu, Mahishasur Mardini (a version of Goddess Durga), Shiva, musicians, dancers, and Kirtimukha designs adorn the mandapa pillars. The temple’s facade contains ornamental bands with figures of Gaja (elephant), Asva (horse), and Nara (human) on them near the entrance. The temple walls also have images of Tripurantaka Shiva, Gajantaka Shiva, Narasimha, Radha Krishna, Ganesh, Varaha, Lakshmi, and other deities. The temple walls also feature depictions of hunting scenes, hunters, and bull fights. The temple is surrounded by a Nandi figure, which is conspicuously displayed in front of it. Within the temple courtyard, there is a hut that looks like a storeroom that houses antique idols and statues uncovered during excavations and probably related to the temple. A intriguing narrative surrounding the temple tells how the sculptor working on its creation became so engrossed in his job that he forgot about his clothing. He eventually worked day and night, resulting in his nudity. When his sister came to visit, both were humiliated, so the sculptor leaped from the roof into the sacred pond within the temple complex to hide. His sister followed in his footsteps, and both ponds still exist today. The pond is known as Kasara Talab because the sister is said to have carried a Kalasha (holy water vessel) with her, and a Kalash-type stone still stands there. According to local legend, a subterranean tunnel within the Kund (holy pond) connects to a temple in Arang. When the sculptor jumped into the pond, he discovered this tunnel and eventually reached Arang, where he turned into stone, according to folklore. The Bhanadeva temple was built at that location. The Kund is made up of 23 stairs and two nearby wells, one of which never runs dry. The Mahadev Temple lies near the little town of Deobaloda, which is easily accessible by train and road. It is easily accessible via the National Highway, about 20 kilometers from Raipur’s capital city and around 15 kilometers from Bhilai Nagar. The Deobaloda Charoda Railway Station, which serves as a halt for local and passenger trains, is conveniently positioned near the shrine. The nearest airport for people traveling by air is the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur.