Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Chhattisgarh, a land of temples


Chhattisgarh, a State separated from Madhya Pradesh in year 2000 is very significant from religious views due to the existence of four Shakti Peeth and numerous temples as well. Bamleshwari temple, Mahamaya temple, Danteshwari temple and Chandrahasni temple are the four Shakti Peeths exists here.
According to mythology Goddess had self-immolated herself in the fire pit of yajna kund due to the disgust caused upon her consort Lord Shiva by her father. Agitated by this Lord Shiva destroyed the Yagya of Daksha and started doing Taandav with Sati's body in his hands. To minimise the grief of the Lord, Vishnu cut the dead body of the goddess and scattered at 52 different places, thus giving them a common name Shakti Peeths.
During Navratri huge mass of devotee's from around the nation turnout here to have a glimpse of deities and pay obeisance towards almighty. To appease goddess, devotees light Jyoti Kalash (earthen lamps) on the sacred occasion of Navratri. Moreover, people pay courtesy visits to goddess with the belief that the deity will fulfil their wishes and solve their problems.
Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple is dedicated to Maa Bagulamukhi Devi who is a powerful manifestation of Goddess Durga. It is the prominent pilgrimage existing in Chhattisgarh which is located at Dongargarh 35 km from Rajnandgaon and 67 km from Durg. The name was derived from two words -dongarh meaning 'mountains' and garh meaning 'fort'. Temple is the most thrived celebrated shrine is located at 1,600 feet high on the hilltop. A tehsil headquarter, Dongargarh is the main tourist spot as well as pilgrimage of the district.
The temple is popularly known as Badi Bamleshwari. Another temple at ground level is situated about 1/2 km from the main temple premise is famous as Chhoti Bamleshwari. Around many hundred thousands of people from, in and around Chhattisgarh flock the shrine during the navratris of Kavar (during Dussera) and Chaitra (during Ramnavmi). At the time of navratris, fair are organise in the premises of the temple, which remain open for 24 hours.
To have the glimpse of goddess, devotees here have to climb a flight of 1100 stairs to reach the holy destination. It is believed that Raja Veersen, the then ruler of Dongargarh, in order to appease the God for his true successor, had built the temple 2,200 years ago. As time passed by the name got transformed from Maa Bagulamukhi to Maa Bamlai to Maa Bamleshwari as it is known today.
Shri Mahamaya Devi Temple is religiously celebrated, architecturally superb and culturally rich temple of Chhattisgarh situated at Ratanpur.
Today it is recognised as a major religious centre of the region, which also has national acclaim. Devotees visit Mahamaya temple throughout the year to offer prayers and seek blessings of the deity from far and wide. The temple has the dual idol of goddesses -
Saraswati and Laxmi.
Surrounded by lush green hills and housing more than 150 ponds, the town is flocked twice a year by hundreds of thousands of devotees every year, who visit here on the promising occasion of navratri to appease deity. Mahamaya Devi temple is situated at 25 km away from Bilaspur. The Mandir and the relics of scores of ancillary temples, domes, palaces and forts now rundown with passing time and natural forces, seem to tell a story of its existence. From many decades, the temple and the town attract the attention of huge numbers of historians and archaeologists.
On the auspicious occasion of navratri, devotees from all corners of the country and the world arrive here to perform religious rituals. Surrounding the main temple are many big halls where Jyoti Kalashas are lit by the temple trust on behalf of the devotees. The Kalashas are kept 'alive' for the whole nine days of Navratras. This is why they are also called Akhand Manookaamna Navratra Jyoti Kalashas. It is believed that goddess fulfils all wishes of devotees if they follow proper fasting, worshiping and several rituals of deity and also contribute to the Akhand Jyoti Kalashas.
Around the main temple, there are many other temples of equally rich historical and archaeological values exist here. The most important of these are Mahamrityunjaya Panchmukhee Shiv Mandir and Kanthi Dewal. A little known fact about this temple is that Department of Archaeological Survey of India has recently reconstituted the temple. The reconstitution spanned around five years, but the actual shape of the temple was kept intact.
This temple consists of a sanctum and a mandapa with fortified fascinated courtyard, which was built in Maratha period but the original temple was built by the Kalchuri rulers in 12th-13th century AD. This temple was dedicated to Mahamaya Devi, which was the Kula Devi of the Kalchuri rulers.
The main campus of temple has smaller statues of Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Surya Dev, Lord Vishnu, Lord Hanuman, Bhairav and Lord Shiva. It is believed that Kalinga king Ratna Dev performed the first puja and abhihek of Devi at this place in 1050 AD, when he shifted his capital from Tuman to Ratnapur. Because of its strategic geographical status, King Ratna Dev and his heirs made Ratnapur their capital and built up palaces, fort and temples, the remnants of which can be seen still today.
The Danteswari temple belongs to the group of the 52 Shakti Peeths, the symbol of feminine divinity in India. It is believed that a tooth of Goddess Sati had fallen here and that was how the Danteshwari temple came into existence. Danteshwari Temple is located 80 km from Jagdalpur, a famous temple of goddess Danteshwari, goddess worshiped as an incarnation of Shakti. The temple is believed to possess divine powers. Every year during Dusshera, thousand of tribal from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to the deity. Danteshwari Temple is one of the Shakti Pithas.
The temple was built in 14th century by the Chalukya kings, in south Indian style of the temple architecture. The idol of deity is chiseled in shiny black stone. The temple has four parts, Garbha Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap. The Garbha Griha and Maha Mandap were constructed completely out of stone. There is Garud Pillar in front of the temple's entrance.
Around six hundred years old temple is situated at the confluence of pious rivers Shankini and Dhankini. Representing a perfect cultural and religious blend of the various Bastar communities, the temple is an example of great south Indian style of architecture.
The best time to visit this temple is during Dussehra festival (October) when thousands of tribal from the adjoining towns and jungles register their presence to worship the deity. The idol of the Goddess is taken out of the temple and displayed around the city accompanied by a royal procession.
Chandrahasini Devi Temple is an important religious place and prominent tourist place of Janjgir-Champa, Chhattisgarh. The temple of Chandrahasini Devi has a significant and popular past. The temple is located on the banks of river Mahanadi, the chief river of
Chhattisgarh state. Apart from regular rituals and worship, Chandrahasini Devi Temple hosts navratri festivals every year. Temple is situated at 30 km from Raigarh.
Temple is regarded as a Shakti Peeth is daily visited by huge numbers of devotees from across the state and country as well. Apart from its immense religious popularity, Chandrahasini Devi Temple also showcases an excellent array of architectural splendors that reminds visitors about the proficiency of the people of the bygone era. The entire temple compound is surrounded by a holy aura, which in turn makes the people experience the bliss of the ultimate power, the power of divinity.
During the festival of navaratri, devotees from faraway districts come to Chandrahasini Devi Temple to praise the Goddess and gather her pious blessings. Special ceremony of puja is arranged within temple premises, which also attracts tourists from other countries.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for sharing such useful information about Chhattisgarh district. Also, i would like to mention about Durg district, shooting up as an important industrial hub after the establishment of the Bhilai Steel Plant as well, Durg stands as one of the largest cities in Chattissgarh today.Check out some popular hotels in Durg.

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