Kharod Shabari Mandir, Chhattisgarh

Address

Kharod Shabari Mandir Kharod, Chhattisgarh 495556

Diety

Amman: Mata Shabari Devi

Introduction

Shabari Mandir is the temple of Shabari, located at the south entrance of Kharaud city in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. This east-facing brick temple is also called the temple of Saurine Dai or Shabari. The temple is built on a square- shape platform. The temple has been built by Lal Ito. The front part is made of stones. The upper part of the temple is destroyed. The idol of the Mata Shabari is seated on the sanctum Santorum. The temple is being protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Puranic Significance

In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, Shri Ram and Lakshman are seated with bow and arrows. The priest told that Shri Ram and Lakshman ji had eaten the jujube berries of Shabari here. It is mentioned in the literature of the time that the temple of Shabari Devi (Sauraine Dai) is situated in the south direction of the city. This brick temple is facing east. Referring to the period of its construction in the inscription of Laxmaneshwar Mahadev temple, it has been said that an Amatya named Gangadhar has done the work of virtue by constructing a Shauri Mandap. Shauri is actually a name of Vishnu and this area is also called Shree Narayan Kshetra or Shree Purushottam Kshetra because of Vishnu idols, which is mentioned in Skanda Purana. There is an idol of Garuda ji at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum of this temple. Therefore it can be imagined to be a Vishnu temple. Presently there is an idol of the Goddess here. It is not known when and who installed the idol of the goddess in this temple. Perhaps the Goddess has been established in this temple to establish harmony between Vishnu and Shakti. In ancient times this area was called Dandakaranya. Shri Ram, Lakshmana and Janaki spent many years in Dandakaranya. Sita was abducted from this area. During the search of Sita, Shri Ram and Lakshman had come to Shabari’s ashram and ate her leftover plums. Due to this incident, this place was called Shabri-Narayan. In course of time it deteriorated and came to be known as Shivrinarayan. In ancient times, there was a rule of Khar-Dushan in this area, which was attained by Shri Ram at the hands of Veergati. Perhaps after his name this city was called Kharod.