Mandi Panchvaktra Temple, Himachal Pradesh

Address

Mandi Panchvaktra Temple, Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh-175001

Diety

Shiva Amman: Parvati

Introduction

Panchvaktra Temple, Mandi, Himachal is Situated at the confluence of Beas and Suketi rivers the Panchvaktra temple houses the five-faced image of Lord Shiva. Built in Shikhara style of architecture the temple has been taken over by Archeological Survey of India and declared as national heritage monument.

Puranic Significance

It is one of the protected monuments which comes under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been declared a national site. Inside the Panchvaktra temple, there is a huge statue of Lord Shiva. The statue has five faces which depict about the different character of Lord Shiv- Aghora, Ishana, Tat Purusha, Vaamdeva and Rudra. Angora is the destructive nature, Ishana is omnipresent and omnipotent, Tat Purusha is his ego, Vaamdeva is the female facet and Rudra is his creative and destructive aspect. Panchvaktra is defined as the union of all these. The foundation date of the Panhvaktra temple is still unknown. As per the historical facts, the temple was restored under the reign of Sidh Sen’s kingship (1684-1727) as it was damaged due to flood. Main porch or Mandap of the temple is supported by 4 minutely carved pillars.