Mandi Triloknath Temple, Himachal Pradesh

Address

Mandi Triloknath Temple, NH 20, Purani Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 175001

Diety

Triloknath (lord shiva) Amman: Parvati

Introduction

Triloknath temple, located in the Purani Mandi is one of the oldest shrines in Mandi. It was built in 1520 AD by Sultan Devi, queen of Raja Ajber Sen. Here one can see a divine sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Inside the temple, there is a stone image of three faced Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who is riding on the Nandi Bull. The shrine also has sculptures of Goddess Narda and Goddess Sharda, along with that of few other Gods and Goddesses. It contains a three-faced murti (image) of Shiva, which is the origin of the name Trilokinath, “Lord of Three Worlds”. Trilokinath Temple is located in Purani(old) Mandi. It is almost a kilometer away from the main bus stand of Mandi. The temple is situated on the bank of the Beas River on the old Victoria Bridge at Mandi – Pathankot National Highway.

Puranic Significance

It is believed that Sultan Devi, queen of Raja Ajber Sen, in the 16th century, commissioned the construction of the Trilokinath temple, which was built around 1520 AD. The Sena dynasty who built this temple is believed to have come from Karnataka who settled in Bengal by taking over the declining Pala Empire. After losing lands to the devastating attacks by Bakhtiyar Khalji in 1203–1204 CE, the Sena dynasty lost north-east Bengal, the eastern parts of Bengal remained under the Senas until 1230 CE. The Sena Dynasty built many temples, including one in Kashmir, named and known as Sankara Gaureshwara. The princely state of Mandi was created in the 13th century by Bahu Sen, but the city of Mandi emerged as a separate entity much later, at the beginning of the 16th century. Bahu Sen’s descendant Raja Ajber Sen (19th descendant of Bahu Sen), who founded the present Mandi city centered around the Bhootnath Temple between 1500 CE-1534 CE, built his palace near this temple. The temple of Trilokinath was constructed during his rule by his queen. It is one of the oldest temples in the town, and features images of Narada, Sharda and many deities. The Shikhara or the dome of the temple originally had Chaitya dormers in relief as is evident from some parts still showing the design. There are detailed carvings on the walls of the temple.