Ghatiyari Shiva Mandir, Chhattisgarh

Address

Ghatiyari Shiva Mandir, Gandai, Chhattisgarh 491888

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

This ancient shiva temple is located in Ghatiyari is located at a distance of 5 km from Rajnandgaon district headquarters, 42 km west of Gandai. The stone temple is built and facing east, this temple must have been very big temple, but now structure remains. This shiva temple is considered a contemporary of khajuraho Bhoramdev of chhattigarh. The curious thing is that till 41years ago no one even knew that there is an ancient Shiva temple at this place. This temple buried in the ground has come to light in the year 1979 from the excavation of the mound. However, due to being buried in the ground for hundreds of years, most of the idols of the temple have been broken, according to the survey report of the Department of Culture and Archaeology; it is an east facing temple. Which is built with stones. The mandapa and the sanctum are two parts in this temple.

Puranic Significance

This temple was built in about 10th-12th AD during the reign of Phani Nagavanshi kings of Kawardha, The interesting thing is that there is a water body on both sides of this temple. Shivling established in the sanctum of the sanctum sanctorum was used to worship the ancient Shiva temple stone of Ghatiyari. Apart from these temples and idols, there are more figurative sculptures and architectural fragments scattered around the Ghatiyari area. From this it can be inferred that in the past there must have been a prosperous and glorious city, which has been destroyed due to the ravages of nature. In the sanctum sanctorum there is a huge watercourse created by Krishna Prasar. In which Shivling is installed.. The idols of Lord Ganesha, Bhairav, Mahishasura Mardini and other fragments are kept in the mandap. The ancient Shiva temple of Ghatiyari , Whose face is towards the east, hence it is called purvamukhi Shivalingam.