Khajuraho Matangeshwar Temple- Madhya Pradesh

Address

Khajuraho Matangeshwar Temple- Rajnagar Rd, Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 471606

Diety

Matangeshwar

Introduction

The Matangeshvara temple (Matangeśvara Mandir) is a Shiva temple in the Khajuraho town of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located among the Western group of temples. Among the Chandela-era monuments of Khajuraho, it is the only temple that is still actively used for worship.

Puranic Significance

Matangeshwar Temple is a ninth century temple and a famous temple in Madhya Pradesh. Chandra Dev of the Chandela dynasty built the temple. T

he king was a devotee of lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is considered as the venerated sage Matang and that’s how the name of the Shiva Lingam was Matangeswarar. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated outside the ASI compound it boasts of an eight-feet-high lingam and draws large crowds during Mahashivratri. It has one of the largest lingams in North India, made in highly polished yellow sandstone. The Matangeshvara or Mrityunjaya Mahadeo (The great Lord who has conquered death) is one of the earliest temples to be built at Khajuraho. The exterior and interior of the temple, as well as the pillars, are without carvings but the ceilings are formed of overlapping concentric courses. The matangeshvara is one of the holiest temples of Khajuraho. Standing next to the Lakshmana Temple, this temple is not within the fenced enclosure because it is still in everyday use, unlike all the other old Khajuraho temples. It may be the plainest temple here but inside it sports a polished lingam, 2.5m high. A large number of devotees flock the Matangeshwar Temple and worship throughout the night on the occasion of Shivaratri. The Matang is known as 10th Incarnation / Avtar of Lord Shiva, He was forefather of the great philosopher Mamaidev,Maheshary community are the devotee of Matang, he preached to poor Maisarias and Sinbhariya Meghvar community of India, He was the pioneer of Barmati panth dharma and he has given word Dharmachar to poor maisarias Meghvar.Matangeshwar temple is located in world famous UNESCO world heritage site at Khajuraho town M.P.state of India, Matangeshwar temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. This temple was built by King Chandra Dev of Chandra dynasty. The king was a devotee of Shiva Matang while Millions of Maheshwary were the devotee of Matang shiva in India, Sindh Pakistan and other countries. Matangeshwar temple is located in the western group of temples. It was built in the early 10th century. It is also one of the oldest temples of Madhya Pradesh. With shiny yellow limestone, the shrine is eight feet high. It is considered as the holiest of the temples of Khajuraho. Some of the largest Shiva lingams of India have seen in this temple. With two smaller attendant deities, there is a small Ganesh at upper right and a large image of a goddess that were set up on the path toward the temple. This temple is also known as Mrityunjaya Mahadeo. Unusual like other temples of Khajuraho the exterior and interior of this temple along with its pillars are not decorated with sculptures but the ceiling is overlapped with sculptures. This is one of the holiest temples of central India which is revered by a number of devotees. The temple is more than 1100 years old. The south of this temple is an open air archaeological museum that has a beautifully displayed collection of statues and friezes collected from that area.

Special Features

At over 2.5m high, the temple is best known for housing one of the largest lingas in India. A similar but larger linga at Bhojeshwar Temple in Bhojpur.

Festivals

The main attraction of this temple is 8 feet long Shiva lingam; here 10 days fair and festival is held during Shivaratri. The Holy festival is held in Month of Vaishakh, Amavashya. There are millions other who take a holy bath on day of amavashya at Khajjuraho which is last day of lunar month, in Gujarat, Sindh, Pakistan Nirvan day of Matang dev is celebrated on akhatrij month of vaisakh which day is dedicated to the Matang Dev, he is known as Karam dev in Maisariya Dharam of Mamaidev.