Bari Kanoda Mahadeva Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Address

Bari Kanoda Mahadeva Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Bari Kanoda Village,

Batiyagarh Tehsil, Damoh District, Madhya pradesh- 470775

Moolavar

Mahadeva

Introduction

The Mahadeva Temple in Bari Kanoda Village, located in Batiyagarh Tehsil in the Damoh District of Madhya Pradesh, India, is indeed a significant historical and religious site.The Mahadeva Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. It serves as a place of worship and reverence for devotees of Lord Shiva.The temple is situated in the Bari Kanoda Village, which is part of the Batiyagarh Tehsil in the Damoh District of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located on the Batiyagarh to Sunera Jarkhedi route, making it accessible to pilgrims and tourists.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to have been built in the 12th century CE. It is an example of ancient Indian temple architecture, reflecting the architectural style prevalent during that period.

Orientation: The temple is oriented towards the west.

Structure: It consists of a sanctum (garbhagriha) only, and the sanctum is in a pancharatha plan, which means it has five projections or facets.

Shikara: The sanctum is crowned with a five-tiered bhumija style shikara (spire) that is richly adorned. Each tier of the shikara features miniature shikharas, which are smaller spires.

Exterior Decoration: The external walls of the sanctum are intricately decorated with floral and geometrical motifs, as well as linear carved bands.

Entrance Doorway: The temple’s entrance doorway is a remarkable feature. It is intricately carved with niche-like panels on either side. The sculptures on the doorway include depictions of Lord Ganesha, various goddesses, and figures representing the sacred rivers Ganga and Yamuna, along with their attendants.

Additional Sculptures: In addition to the main carvings, there are interesting repetitive motifs on the entrance doorway. The bottom panel of the entrance showcases elephants and Lord Shiva in the Nataraja pose. The Lalata Bimba (central portion of the doorway lintel) features a beautiful carving of Lord Shiva, possibly accompanied by Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu (although the latter’s panel has fallen off). There are smaller panels above these, possibly depicting revered sages like the Sanakadis and a faded panel of Durga Devi.

The Mahadeva Temple’s architectural and sculptural details reflect the exquisite craftsmanship and artistic skills of the artisans who created it during the 12th century CE. It stands as a testament to the rich cultural and religious heritage of India. Such temples are not only places of worship but also living history and art galleries that continue to captivate visitors with their beauty and historical significance.