Dashal Gauri Shankar Temple, Himachal Pradesh

Address

Dashal Gauri Shankar Temple, Dashal village, Kullu Tehsil, Kullu District Himachal Pradesh 175136

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

The Gauri Shankar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Dashal Village in the Kullu Tehsil of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Location:

The Gauri Shankar Temple is situated near Naggar on the Kullu to Manali route in Himachal Pradesh.

Puranic Significance:

The temple is believed to have been built in the 11th century CE, making it an ancient and historically significant structure.

Special Features:

This west-facing temple is an imposing structure, standing on a raised platform and reaching a height of approximately 11.5 meters.
The temple consists of two main sections: the sanctum and an entrance porch.
The roof of the entrance porch is supported by two fluted columns.
The sanctum is square in shape and follows a pancharatha plan, characterized by projections and recesses. In elevation, it exhibits a triangabada style with bhadra, pratiratha, and karna projections.
The doorjamb of the sanctum is adorned with five bands of decorative floral motifs.
Above the doorjamb, an image of Lord Ganesha is positioned on the lalata bimba, flanked by the Navagrahas (nine planetary deities).
Below the doorjamb, there are carvings of the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, along with dvarapalas (guardian deities), found on either side of the entrance.
Within the sanctum, the presiding deity is a Linga placed atop a circular yonipitha. Additionally, sculptures of Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi Narayan, and Kartikeya can be seen within the sanctum.
The shikara (tower) of the temple comprises nine tiers and is adorned with ardha ratna motifs and decorative elements. It follows the nagara style of architecture and is crowned with an amalaka at its summit.
The exterior walls of the sanctum feature three niches, although the sculptures that once adorned these niches are currently missing.

The Gauri Shankar Temple stands as a testament to ancient architectural and sculptural craftsmanship and serves as a place of worship and cultural significance in the region.