Chaiturgarh Mahishasur Mardini Temple- Chhattisgarh

Address

Chaiturgarh Mahishasur Mardini Temple- Pondi, Bagdara, Chhattisgarh 495449

Diety

Amman: Mahishasur Mardini

Introduction

Chaiturgarh temple about 51 kilometres (32 mi) from Katghora tehsil, Korba district, Chhattisgarh, India, on the Korba–Bilaspur road. It is an Archaeological Survey of India protected monument. The temple Situated at a height of 3060 height on the hill top. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. On the hilltop there is a plain area having an area of 5sqkm. Where there are five ponds. Out of which three are Perennially full of water. The famous Mahishasur Mardini temple is situated here. The temple sculptures are in ruins. The idol of Mahishasur Mardini having 12 hands is installed in the sanctum sanctorum. Shankar cave is situated 3 kms away from the temple. The cave which is like a tunnel is 25 ft. long. One can go inside the cave only by creeping since it is very short in diameter.

Puranic Significance

Inscriptions in the Central Province and Berar – dated in Kalchuri Era 933 (1181-82 CE) gives a long genealogical list of the Kalchuri kings. Chaiturgarh temple was constructed by Raja Prithvideva I. It is said that Goddess Durga killed Demon Mahisa-asur here. The Shanker cave, down below about 3 kms is known for burning Bhasma-asura to death. There are two caves inside. It is said that the right side cave is where Lord Shiva attempted to hide himself from the eyes of Bhasmaasura and the left side of cave is where Lord Vishnu took Mohini Roop to allure Bhasmaasura and tempted him to dance. Which finally resulted into demon placing his own hand on his head and he turned into ashes.