Charchoma Mahadeva Temple- Rajasthan

Address

Charchoma Mahadeva Temple Choma Maliya, Rajasthan 325203

Diety

Mahadeva Amman: Parvati

Introduction

Mahadeva Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Charchoma Village in Digod Taluk in Kota District in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The temple is situated on the western banks of Kali Sindh River. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to be built during the Gupta period. There are two Brahmi inscriptions with Gupta letters found in this temple. The temple had been extensively renovated during the 19th century CE. As per legend, a Solanki queen had been pregnant for 12 years, but her fetus did not grow. The queen along with the king went on pilgrimage and reached Charchoma from Mandsor. They prayed to Lord Shiva for the growth of the fetus and safe delivery of the baby .They started to live near the temple and prayed to Lord Shiva continuously. Pleased with their prayers, they were blessed with a baby. In gratitude, the king built a grand temple for Lord Shiva here. This temple is facing towards east and stands over a raised platform. The temple consists of a sanctum, an antarala and a sabha mandapa. The sabha mandapa is rectangular on plan and has a flat roof. The sanctum is square on plan and supported by four pillars. The sanctum enshrines a Chathur Mukha Linga (four faced Linga) and is made of black stone. The sanctum is crowned with nagara style shikara. There is a black stone image of Sakthi can be seen at the back of the temple. The pillars are decorated with floral motifs and geometrical patterns. There is a stepwell at the lower elevation from the temple.