Dewrani Jethani Mandir, Chhattisgarh

Address

Dewrani Jethani Mandir, Tala, Chhattisgarh 495224

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

The temple is located in the Tala village, Bilaspur district, Chhattisgar. Tala village is located on the bank of the Maniyari River near the village of Ameri Kampa. The temple is most famous for its Devrani-Jethani Temples, the Tala village dates back to the 7-8th century AD. This Temple has the Shiva Smaraks of God Kirari, and Malhar is just 18kms from here. The temple has a semi-fractal devrani temple, Shiva temple built in stone, which is facing east. The river Maniyari , a tributary of shivnath , is flowing behind the temple. Tala is a land of precious archaeological excavations that have revealed sculpture work.

Puranic Significance

The distance between the Devrani-Jethani temple is approximately 15kms. The Jethani or the Elder sister-in-law temple has completely fallen. Stones that would have stood as the temple once are now piled upon one another with their carvings peeping out at various angles. Devrani temple of the younger sister-in-law, the temple has the base platform intact along with stairs that lead to the main shrine. The doorjamb has survived the vestiges of time. It has intricate carving all around it. The Jethani Temple is in a dilapidated state. Famous as Shiva Temples, hey flaunt excellent carving work and pillars. The base of the Jethani Temple flaunts a beautiful ‘Chandrashilla’ at the entrance. The temple consists of the Garbha Griha, the Ardha Mandapa, and the Antraal. Decorative pillars on the stairs have Lord elephant statues guard the sides of the internal chambers, add in more royalty to the mystic ambience. Tala is a land enriched with beautiful sculptures dating back to the bygone era, buried in mystery. Excavated from the womb of Mother Earth, many such famous statues have been preserved in Tala. Among them is the world-renowned sculpture of Shri Chaturbhuja Kartikeya, the slayer of Tarakasura in Mayurasana position. The Dvi-mukhi Lord Ganesha is holding his tusks and radiates immense power and pride. Idols of Ardhnarishwar, Uma-Mahesh, nagpurush, and other Yaksha sculptures tell great legends and stories of a beautiful, historically rich land. A rare stone statue of Shalbhanjika and many more sculpture are scattered all over the temple.

Special Features

The Devrani-Jethani Temple is very famous for Indian sculpture and art. The famous excavation at tha devrani temple during the year 1987-88 have revealed an extremely unique sculpture of Lord Shiva. The ‘Rudra’ image of Lord Shiva gives us a glimpse into different shades of the Lord’s personality. Belonging to the Shaiva religion, this unique statue of Shiva is crafted using different creatures. One statue being addressed by Rudrasiva is most important. This huge monolithic binary image is standing in the Sambhangamudra and its height is 2.70 meters. This statue is a unique idol in the eyes of the scriptures. In it there have been many animals, human or devmukh and lion faces as human organ. The Jatamukut (turban) of its head is made up of added snake charmers. The figures of Rudrashiva has been given in the shape of a snake.