Kawardha Cherki mahal, Chhattisgarh

Address

Kawardha Cherki mahal, Kawardha, Chhattisgarh 491995

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

This temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva in Kawardha village in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Brick-temple Cherki Mahal, the last temple in the complex, is not easily locatable as it is situated in a thinly forested area. A Shiva Linga form, not carved is deified in this temple. The roof of the sanctum of the temple has lotus decoration. The entrance porch has many aesthetic repeated patterns. Located between the Bhoramdeo complex and the Madwa Mahal, the site is the smallest and simplest of the three. The site of Cherki holds a lone structure, a monolith plainly ornamented enshrining a Sivalinga in its sanctum.

Puranic Significance

Local lore dictates that this temple was built by a Naga chief in the 14th century and could possibly be affiliated to Siva. However, one can assume the shrine was built for the shepherd (Cherki) communities of the region by the ruler to consolidate his legitimacy in a region dominated by grazers. In local dialect the word ‘cherki’ means shepherd, hence the shrine owes its nomenclature to the shepherd community who would bring their cattle to the monument for shelter and shade. This is a popular belief among the villagers. The Cherki mahal is an east facing brick and stone structure with no ornamentation on its outside. On plan, it consists of a garbhagrha (sanctum). Perhaps, the original structure had an ardhamandpa (entry hall) or a mandapa (hall). It rises into a tall pyramidal superstructure (shikhara) with crude outward projections along its vertical lengths on all four sides resembling an early latina (spire) style. Its corner spires are horizontally layered. Unlike Bhoramdeo and Madwa Mahal, this temple is devoid of sculptures, except its doorjamb. The doorway of Cherki Mahal consists of five jambs (shakhas)- two foliage bands (lata-patra shakhas) followed by a pilaster (stambha shakha), foliage band and an outer lotus petal band (padma shakha). The lintel exhibits Ganesha, Gajalakshmi and Ardhanareshvara. The base panels depict scenes with dvarapalas (door-guardians) and river goddesses. Surrounding the sivalinga are a group of fragmented stones made in the honour of departed saints. The grabhagrha also houses a Ganesha sculpture in a niche on the north wall.