Nohta Nohleshwar Shiva Mandir, Madhya Pradesh

Address

Nohta Nohleshwar Shiva Mandir, Damoh Jablapur Highway, Nohta, Madhya Pradesh 470663

Diety

Nohleshwar Shiva

Introduction

The Nohleshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Nohta Village in Jabera Tehsil in the Damoh District of Madhya Pradesh, India, is a significant historical and religious site.The Nohleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, known as the Lord of Destruction.The temple is strategically situated at the confluence of the Goraya and Wyarma Rivers, making it a picturesque and spiritually significant location.The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has designated the Nohleshwar Temple as a “Monument of National Importance.”

Accessibility: The temple is easily accessible from various transportation hubs:

It is approximately 1 kilometer from the Nohta Bus Stand.
It is around 25 kilometers from the Damoh Bus Stand.
It is about 25 kilometers from the Damoh Railway Station.
The nearest airport is Jabalpur Airport, which is also approximately 25 kilometers away.
It is situated on the Damoh to Jabalpur route, which facilitates road access.

Puranic Significance

The temple was built by Nohla Devi, Queen of Kalachuri King Yuvaraja Deva I, in the 10th century CE. This places its construction in the 10th century, making it an ancient and historically important site.

Orientation and Structure: The temple faces west and is constructed on a raised platform. It comprises several components, including the sanctum, antrala (vestibule), ranga mandapa (assembly hall), and mukha mandapa (main entrance hall).

Rangamandapa Niches: The lower portion of the rangamandapa features eight large projecting niches, each housing images of various goddesses, including Gajalakshmi.

Sanctum and Doorways: The sanctum is pancharatha on plan, and both the doorways of the ranga mandapa and sanctum are ornate and similar in design. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Nohleshwar, in the form of a Shiva Linga.

Bhadra Niches: The bhadra niches contain images of Nataraja on the south, Andhakantaka on the east, and Vinadhara on the north.

Exterior Decorations: The exterior of the sanctum is adorned with various forms of Lord Shiva, deities from the Hindu pantheon, sura sundaris (celestial maidens), mithunas (couples), dikpalas (guardians of the directions), vyalas (mythical creatures), and depictions of social life.

Navagrahas and Shiva Linga: The Navagrahas (nine celestial bodies) are placed on the top portion of the Lalata Bimba, with Lord Shiva in the middle. The sanctum enshrines a massive Shiva Linga made of black stone.

Intricate Sculptures: Inside the sanctum, there are around 109 sculptures, including depictions of Uma Maheshwar, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Vishnu, Ashtadikpalakas (guardians of the eight directions), Lakshmi Narayan, Shiva Parvati, and others. These sculptures showcase extraordinary craftsmanship and artistic detail.

Preservation: The temple has managed to escape the destruction faced by many other temples during successive Muslim invasions and is remarkably well-preserved.

Religious Significance: The temple continues to be a place of worship and pilgrimage for devotees, with thousands of them visiting on auspicious occasions such as Makar Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri, and during the month of Shravan.

The Nohleshwar Temple is not only a testament to the architectural and artistic excellence of its time but also a place of reverence and devotion for generations of worshippers. Its preservation as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India ensures that its historical and cultural significance endures for future generations.