Ratanpur Kanthi Dewal Temple -Chhattisgarh

Address

Ratanpur Kanthi Dewal Temple Ratanpur, Bilaspur District Chhattisgarh 495442

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

Kanti Deul (Kanthi Dewal) is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Ratanpur Town in Bilaspur District in Chhattisgarh State, India. The Temple is situated in the Mahamaya Temple complex.

Puranic Significance

The temple is said to have been built by an ascetic named Santosh Giri in 1039 CE and later extensively renovated by Kalchuri King Prithivideva II in the 15th century CE.

Special Features

The temples in this complex have recently been reconstructed according to their original plans by the Archaeological Survey of India. During excavations beneath the sanctum of one of the temples, some skeletons were discovered, hinting that the temple might have served as a burial shrine for a king or noble in the past.

This temple complex consists of two temples and follows the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. The larger temple in the complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is constructed using red stones. Inside, it houses a Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. The temple features an octagonal shikara (tower). On the exterior walls of the temple, you can find sculptures depicting various figures and scenes, including Chamunda, Salabhanjika (a female figure often used in temple architecture), a depiction of a Kalachuri King, a lady feeding a child, Lingodbhava (emergence of the Linga), Lord Shiva with his consort Parvati, and Vishnu. These sculptures are dated to the 9th to 12th century CE, making them older than the temple itself. The larger temple has entrances on all four sides, allowing access from different directions. The smaller temple in the complex is characterized by a pyramidal shikara. The reconstruction of these temples preserves their historical and architectural significance.