Ancient Shiva Temple

Mahadwadi, Taluka Chimur, District Chandrapur

Mahadwadi has become the first village in Chimur Taluka to have CCTV cameras installed throughout the entire village. Despite being located in the submergence area of the Human Irrigation Project on the Human River, this village has made its mark in the district regarding cleanliness by implementing innovative experiments under the Adarsh Gram Yojana (Ideal Village Scheme). At some distance from this village lies an ancient Hemadpanti Shiva Temple, which is known as Rakshas Mandir (Demon Temple) in this area. The grand and uniquely carved stone chandelier on the ceiling of the Sabhamandap (assembly hall) of this 12th-century temple is a major attraction here.

In 1942, after Mahatma Gandhi gave the ‘Quit India’ slogan to the British, the first movement took place in Chimur. Following the call by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj, the local populace raised their voice against British rule, and Chimur became independent for 3 days, from August 14 to 16, 1942. This was the first instance of independence in India. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose broadcast this information to the world from Berlin Radio. Since then, Chimur has appeared on the world map. Mahadwadi is a small village in this historically significant Chimur Taluka. In this area, rice (paddy) cultivation is widespread, and an invaluable treasure standing for hundreds of years, bearing witness to its antiquity beside a lake, is the Hemadpanti Shiva Temple, also known as Rakshas Mandir.

The Shiva Temple at Mahadwadi is built from sandstone. A local legend states that because it is impossible for humans to lift the massive and unbroken stone pillars here, the temple must have been built by demons. Hence, this temple is called Rakshas Mandir. The temple is situated on the bank of the lake, adjacent to the main road. There is a wire fence all around the temple, and the temple premises are compact. The temple’s structure comprises a Mukhamandap (front porch), Sabhamandap (assembly hall), Antarala (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The ancient Mahadev Temple at Neri, located some distance from Mahadwadi village, and this temple share some structural similarities. Scholars suggest that this temple bears the influence of Chalukyan architecture.

The Mukhamandap of the temple has four stone pillars. The design of these pillars is square at the bottom, octagonal in the middle, then circular, again square, and topped with load-bearing Yakshas. Moving forward from the Mukhamandap, one enters the Sabhamandap. The Sabhamandap has 14 half-pillars and 4 full pillars. Beneath these half-pillars are platforms for devotees to sit, and the pillars rest upon them. The Sabhamandap here is in the form of an Ardhamandap (half-hall), with only half-walls on all four sides. All the pillars here have a similar structure and identical intricate carvings. The artwork on the ceiling of this Sabhamandap is exceptionally unique. The stone carving here resembles a large chandelier. Moving further from the Sabhamandap, there are Devakoshthakas (niches for deities) on both sides of the Antarala wall. Further into the Antarala, there is one Devakoshthaka each in the right and left walls. The ceiling of the Antarala, in Hemadpanti style, appears to taper upwards from the bottom.

The Dwarsakha (doorjamb) of the Garbhagriha features intricate carvings, with images of Dvarapalas (door guardians), a Chamaradharini (female fly-whisk bearer), and a woman holding an Akshamala (rosary) carved on the lower part of the Dwarsakha, and numerous horses and elephants on the lower band of the Dwarsakha. In the upper part of the Dvarapatti (door frame), three separate idols of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh are carved in different Devakoshthakas. At the bottom is a Kirtimukha (glorious face). Inside the Garbhagriha is an ancient Shivpindi (lingam), and on the wall opposite it, in the main Devakoshthaka, is Mata Annapurna, with Ganesha and Naga sculptures on both her sides.

On the outer surfaces of the pillars of the Mukhamandap and Sabhamandap, various deities and figures such as Nritya Ganesha (dancing Ganesha), Bhairava, Parvati, dancing women, female Mridangam players, Nataraja, Saraswati, and heroic figures are carved. On the exterior of the half-walls below, there are various Vyala sculptures. (In these types of sculptures, only the face of animals like elephants, horses, and rams is depicted, with the body of a mythical creature or bird below. Thus, they are identified by their faces as Gajavyala, Ashvavyala, Sharabhavala, etc.) The Shikhara (spire) above the Garbhagriha of the temple is of Nagara style, with a three-branched structure.

In front of the temple’s entrance, there are Viragals (hero stones), an idol of Ganesha, and some ancient sculptures. Currently, this temple is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Archaeology, and conservation work is underway by them. Based on the temple’s architecture, its construction period is believed to be the 12th century. Daily bhajans are performed in this temple by the Gurudev Seva Mandal here. Additionally, a Ramdhun procession is taken out from here every Thursday. The purpose of this procession is to survey the village and raise awareness among citizens regarding cleanliness.

At a distance of 2 km from this temple is a village named Gondeda. In a cave located here, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj performed penance. Annually, a three-day Yatra (pilgrimage fair) is held here on Paush Pournima.

Useful Information:

• 24 km from Chimur, and 97 km from Chandrapur
• ST (State Transport) bus facility available from Chimur to Mahadwadi
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• No accommodation or breakfast facilities available in the vicinity