Sitaleshwar Temple | |
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The eastern entrance of the temple. The pillars of the mandapam are scene, as is the Nandi within | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
Monument of National Importance | |
Official name: Old Temples near the Chandrabhaga | |
Reference no. | N-RJ-71 |
Sitaleshwar Temple, or Sitaleshwar Mahadeva Temple is a temple located in Jhalrapatan, Rajasthan. It is a part of a complex of several temples, known as the Chandrabhaga group of temples, which is listed as a monument of national importance.
History
James Fergusson reported the temple to be in ruins, with only the columns of the pillared hall surviving. He reported that however, it still remained in worship.
Later, the temple was reconstructed utilizing the ruins from the site.
Deity
The main deity of the temple is Shiva, in the form of Sitaleshwar (Sitalisvara). The suffix "-isvara" is usually applied to indicate Shiva presiding over any aspect. The name thus roughly translates to "lord of Sitala".
Description
The temple faces east. It consists of a mandapam (pillared hall), antarala, and a square garbhagriha (sanctum). The shikhara has collapsed, and the temple currently has a flat roof with a small dome.
The exterior walls of the temple are adorned with sculptures carved in relief of various gods of the Hindu pantheon.
Interior
The pillars of the mandapa are carved with female figures, asthadikpalas, and ascetics. The fourteen outer pillars have octagonal bases. The mandapa contains a Nandi facing a Shiva lingam.
The antechamber leads to the sanctum, through an elaborately carved entrance with five bands. The river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna are found at the base of the doorjambs. Lakulisa is depicted in the central niche of the lintel.
References
- ^ Rathore, Nikita (2024-07-01). "Architectural and Cultural Significance of the Sitaleshwar Temple". Chandrabhaga Group of Temples - Exhibits@Jio Institute. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- Meister, Michael W. (1981). "Forest and Cave: Temples at Candrabhaga and Kansuan". Archives of Asian Art. 34: 56–73. JSTOR 20111117.
- "OLD TEMPLE NEAR CHANDRABHGA | ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA JAIPUR CIRCLE". asijaipurcircle.nic.in. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
- ^ Fergusson, James (1848). Picturesque illustrations of ancient architecture in hindostan. J.Hogarth,London.
- ^ Mankodi, Kirit; Mevissen, Gerd (2019-01-01). Śītalā and Śiva as Śītaleśvara on the Chandrabhaga's Tīrtha at Jhalrapatan.
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