Devrani-Jethani temple - Tala, Chhattisgarh
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)
Introduction
In words of famous scientist James Hutton – “Present is the key to Past”, which means the past processes can be explained in terms of the contemporary processes which can be observed and recorded at present.
There are some places which are evidences of great ancient past. There are some places which are proof of great art and breathtaking sculpture of any region. There are some places which are witness of great love of traditions and customs by any great ancient kingdoms, any great ancient dynasties. One such perfect destination is Tala. Tala is famous for Devrani-Jethani temples.
Picture: Devrani Temple, Tala
Where and How to reach?
Tala lies in the bank of confluence of river Maniyari and Shivnath near Village Ameri Kampa. Tala is also identified as Sangama Gram in the records of Panduvanshis of Mekala.
Picture: Location Map of Tala Tala lies near the Raipur-Bilaspur Highway (NH-130), the nearest railway station is Bilaspur and Raipur and the nearest airport is Raipur. This place is approachable throughout all the seasons of a year.
Importance:
Historical Importance:
Discovered by J.D.Welger, assistant to renowned archeologist Alexander Cunningham in 1873-74, Tala has been dated to about 7-8th Century A.D. During excavations, it has been dated to 6th – 10thCentury A.D.
Religious Importance:
Tala is famous for the spectacular Devrani-Jethani temples which are devoted to Lord Shiva. Various excavations done here tell that various dynasties reigned here were followers of Lord Shiva and preached the Shaiva Religion in the past. Here there are few more temples built recently by Nishad Samaaj namely Ram-Janki temple, Swami Purnanand Maharaj temple and Gaushala.
Art and Sculpture:
Devrani-Jethani temple
Here, there are two temples viz: (1) Devrani temple and Jethani temple. Both the temples are still present in the form of remnants only. It is discovered that these temples have been during the reign of Sharabpuri Kingdom.-
(1) Devrani Temple:
This temple involves a combination of two temple (a) Devrani temple and (2) Shiv temple. The dimension of this temple is quite interesting as it has a dimension of 75X32 square feet. This temple is constituted by three phases of temples i.e. Mandapa, Antaral and Garbh-griha. The entrance wall pillars is ornamented with encarvings of River Goddesses whereas the top is encarved with Gajlaxmi.
Picture: Front View of Devrani Temple
Picture: Inner View of Garbh-griha, Devrani Temple
Picture: Inner View of Garbh-griha, Devrani Temple
Picture: Author infront of entrance
This temple cannot be complete without discussing the divine and spectacular statue of Lord Shiva which is also renowned as Rudra Shiva. In this statue, the body parts of the Lord Shiva is made in the form of different animals like the forehead is made like snake, nose is made like lizard, moustaches is made like fish, beard is formed like crab and the ears are made like pea-cocks. Similarly the abdomen part of Shiva is made of the head of 7 men. The statue is nearly 2.70 meter long. As we don’t find any incarnation of Lord Shiva like this statue in any of the religious books, hence there are differences in the view of archeologists and historians.
Picture: Statue of Rudra Shiva
The majority of this temple was buried under earth. In 1976-77, The excavation was started, later followed by excavation works in 1988-89. This temple is believed to have built by Sharabhpuri Dynasty around 5th - 6th Century A.D. Later on the external part of the temple had been extended around 9th– 10th Century A.D.
((2) Jethani Temple:
This temple is in devastated condition but still hold special importance in the field of Archeology and Science, where the back of the base of the temple gives a square like impression but the front of the temple shows continuous stairs upto the first chamber i.e. Mandapa, which is actually half of its square shape. The Garbh-griha and front phase of the temple is directed towards east direction, whereas other entrance can be observed in East and West direction too. The relic of weight bearing pillars can be observed by the ornamentation encarvings of Lion at different directions and other peculiar but artistically spectacular design of idols. The base of the temple is ornamented with the encarvings of Digpal Devta and Gajmukh.
Picture: Side View of Jethani Temple
Picture: Front View of Jethani Temple
Picture: Ornamentation(Encarvings of Digpal Dev) in the Pillar of Front View of Jethani Temple
Picture: Ornamentation(Encarvings of Digpal Dev) in the Pillar of Front View of Jethani Temple
Picture: Ornamentation(Encarvings of Lions) in the Pillar of Front View of Jethani Temple
Picture: Ornamented Pillar infront of Jethani temple
Picture: ruined statues and idols infront of Jethani temple
Picture: idols infront of Jethani temple
Picture: idols infront of Jethani temple courtyard
Picture: idols infront of Jethani temple courtyard
The extensive excavation of this temple started in 1986, resulted into the discovery of various statues, metamorphic objects, metal bangles, coins etc. Later in 1987, more enhanced excavation was started to more findings. This temple is believed to be of 5th – 6thCentury A.D. This temple is made from Red Sandstone and is believed to have gone through renovation previously in 8th-9th Century A.D. This place is considered as one of the most important Shiava pilgrim from early ages.
Conclusion:
Here near the bank of Maniyari and Shivnath, there are a lot of relics waiting to be explored. This place is an important pilgrim for Shaiva people and a huge fair is held every year in the month of Shiv-ratri. So if you really wanna visit some of the best archeological sites of Chhattisgarh, do visit Tala.
This post first appeared on Quest Chhattisgarh: Nature, Facts, Culture, Histor, please read the originial post: here
