Photo copyright: Satyabrata Maiti
Galteshwar Mahadev Temple
Today is Maha Shivratri or Mahashivaratri which is one of the most auspicious festivals of Hindus. This great festival commemorates the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. It is famously believed that on the day of Maha Shivratri, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. And so, every year, this festival is celebrated to mark their holy union. South Indian calendar scripts Maha Shivratri on Chaturdashi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha, the North Indian calendar observes Maha Shivaratri in the month of Phalguna. However, both celebrate it on the same day. Devotees visit Shiva temples, worship Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, chant mantras and prayers, prepare bhog, observe fasts and hope for Lord Shiva’s blessings. This year, Maha Shivratri falls on February 18, Saturday. On this day I would like to present you an ancient Shiva Temple of 12th century near Anand of Gujarat where I have visited number of times and I have developed a spiritual attachment for its architectural marvel.
Galteshwar Mahadev Temple
The temple belied to be received its name from the Galta river on the bank of which the temple was constructed in the 12th century. The moldings, decorations, and the sculptures resemble the Kumarapala Temple at Somnath and other shrines built in 12th century during the reign of the Chaulukya ruler Kumarapala.
It is situated about 16 km away from Dakor on the alluring sangam (confluence) of the rivers Mahi and Galati. It is also said that Galav Muni Chandrahaas of Puranic fame lived in this place. At present the lovely rocky bank of Mahi and the beautiful old Shiva temple on it has one spring of the River Galati constantly sprinkling water on the Shiva linga. Rich in art and architecture, it has a unique eight-sided hall. The walls have been carved with figures depicting Gods, gandharvas, humans, rishis, horse riders, elephant riders, chariots, doli (palanquins) and the events of a human life, from birth to death.
River Galati
The shrine proper (Garva griha) is located lower to the level of the mandapa. The mandapa is in the crucifix form. It has three bhujas instead of usual two bhujas in the rear part. It is square from inside. From outside, the shrine is circular with a diameter of 24 feet with numerous projections and recesses. The recesses have seven niches with the images of Dikpalas, the guardian deities of the eight directions. The front wall of the shrine proper is carved with ornamentation and figures which include different forms of Shiva which are now badly mutilated. The doorway is profusely ornamented with rupastambhas of Abu style.
The eight-sided mandapa has several projecting angles similar to Chaulukya temples in Gujarat like the sun temple of Modhera, Somnath temple and Sejakpur temple.
There are eight inner pillars and sixteen outer smaller pillars which supports the roof of the mandapa. The smaller pillars have the smaller shaft, capital, and the brackets. The inner pillars have a square base with cut corners followed by two small necks. It is followed by the square shaft for the one-third height of the pillar, then octagonal for the half of the height of the pillar, then smaller sixteen sided shaft and then a circular shaft decorated with a band of the kirtimukhas.
At the entrance, idol of Ganesha is installed on left and Hanumanji on right.
As per ancient folklore, it is believed that the Shivlinga emerged after intense penance by great sage Gallvi Muni who urged the sacred river Ganga to flow over the Shivlinga. Happy with his penance, the Ganga came down in form of River Galti, bathing the Shivlinga and then merging with River Mahi. Locals believe that even today the Ganga flows under the ground of the Galteshwar Mahadev temple.
The Shikhar part of the original temple was damaged by Muslim attackers. It shows glory, though broken pillars and shikhar. It is the symbol of pride of Hinduism, as it stands still in spite of several efforts to break it.
The temple is now protected by ASI and comes under the Monuments of National Importance but had been without a Shikhara since time unknown.
How to reach:
Dakor is in Thasra taluka of Kheda District, 43 km northeast of Anand, and 35 km east of Nadiad. Private and ST buses are available from Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Anand.
The nearest airport is in Vadodara- 78 km south, but the Ahmedabad airport- 90 km to the northwest, is not much further and has far more flights.
Nadiad and Anand are the nearest major railway stations. There is also a slow-train branch line terminus at Umreth, 7 km away.
Jai Hind!
Satyabrata Maiti
Disclaimer
Information presented here has been collected from Wikipedia, folklore and from some other online sources available in public dominie. No part of it is my original work.
Acknowledgement:
- On line resources were used for the write up.
