What are the interesting fact of Devrani-Jethani Temple in Chhattisgarh?
Nestled at the banks of River Maniyaru, Tala is a small
beautiful village at a distance of 30 km form Bilaspur. It is the
famous place form where the temple of Deorani- Jethani got
excavated which is about 1500 years old. It houses a state of
Rudrashiv which is a master piece of art and attracts a number of
visitors to the temple. Apart from several beautiful statues of
various deities, the park also houses a captivating garden that
adds to the beauty of the place.
Devrani Temple
Devrani temple is the smaller one which is dedicated to Lord
Shiva. The temple faces the east direction. The river Maniyari
flows on the back side of the temple.
The size of the temple is 75x32 feet and has an exceptional
ground plan. It consists of a Garbhagriha, antarala, and narrow
mukhmandapa preceded by an open space, approach 1ed by a flight of
steps with a large chandra shila.
The mukhamandapa has a beautiful doorway, depicting river
goddess on the bottom part of the door jamb. On the lalatbimba
Gajalakshmi is shown in bold relief. The bhitti part rises up to a
height of 10 feet but the sikhara is missing.
The temple site has yielded a variety of sculptures including
different gods and goddess of Hindu pantheon, Demi gods, animals,
mythical figures, with floral depictions and a variety of
geometrical and non geometrical motifs. Among them one sculpture is
most important and perhaps the only one of its kind in the world
which is addressed as RudraShiva. This is a monolithic gigantic
sculpture of 2.70 metres height, two armed and in standing posture.
It has unusual iconographic features depicting various animals
along with human and lion heads as body components. A turban is
made of a pair of snakes. The serpent is probably a favourite
depiction of the artist. Therefore, the waists, hand and finger
nails are also designed like snakes. Apart from this, a pair of
serpent hood figures on either side of tile head above shoulders. A
snake is also shown entwining the left legs. Among other animals
peacock is depicted as ornamenting ears. Eye brows and nose are
made of lizards. Chin is shaped like a Crab. Both the shoulders
have depiction of crocodiles. Seven human heads are engraved in
various parts of the body. Because of the unusual depiction
mentioned above, identification of this sculpture is still a matter
of debate among the scholars. Stylistically all the archaeological
remains at Tala are datable to first half of sixth century A.D.
Jethani Temple
Jethani Temple faces south direction and is dedicated to Lord
Shiva. Although it is partially exposed, the ground plan of the
temple is clearly visible. It consists of a sanctum and a Mandapa
in front. It has entrances from three sides i.e., south, east and
west. The main entrance of the temple could be approached through a
wide flight of steps. In the surrounding area shafts of the massive
pillars are lying scattered and decorated with different types of
motifs. The basal part of the pillar is designed with kumbhas. The
upper part of the pillar consists of a convex-lobbed amalaka
resting upon a vase, decorated with festoons hanging from lion's
mouth. Sanctum part is much damaged and no traces of the
superstructure are available. Gaja-Mukha or Dikpalas are visible in
basement. This site is a precious Cultural Heritage of the world
and is worthy to be included in the list of World Heritage.
