Mahamaya Temple

Mahamaya Temple
Name
Proper name	Mahamaya Temple
Geography
Country	India
State	Chhattisgarh
District	Bilaspur
Location	Ratanpur
Culture
Primary deity	Mahaymaya (Lakshmi and Saraswati)
Architecture
Architectural styles	Hindu temple architecture (Nagara Style)
History and governance
Date built	12-13th century, renovated by Archaeological Survey of India[1]
Creator	Haihaiyavansi Kingdom Kalchuri King Ratandev
Website	http://mahamayaratanpur.com/

Mahamaya Temple is temple dedicated to dual Goddess Lakshmi & Saraswati, located in Ratanpur and is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas, shrines of Shakti, the divine feminine, spread across India.^[2] Ratanpur is a small city, full of temples and ponds, situated around 25 km from district Bilaspur of chhattisgarh.

History

Built in the 12–13th century, the temple is dedicated to the Goddess Mahamaya.^[1] Kalachuri dynasty of Tripuri (near Mandala, Madhya Pradesh, India) was a powerful dynasty of Hindu Kings. One section of this dynasty called as Haihai, which ruled Mahakoshal and Chhattisgarh from 9th century to 18th century.^[3] This temple was built during the reign of Kalchuri King Ratnadev I, founder of Haihaiyavansi Kingdom having its capital at Ratanpur.

It is believed that the temple was built at the spot where the king Ratandev I had darshan of council of goddess Kali. Originally the temple was for three goddesses viz Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. Later, Maha Kali left the old temple. Still later, a new (current) temple was built by king Bahar Sai which was for goddess Maha Lakshmi and goddess Maha Saraswati. This temple was built in vikram samvat 1552 (1492 AD).^[3] There are ponds near the temple. There are also temples of Shiva and Hanuman within the campus. Traditionally Mahamaya is the Kuldevi of Ratanpur state. The temple has been renovated by the architecture department. Mahamaya temple is situated at Ratanpur, 25 km from district headquarters Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

Architecture

The Mahamaya temple is built in Nagara style of architecture facing north beside a huge water tank.^[1] One can see the scores of ancillary temples, domes, palaces and forts now, which once housed the temple and the royal house of Ratanpur Kingdom.^[2]

Within the complex, there is also temple of Kantideval, which is oldest of the cluster and is said to have been built by a built by ascetic named Santosh Giri in 1039,^[4] later expanded by Kalchuri King Prithivideva II in the 15th century. It is having four gates and beautiful carvings. It has also been restored by Archaeological Survey of India. The sanctum and the mandapa are fortified with a fascinated courtyard, which was built in Maratha period in the late 18th century.^[2]

A few kilometers away there are ruins of ancient 11th century old Kadeideol Shiva temple located on a hill top of ruined fort, built by Kalchuri ruers, who were followers of Shiva & Shakti. This temple is also being planned for restoration by the archaeological department.

People throng the temple during Navaratri festival, when Jyotikalash is lit to appease the mother goddess.^[5]

The guardian of the temple is considered to be Kalbhairva, whose temple is located on the approach road to the temple on the highway. It is a popular belief that pilgrims who visit Mahamaya temple also need to visit the temple of Kalabhairava to complete their pilgrimage.^[2]

References

1. "MAHAMAYA TEMPLE, Ratanpur (District Bilaspur)". Govt of Chhattisgarh, Archaeology. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
2. "Chhattisgarh, a land of temples". The Pioneer. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
3. Makhan Jha (1 January 1998). India and Nepal: Sacred Centres and Anthropological Researches. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 97 ff. ISBN 978-81-7533-081-8.
4. Bulletin , Volume 25, Issues 1-4. Anthropological Survey of India, India. Dept. of Anthropology. 1980. pp. 71, 77.
5. "नवरात्रि में यहां की गई पूजा कभी निष्फल नहीं होती". dainik bhaskar. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.

Coordinates: 22°52′59″N 82°09′32″E / 22.883°N 82.159°E