Rajim,
the Prayagraj of Chhattisgarh
(A
blog by Jitendra Nakka)
Introduction
Chhattisgarh is blessed
with rich culture heritage right from its origin. It has got prosperous history
of rulers and dynasties who were responsible of great art and sculpture, still
evident in different parts of State. There are many places in Chhattisgarh
State which are famous for temples, but there are very few among those, which
are famous as temple cities namely, Maheshpur(Surguja), Dipadih(Balrampur),
Sirpur(Mahasamund), Barsur(Dantewada), Arang(Raipur) and Rajim(Gariyaband). The
most famous among them is Rajim.
Rajim is also renowned as Prayaag-raj of Chhattisgarh, situated on the bank of confluence of Pairi, Sondhur and Mahanadi rivers.
Rajiv Lochan temple
Rajim is also renowned as Prayaag-raj of Chhattisgarh, situated on the bank of confluence of Pairi, Sondhur and Mahanadi rivers.
Where and How to reach?
Coming from Raipur District, Rajim is
the first block of Gariyaband District. The Site is directly connected to NH-30
(Raipur-Jagdalpur Road), and nearly 45kms away from Raipur. Raipur is the
nearest railway station and airport available.
For
boarding and lodging, both Raipur and Rajim are good destination. But as Raipur
is State Head-Quarter, it is advisable to stay at Raipur itself. There are many
hotels and lodges in Raipur which offer exciting tour packages to visit Rajim
and adjoining tourist places.
Salient Features:
Rajim
is famous in many aspects namely historically, archeologically, religiously,
mythologically etc.
Mythological Importance:
Rajim
is called the centre of Panch-koshi tirth(pentagon pilgrims)
of Chhattisgarh, where the other temples which form the five edges of this pentagon
are kopeshwar(Kopra,Gariyaband), Bramhakeshwar(Bramhani),
Paneshwar nath(Fingeshwar, Gariyaband), Champeshwar nath(Champaran,
Raipur) and Kuleshwar nath(Rajim, Gariyaband).
There
is an interesting myth related to this sacred place. Lord Vishnu ordered Lord
Vishwakarma, the God of Architecture to build a set of pentagon like temples
where uptill now no cremation has been done. Lord Vishwakarma search whole
universe and returned answerless. He requested Lord Vishnu to tell some path to
find the answer. Lord Vishnu told that wherever the lotus from his hand, will
fall in earth, Lord Vishwakarma has to build temple there itself. As the pores
of the lotus fell on Rajim, it was considered the heart of Lotus and a
spectacular temple of Lord Vishnu was built there, surrounded by above
mentioned five temples on its five edges.
Historical Importance:
Proofs say that
Sarabhpuriya Dynasty conquered many places in Central Chhattisgarh and was
dominant sometime during 5th Century A.D. It is believed that ‘Sarabh’
was the founder of this dynasty and his son ‘Narendra’ were vassals (landlords)
of the great Gupta Family. Their successors showed loyalty to Vakataks
of Vidarbha region. It is said that the Sarabhpur rulers were ousted
from their capital Sripura (Modern Sirpur) by Pandava rulers of Dakshin
Koshal.
Archeological and Architectural Importance:
Rajim is said to possess
temples of different ages and different architecture, which holds great
archeological and architectural importance in the State of Chhattisgarh. The
temples can be divided in four groups namely:
(i)
The Central
Group,
Comprising
of Rajiv Lochan temple(8th Century), Vaman,Varah, Badrinath, Narsingh,
Jagannath (14th Century), Rajeshwar(8th Century),
Daneshwar(9th Century), Telin-sati
(ii)
The Western
Group,
Kuleshwar(9th
Century) ,Pancheshwar(9th Century) and Bhuteshwar(14th
Century)
(iii)
The Eastern
Group,
Ramchandra
(14th Century), Sitala Mata temple
(iv)
The Northern
Group
Someshwar
Mahadev
Temple Map of Rajim (C) Chhattisgarh Tourism Board
(i)
Rajiv-Lochan
temple:
There was a stone inscription
found at Rajiv-Lochan temple, by which the temple can be estimated to have
built during 7th Century A.D. by a lesser known Nala Dynasty,
who are believed to have shifted here after the extinction of Great Pandavas of
Dakshin Koshal. The period between 7th Century to 12th
Century is lesser known to historian, till Jagatpal and his ancestors helped
in establishing the foundation for rulers of Ratanpur Branch of Great Kalchuri
Dynasty.
As mentioned above in
temple groups, Rajiv-Lochan temple is the main temple in Central group of
temples, which stand on a platform of nearly 8 feet height and dimensions are
69X43 sq. ft. It faces west towards the river. Temple consists of Garbha-griha,
Antarala and Mandapam(Mandap). A 6ft tall extremely beautiful idol of Lord Rajiv-Lochan
(Lord Vishnu actually) is centrally placed in Garbh-griha. The upper side of
the exterior walls of sanctum is ornamented with the artistic carvation of Vishnu
Vahana Garuda. The Antrala and Mandap part of the temple stand on pillars
with exotic carvations of Gods and Goddesses like Varaha, Narsinha etc.
(ii) Kuleshwar Temple:
Sanctum Decoration
Lord Rajiv-Lochan
Lord Rajiv-Lochan temple [Writer(Left), Mr. Ashish Gadpale, Mr. Midul Guha(Right)]
Lord Rajiv-Lochan temple Entrance [Mr. Ashish Gadpale(Right), Mr. Midul Guha(Left)]
(ii) Kuleshwar Temple:
Coming under Western
Group of temples, it is the temple-place where a massive annual fair fills
every year at the time of Maha-shivratri and is well renowned as Rajim
kumbh. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. A natural Shiv-ling
is believed to have centrally placed here at Kuleshwar temple, which is built
on a high platform, in the confluence of Pairi, Sondhur and Mahanadi
rivers. Interior of the temple walls are carved out by the idols of kartikeya,
Vishnu and Mahisasur-mardini whereas exterior of the temple are
carved with the idols of Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna.
Kuleshwar Mahadev temple
Hieghted Stairs of Kuleshwar temple (Writer-left)
Temple Antaral
Temple Sanctum
Temple Exterior Stone Carvations (Mr. Ashish Gadpale)
Goddess Yamuna (Idol)
(iii)
Ramchandra
Temple:
It’s quite interesting
to see the architecture of Ramchandra temple, the major one amongEastern Group
of temples, where all the interior pillars are decorated with carvations of
Salbanjikas, flower-bearers, amorous couples and attendant deities. Here the
statues of Lord Ram, Laxman and Goddess Sita(in Odisha temple Style) are centrally
placed in the sanctum area.
Ramchandra temple (sanctum)
Ramchandra temple (antral)
(iv)
Archeological
Excavation near Rajiv Lochan Temple
Aided by Archeological
Survey of India, there is some excavation going on the bank of confluence of
Pairi, Sondhur and Mahanadi, besides Rajiv-Lochan temple, which is worth seeing
to watch. Here recently an ancient Shiv-ling, a lotus relic of Goddess Laxmi,
relics of Goddesses Saraswati and Durga have been excavated out.
Here you can easily observe the brick method of temple and settlement formation.
Excavation of ancient relics
Conclusion:
Here, there are many temples which are truly
worth-watching and helps us to get intact to our culture. If you ever get a
chance to visit Raipur, do visit Rajim. Here, there are many more hidden secrets
which strive to get revealed out. Other than, there are many more tourit
attractions nearby, which are truly magnificient to visit, namely Champaran(Raipur),
Tarrighat(Patan, Durg) etc.
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