Shivri-Narayan Temple
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)
Introduction
Chhattisgarh has a great past which is evident of its glorious history, mythology, archeology, art and culture, customs and tradition. Chhattisgarh is evident of great rulers and dynasties who lead the foundation of great art and sculpture in this region. Chhattisgarh is evident of a truly devoted story of a motherly disciple who led her whole life in the worship of her Lord, Chhattisgarh is evident of great past of Shivri-Narayan.
Where and How to reach?
Situated on the bank of confluence of River Mahanadi, Shivnath and Jonk, Shivri-Narayan lies in Pamgarh block of Janjgir-Champa district. It is nearly 190 kms from State Head Quarter, Raipur. Bilaspur and Janjgir are the nearest railway stations, whereas Raipur is the nearest airport available. This site is approachable throughout all the seasons of the year via Bilaspur-Girodpuri road. Numerous hotels are available at Bilaspur providing exciting tourist packages.
Importance:
As I have told earlier, this place is full of mythology, great history and archeology. Lets go through it:
Mythological Importance:
This place speaks about an incident of Ramayana where great Shabari happened to have offered her half-eaten fruits "Berry" to Lord Ram and his brother Laxman, with the devotion and love. Hence this place 'Shivri-Narayan' received its name after her devotion towards Lord Ram.
Shabari was a tribal princess, whose actual name was Shramanaa. She belonged to Bhil Community where she escaped her marriage after realizing that numerous animals will be killed just for the sake of her marriage. She went to Dandkaranya(Present Bastar division), where a saint Rishi Matang, contented by her devotion and service, allowed her to accomodate in his aashram. She lived there untill her oldage, when she met Lord Ram and his brother, Laxman.
Historical and Archeological Importance:
This place has two temple, which has been assumed to have built during the reign of great dynasty of Kalchuries. One of the temple is called Narayan temple, where the spiritual idol of Lord Ram(Vishnu-Avtar) has been centrally placed. This temple has been renovated and white washed in the recent past.
Other than this, the wall of the outer courtyard and outer side of temple also depicts different idols of Gods and Goddesses.
Conclusion:
A big fair fills here at the time of Mahashivratri is worthseeing. Apart from this temple, there are some more temples like Jagannath temple, Kharaud Mahadev temple etc which too add to the beauty of this place. This place holds great importance as one of the most important pilgrim site of Chhattisgarh. Like Jagannath temple of Puri, Orissa and Dwarika of Gujrat, this place is revered as the gupt-dham of Chhattisgarh. It is also called as the Jagannath-Puri of Chhattisgarh.
(A blog by Jitendra Nakka)
Introduction
Chhattisgarh has a great past which is evident of its glorious history, mythology, archeology, art and culture, customs and tradition. Chhattisgarh is evident of great rulers and dynasties who lead the foundation of great art and sculpture in this region. Chhattisgarh is evident of a truly devoted story of a motherly disciple who led her whole life in the worship of her Lord, Chhattisgarh is evident of great past of Shivri-Narayan.
Shivri-Narayan temple
Where and How to reach?
Situated on the bank of confluence of River Mahanadi, Shivnath and Jonk, Shivri-Narayan lies in Pamgarh block of Janjgir-Champa district. It is nearly 190 kms from State Head Quarter, Raipur. Bilaspur and Janjgir are the nearest railway stations, whereas Raipur is the nearest airport available. This site is approachable throughout all the seasons of the year via Bilaspur-Girodpuri road. Numerous hotels are available at Bilaspur providing exciting tourist packages.
Source: Maps of India (Official Site)
Importance:
As I have told earlier, this place is full of mythology, great history and archeology. Lets go through it:
Mythological Importance:
This place speaks about an incident of Ramayana where great Shabari happened to have offered her half-eaten fruits "Berry" to Lord Ram and his brother Laxman, with the devotion and love. Hence this place 'Shivri-Narayan' received its name after her devotion towards Lord Ram.
Shabari was a tribal princess, whose actual name was Shramanaa. She belonged to Bhil Community where she escaped her marriage after realizing that numerous animals will be killed just for the sake of her marriage. She went to Dandkaranya(Present Bastar division), where a saint Rishi Matang, contented by her devotion and service, allowed her to accomodate in his aashram. She lived there untill her oldage, when she met Lord Ram and his brother, Laxman.
Historical and Archeological Importance:
This place has two temple, which has been assumed to have built during the reign of great dynasty of Kalchuries. One of the temple is called Narayan temple, where the spiritual idol of Lord Ram(Vishnu-Avtar) has been centrally placed. This temple has been renovated and white washed in the recent past.
Shivri-Narayan temple
The other temple is Goddess Shabari temple, where Goddess Parvati is believed to have centrally settled in the form of Goddess Shabari. This temple is quite old and still drives the attention of Govt. to be renovated. This temple depicts the great art & sculture of Kalchuris. In the very front, one can observe, the idols of Dwarpals and Goddesses Ganga-Yamuna with perfect symmetry on either sides of the walls. The centrally placed idol of Goddess Shabari is nearly 6 feet tall and 1.5-2 feet wide, completely disguises some one with the body of a real Goddess.
Goddess Shabari temple
Goddess Shabari temple
Idol of Goddess Shabari
Idol of Goddess Shabari
Idols of Dwarpal and Ganga-Yamuna
Wall Ornamentation
Other than this, the wall of the outer courtyard and outer side of temple also depicts different idols of Gods and Goddesses.
Idol of Lord Vishnu
Conclusion:
A big fair fills here at the time of Mahashivratri is worthseeing. Apart from this temple, there are some more temples like Jagannath temple, Kharaud Mahadev temple etc which too add to the beauty of this place. This place holds great importance as one of the most important pilgrim site of Chhattisgarh. Like Jagannath temple of Puri, Orissa and Dwarika of Gujrat, this place is revered as the gupt-dham of Chhattisgarh. It is also called as the Jagannath-Puri of Chhattisgarh.
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