Samloor
Mahadev temple
(A
blog by Jitendra Nakka)
Introduction
There
are many untrodden places in Chhattisgarh which are yet to be discovered, and
among these places, one such place is Dantewada. Dantewada is the land of many
stories, mysteries and a great past.
Past…….
which is the evidence of some responsible events happened during the
pre-historic period……Past……..which is the proof of some responsible events
during the mythological period…….Past……which is the proof of some unique
architecture and sculpture during the ancient and medieval history. So…..one
such destination where you can see a perfect combination of ancient art &
sculpture, and mythology is the ancient Shiv temple of Samloor Village of
Dantewada.
Courtsey: Om soni
Where
and How to reach?
Samloor
village is situated on the Geedam-Bijapur road(formerly NH-16). Around 9 km after
Geedam, there is one unmetalled road(kachcha road) which goes to Samloor
after 3km. On the east of this village, there is one big pond, on the bank of
which, there lies the beautiful ancient temple of Lord Shiva.
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Courtsey: Om soni
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Courtsey: Om soni
As
this place is very near to Geedam, Samloor is approachable directly from
Geedam. Chhattisgarh tourism board has made a good guest house in the village
of Haaram, in the middle of Geedam-Dantewada road. For the ease of
tourist, there is one rest house of forest department also, there in Dantewada.
It is advisable to take meal from Geedam, as this place very near to Samloor
and is a very important trade centre of South Bastar.
Importance:
Mythological
Importance:
According
to Vedic belief, making Pond/Reservoir leads to Salvation, hence in the olden
days, people were conscious about making water bodies. Hence near all the major
archeological places, you can see a no. of water bodies.
According
to our mythological belief, once there lived a demon king, Banasur who
was a great worshipper of Lord Shiva. It is believed that he used to bath in
this holy pond and used to do Morning Prayer in this temple.
Historical
Importance:
According
to Archaeologists, the dynasty of Gang vansh and Chhindak Nag vansh were great
admirers of art and sculpture and near the adjoining areas of Barsur(as
Samloor too comes near the archeological town of Dantewada), they built a
lot of ponds and temples including the areas of Nelasnaar, Bade Tumnaar,
Samloor e.t.c. The temple of Samloor too seems to look alike the temples of
Barsur, denoting the same age of formation. It is believed to have probably
built around 10th Century A.D.
Religious
Importance:
The Mahadev
temple of Samloor holds great importance in the surrounding areas, as they had
great faith in Lord Shiva and here, a big fair occurs on the occasion of Maha-shiv-raatri.
Art
and Sculpture:
This
temple has a huge shivling of something around 2.25 feets and has a
circumference of around 3 feets. The temple gives an impression of square like
formation. The different style of encarvings can be hardly observed in this
temple. The roof of the garbha-griha is quite high upto more than 20feets. But
as this is hardly visited and maintained by archeological department , the
temple is slowing becoming weathered and ruined and still strives for attention.
Courtsey: Om soni
Courtsey: Om soni
Conclusion:
Here
near the bank of Indravati, there are a lot of relics which are still to be explored,
but this is just the beginning. This temple comes under Archeological Survey of
India, Raipur and still hides a great past, a great mystery to be revealed. The
basic need is to go for more analyzed research. Here you can also visit the
temple of Goddess Kolkaamini, who is considered the deity of the local
people.
Mata Kolkaamini temple Courtsey: Om soni
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