Shiv Temple at Markanda , Chamorshi

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India /Maharashtra /Gadchiroli /Chamorshi

Markanda is a village in Chamorshi Tahsil situated on the left bank of the Wainganga river about 50.37 km. south of Gadchiroli. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Shiv Temple at Markanda , Chamorshi is a small village in Chamorshi Tahsil situated on the left bank of the Wainganga river about 50.37 km. south of Gadchiroli and known amongst the Hindus as a place of pilgrimage. It is not far away from Chamorshi, and the archaeological finds discovered between Markanda and Chamorshi, including broken idols, go to suggest that at one time Markanda must have been a large and prosperous township extending up to Chamorshi. Markanda is supposed to derive its name as well as fame from sage Markandeya who according to the Hindu holy scriptures worshipped Siva here and obtained immortality and secondly from a beautiful group of temples,including the one housing Siva linga which Markandeya is believed to have worshipped, built in rich purple coloured stone finely situated on a high bluff overlooking the river. The small hillocks, the group of temples and the river flowing below have made Markanda a pleasing spot. The more pious of the Hindu worshippers here picture Wainganga as chafing uneasily in her bed and meditating the last despairing sweep northwards to join the waters of holy Mother Ganga. For some miles the river has its will, but the relentless fate is too strong for it and hurries it southwards away from the haven where it would be.

Shiv Temple at Markanda,Chamorshi

HistoryEdit

There are nearly twenty four temples in the group and are enclosed in a quadrangle measuring 59.74×35.96 metres (196’x 118′), with entrances on the river side, in front and in two side walls. Some of these are in complete ruins, and others are very small, but the general effect is very impressive. ” The whole taken together,” wrote Sir Cunningnam, ” forms perhaps the most picturesque group of temples that I have seen. There are no inscriptions to tell their age, but their style is so similar to that of the Candel temples of Khajuraho and other places, that there can be little doubt, that they belong to the same period of 10th and 11th centuries”. It is said that when Bibhisan, the brother of Ravan, the prince of the Raksasas, was sick, Hemadpant the minister of the Yadavas, cured him and the grateful patient told him to ask for a boon. Hemadpant asked for the aid of Raksasas to build temples wherever he might require them. The boon was granted but on condition that the Raksasas were not to work for more than one night at a time. Hemadpant accordingly built all the temples at Markanda, Bhandak, Neri, etc., in one night. This is a stock story told about the temples of Hemadpanti origin in this district as also the rest of Maharastra. Hemadpant has been indentified with Hemadri, the Srikarnadhipa or the Head of the Secretariat of the Yadava Kings of Devagiri, Maha-dev and Ramcandra. He was a renowned Sanskrt scholar. But Hemadri’s date is 1260-71 A.D. and the archaeologists date the Markanda temples about 10th or 11th century A.D.

Must SeeEdit

Popular

Visiting TimeEdit

Morning: 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Evening: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Closed OnEdit

N.A.

Best Season to VisitEdit

October to March.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon, Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

1-2 Hours.

Ticket Required : No Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : No Edit

Approximate cost: N.A.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: N.A.

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : N.A

BUS : The Gadchiroli district has well connected road links to other adjoining districts as Chandrapur, Bhandara & Nagpur.The town Gadchiroli is situated about 180 Kms from Nagpur and 80 Kms away from Chandrapur of Vidarbha region. It takes around two hours journey from Chandrapur and 4 hours journey from Nagpur by State Transport Bus to reach Gadchiroli. Also, private luxury buses are run from Nagpur and Chandrapur for Gadchiroli.

Train : The nearest railway station is at Chandrapur at a distance of 80 km. Gadchiroli has 18.5 km of railway lines passing through the northwestern part of the district.

Air : The nearest airport is at Nagpur 180 km.

Others : N.A

Things to CarryEdit

Carry Camera & Plenty of Water.

Safety / WarningEdit

Do not consume non vegetarian food before visiting the temple.
Do not touch the deities under any circumstances.
Do not wear any leather items like belts. Do not smoke, drink or chew tobacco or betel leaves inside the temple.