Famous Temples in India

Architecture

This temple is facing east and It is built on three feet high platform. This temple has two rectangular sanctum sanctorums with a joint Mandapam. Both the sanctum sanctorum houses Shivalingas namely Someshwara and Gangadeshwara. The Shivalinga is in the Triratha style and can be rotated. A relief image of Ganesha can be found on the lintel at the entrance of the sanctum. Nandi can be found facing each sanctum. There is a circumbulatory path around each sanctum. The Shikara over the sanctum is completely destroyed. The Sanctum walls are devoid of sculptures, reliefs and ornamentation. The Mandapam consists of 32 stone pillars having 4 rows and eight columns, due to which the temple came to be called as Battisa Temple. There are gates in all three directions to enter the pavilion.

As per the inscriptions available in the temple, these two temples were constructed in 1209 A.D. (Shaka Samvat 1130) by the Ganga Mahadevi, Queen of Nagavanshi ruler Someshwara Deva. One temple was named as Someshwara after his husband and other was named as Gangadeshwara. The inscription also states that Keramruka village was donated for the expenses and maintenance of the temple. This inscription is currently preserved in the museum of Nagpur. Inscriptions and coins circulated by Nala Dynasty Kings have been found in Chhattisgarh and Dandakaranya region. King Bhavdatt Varman of Nala Dynasty gained victory over many places of Southern Bastar. A Gangavanshi ruler of Odisha in 850 A.D. invaded Dandakaranya region and established his Kingdom.