Aryan Books

Homage to Mahadev: ANCIENT SHIV TEMPLES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

By :- O.C. Handa

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Type: English

Pages: 306

Format: Hard Bound

ISBN-13: 9788173057168

Edition: 1st

Publisher: ARYAN BOOKS INTERNATIONAL

Size: 16cm x 24cm

Product Year: 2025

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Himachal Pradesh has been generally eulogised as the Dev-bhumi, i.e. the Realm of Divine, but given the number of ancient temples dedicated to Shiv and his numerous manifestations, it may aptly be called Shiv-bhumi, i.e. the Land of Shiv. The snow-clad peaks and the perilous mountainous passes are considered the abode of Shiv. Being closely associated with the snow-clad Western Himalayan heights, Shiv is regarded as the eternal custodian of the weather, land, life and culture of the people of the Western Himalayan region in general and Himachal Pradesh in particular.

It may be perhaps for that reason that Himachal Pradesh has innumerable stone temples of North Indian architectural style as well as the ‘ageless’ deodar wood temples designed and built by the Pahari artisans in the typically Pahari architectural style dedicated to Lord Shiv. Those temples are not only architectural marvels, but they are also very rich in artistic woodcarvings. In the present study, the most important and venerable 38 ancient temples spread over the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Lahul & Spiti, Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Sirmaur and Shimla have been studied and discussed in detail, with due regard to their religious, historical, architectural, structural and artistic aspects. In fact, Shaivism is one of the most ancient and popular cults in Himachal Pradesh, where Shiv is known by various classical and local names. Besides, these temples of the popular faith also command considerable religious following.

The book is illustrated with a number of colour plates and drawings. For the convenience of academicians, researchers and general readers, an exhaustive glossary of classical terms used in this book, has also been appended.

Preface

Acknowledgements

List of Figures

List of Plates

Introduction

1. Chamba District

1. Chandrashekhar Shiv Temple at Saho

2. Bhuvaneshvar Shiv Temple at Rajnagar

3. Triambkeshvar Temple

4. Gauri-Shankar Temple

5. Chandragupta Temple

6. Mani Mahesh Temple at Brahmaur

2. Kangra District

7. Rock-cut Shiv Temple at Masrur

8. Vaidyanath Temple at Baijnath

3. Lahul & Spiti District

9. Trilokinath Temple at Tunde

4. Kullu District

10. Dakshineshvar Mahadev Temple at Nirmand

11. Gauri-Shankar Temple at Jagatsukh

12. Gauri-Shankar Temple at Dashal

13. Gauri-Shankar Temple at Nagar

14. Jageshvar Mahadev Temple at Dalash

15. Mahadev Temple at Samshar

16. Mahadev Temple at Behana

17. Vishveshvar Mahadev Temple at Bajaura

5. Mandi District

18. A Prelude to the Mandi Temples

19. Bhootnath Temple at Mandi

20. Trilokinath Temple at Mandi

21. Panchavaktra Mahadev Temple at Mandi

22. Batuk Bhairav Temple

23. Ardhanareshvar Temple at Mandi

24. Mahamrityunjay Temple at Mandi

25. Ekadash Rudra Temple at Mandi

26. Mahadev (Shiv) Temple at Mahadev

27. Rock-cut Ardhanareshvar Temple

28. Rock-cut Images of Sadashiv at Mandi

29. Rock-cut Shiv-lingam and Nandi at Mandi

30. Gauri-Shankar Temple at Mamel

31. Magaru Mahadev Temple at Chhatari

6. Hamirpur District

32. Ancient Shiv Temple at Village Amman

33. Narmadeshvar Temple at Tira-Sujanpur

7. Bilaspur District

34. The Vanished Rangnath Temple of Bilaspur

8. Sirmaur District

35. Shiv Temple at Mangarh

9. Shimla District

36. Koteshvar Mahadev Temple at Koti

37. Mangaleshvar Mahadev at Balag

38. Temple Complex at Hatkoti

Glossary of the Classical Terms

Bibliography of the Referred Works

Index 247

Dr. O. C. Handa (born 2nd Oct. 1936 at Mandi in H.P.) is a well-known connoisseur of art and culture, having been in the field for more than half a century. He is an outstanding scholar of the history and archaeology of India in general and the Himalayan region in particular.

Dr. Handa holds a post-doctoral degree in History. Having come from a civil engineering background, he underwent training in Archaeology and was in-charge of Museums & Archaeology in Himachal Pradesh and was the Director of the International Roerich Museum Trust.

He has authored thirty-five books on various aspects of Indian culture and contributed more than five hundred papers in national and international journals and volumes including the Encyclopaedia of Hinduism.

The Government of Himachal Pradesh honoured him with the Prerana Strot Samman (2018) and Shikhar Samman (2020). Besides, several organisations have honoured him for his achievements in various fields.

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