Not far from the banks of the Narmada river, near one of the bastions of the historic city of Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, stands the ancient Rajrajeshwari Mandir. Mandla was our first introduction to the cultural heritage of the Gond tribals on our Madhya Pradesh tribal trail with Times Passion Trails and Madhya Pradesh Tourism.

Mandla was once the capital of the Northern Gondwana Kingdom (Garha-Mandla). The Rajrajeshwari temple Mandla is an important chapter in the history of the Gond kings and also a standing witness to the culture and heritage of the Gond tribals. Read on to know more about:

• A King’s dream that resulted in the installation of the deity at the Mata Raj Rajeswari Mandir Mandla
• The history of Raj Rajeshwari Temple Mandla
• The beautiful sculptures in the Raj Rajeshwari Mandir Mandla
• How to get to Mandla
• Where to stay in Mandla

Rajrajeshwari Mandir of Mandla – Genesis

It all began with a dream. One night, about 350 years ago, the king of Garh-Mandla, Narendra Shah, was sleeping in his palace after a hard day’s work in the discharge of his royal duties. The rhythm of the Narmada river that flowed on three sides of Mandla lulled the king into a deep sleep. In his sleep, the king had a divine dream. The Goddess Rajrajeshwari, also known as Tripura Sundari, the divine mother appeared before him.

Goddess Rajrajeshwari bade the king to arise and proceed to the Rangdhar mountains where he would find her stone image. She asked him to bring it and instal it in Mandla. The king woke up, his surreal dream still vivid in his mind, and proceeded to do the bidding of Devi Rajarajeshwari.

He himself, along with his royal retinue retrieved the sacred idol of Mata Rajarajeshwari and brought it to Mandla and had it installed there. He had a basic structure to enclose the idol built. From that day, the temple became the centre of faith and belief of the Gond tribals as well as other people who lived in Mandla and the surrounding regions.

This, then, is the legend and story of Rajrajeshwari Devi, and of the birth of the Rajrajeshwari Temple Mandla.

Rajrajeshwari Mandir Mandla – History

The Rajrajeshwari temple of Mandla has a history of about 350 years and has been a witness to the march of time and the swinging fortunes of the town. The ancient Rajrajeshwari mandir whispers many stories about Mandla if you care to listen to its soft and muted voice that resonates from the obscure realms of the past. It tells stories of the Rajgond kings, the era of the Kalachuri kings, the invasion by the Marathas, and the advent of the British.

The installation of the deity is believed to have been done by the Gond king Narendra Shah during his reign between 1688 to 1732. However, by all accounts, he built a primitive and small shelter for the deity, and the current temple was built much later.

Importance Of Rajrajeshwari Mandir In Mandla

If you envision a grand temple with architectural beauty, exquisite carvings, and sculptural finesse, before visiting the Raj Rajeshwari temple Mandla, you are likely to be disappointed. The Raj Rajeshwari temple in Mandla is definitely not in the same league as say the Madurai Meenakshi temple or the temples of Khajuraho.

The importance of the Rajrajeshwari temple lies in the fact that it throws light on the culture and sculptural styles of three different periods, all under one roof. It also shows the evolution of the deities and religious beliefs of the Gond tribals of the region.

Visiting The Mata Raj Rajeswari Mandir Mandla

It was twilight when we reached the ancient Rajrajeshwari temple near the Raj Ghat in Mandla. The temple was bathed in a surreal glow. The freshly white-washed exteriors of the temple gleamed in the semi-darkness. The temple exteriors were plain and devoid of any ornamentation. A few empty niches could be seen on the outer walls.

The influence of the Mughal architectural style was well evident. From the outside, the temple looked like a mosque with small minarets like structures and a central dome. However, saffron flags fluttering from the shikhara and the presence of a Kalasha at the peak of the Shikhara, proclaimed that the structure was a Hindu temple.

The Sanctum Of The Rajrajeshwari Mandir | Raj Rajeshwari Mandir Mandla

The sanctum of the temple has three deities, all of them covered by small tiled enclosures. In the centre is the principal deity, Mata Rajrajeshwari.

The sculpture of Rajrarajeshwari which was brought here by the Gond King Narendra Shah is believed to belong to the time of the Kalachuri dynasty, also known as, “Chedi.” The Kalachuri dynasty ruled over parts of Central India between the 10th and 12th centuries, from their capital known as Tripuri, near present-day Jabalpur.

The main idol of Rajrajeshwari is flanked by the idols of Mahishasuramardini and Mahalakshmi inside the sanctum. The brightly painted door that leads inside the sanctum has beautiful images of the Goddess Narmada Devi and of the mythical king Sahasrabahu. The legendary Sahastrabahu is believed to have been a king of ancient Mahishmati and had been given a thousand hands by Lord Dattatreya.

Sculptures In Rajrajeshwari Temple Mandla – A Timeline Of Mandla’s History | History of Ma Raj Rajeshwari 

The most interesting, as well as the most significant aspect of the Rajrajeshwari temple in Mandla, are the sculptures that adorn the outer hall of the temple, along the Pradakshina path or circumambulatory path. Sculptures of three periods, starting with those of the Kalachuri period, followed by the Gond period, and the Maratha period can be seen here.

The difference in styles and ornamentation is clearly visible as one looks at one sculpture after the other. The sculptures are those of Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. It is believed, that though the Gonds were nature worshippers and did not believe in idol worship, under the Rajput influence, they slowly gravitated towards the worship of Hindu deities.

Some of the important sculptures that stand as mute witnesses to the march of time and history in Mandla at the Rajrajeshwari temple are as under:

Narmada Devi

A beautifully sculpted image of Goddess Narmada depicted as Makarvahini Narmada that dates to the time of the Marathas stands outside the door that leads to the sanctum of the temple.

Sahasrabahu

The mythical king with 1000 hands who according to legend stopped the flow of the Narmada and had a fierce fight with Ravana, and was finally destroyed by Parasurama, is also depicted as a sculpture that stands at the entrance to the sanctum.

Mahishasuramardini

The iconography of Goddess Durga as Mahishasuramardini is apparently common in the many temples that dot the ghats on the river Narmada in Mandla. There is an idol of Mahishsuramardini inside the sanctum as well as one along the Pradakshina Path. The one inside the sanctum is believed to belong to the Kalachuri era, while the one outside belongs to the Maratha period. The sculpture that is outside has headgear and ornaments typical of the Maratha style.

Dulha Dev or Gram Dev (Village Deity)

Dulha Dev or the village deity is a sculpture of the Gonds. The Gond sculptures can be identified by their simplicity of design and lack of elaborate and ostentatious ornamentation. Dulha Dev is a deity that was worshipped during weddings. The blessings of the deity would be sought before and after marriage by the bride and bridegroom’s families.

Lord Vishnu

A beautiful and elaborately sculpted image of Vishnu holding the Shankha, Chakra, Gada, and Padma can be seen, which belongs to the Kalachuri times.

Sun God (Surya)

A sculpture of the Sun God (Surya), with folded hands, is another interesting image on the Pradakshina Path.

Trimurti (Dattatreya)

There is a sculpture of Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv), that stands tall on the Pradakshina path.

The Rajrajeshwari temple in Mandla is important as it opens a window to the history of the region. Its sculptures are not only a bridge that connects different time periods, but also provide valuable information about the culture and religious mores of the people and the rulers.

Images of Raj Rajeshwari Mandir Mandla

Here are a few images of Raj Rajeshwari Mandir Mandla in Madhya Pradesh.

How To Get To The Rajrajeshwari Temple Mandla

• The Rajrajeshwari temple is located in the town of Mandla in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India
• Mandla is about 411 kilometres from Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh
• The distance between Mandla and Jabalpur is about 99 kilometres
• The nearest airport to reach Rajrajeshwari Temple Madhya Pradesh is in Jabalpur at a distance of about 99 kilometres

Where To Stay In Mandla

Mandla is a small town and you will not find luxury or 5-star accommodation here. But there are a few places that provide clean and comfortable accommodation and good food. During our visit, we stayed at the Hotel Shikhar Palace and found it comfortable.

FAQ – Rajrajeshwari Mandir

Where is Raj Rajeshwari Temple?
The Rajrajeshwari Mandir is located in the historic town of Mandla in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Who built Raj Rajeshwari Temple?
The original deity was installed by the Gond King Narendra Shah. The current temple was built later by Govind Sheth of Jabalpur.

In which state is Raj Rajeshwari Temple situated?
The Raj Rajeshwari temple is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Which are other places to visit near Mandla?
The places of interest near Mandla include Moti Mahal in Ramnagar, Chogan temple in the village of Chogan. Kanha Tiger Reserve is just 35 kilometres from Mandla.

 

We visited the Rajrajeshwari temple in Mandla on a tribal trail with Times Passion Trails in association with Madhya Pradesh Tourism.

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