The Mahadev Temple in Deobaloda, in the Indian State of Chhattisgarh, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple dates back to the Kalchuri Period. This heritage site is protected under the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple is complete with “garbhgriha” (The Sanctum Sanctorum) and Mandap, but the dome seems to be missing. The temple witnesses high footfall during Mahashivratri when the devotees from nearby villages gather here for Lord Shiva’s blessings. The event is also accompanied by a small fair. The fair is famous far and wide. What makes the temple special are the stories handed over from generation to generation by word of mouth.
It is said that the architect who was engaged in building the temple had left it incomplete and jumped into the pond adjacent to it. Hence the dome could not be built. It is also said, that, there is a secret tunnel inside the pool which comes out in Aarang. The architect found the tunnel and escaped to Aarang where he built a similar temple, complete with the dome.
Devotees claim that the temple was built in “Chhamasi” (meaning six months). Hense it is also called a Chhamasi temple. They also say that it was a time when there was no sun for six months at a stretch. But there is no mention of any such period in the history of Astronomy. Culturalist and teacher Ramkumar Verma says that perhaps the construction of the temple took a long time and people converted this long time into a six months.
The temple can be reached by road across the railway track in Charoda towards south.
– Uma Kashyap
MA English (1st sem),
Indira Gandhi Govt. Arts, Science and Commerce P. G. College, Vaishali Nagar, Bhilai, Durg (C.G.)
Legendary Mahadev Temple of Deobaloda
