People of Jagdalpur are very spiritual. They believe in age old customs and traditions and worship their local gods. They celebrate each and every festival with great joy and enthusiasm. The temples are beautifully decorated and stuffed with people during festive season. The different tribes in Jagdalpur worship their own local deity and have temples dedicated to them. There are a large number of temples in Jagdalpur. Mention below are some of the famous temples in Jagdalpur that are known for their spirituality.
Danteshwari Temple in Jagdalpur
Located at a distance of 84 kms from Jagdalpur Danteshwari Temple is dedicated to Ma Danteshwari, a local goddess, an incarnation of Shakti. The temple is believed to have divine powers. The temple plays a very important role during the famous festival Bastar Dushherra. Thousands of tribals from Jagdalpur and neighbouring area visit this temple to pay their homage to goddess Danteshwari. The temple is located in Dantewada, south-west of Jagdalpur. The temple is believed to be around 600 years old. It is not only important as a religious place but also very important from historic point of view. The temple depicts the religio-socio-cultural history of the Bastar region. Though this temple is not very famous around the country but carries a huge importance for the people of Bastar.
Historic Importance of the temple
It is believed that Goddess Sati performed self-immolation in the fire pit of yagna kund because her father ‘ Daksha’ has insulted her consort Lord Shiva. The lord Shiva got angry and with Sati in his hands , he stared doing Tandav. Lord Vishnu to free Lord Shiva from anger has cut apart the death body of Sati with his Sudarshan. The body parts of Sati has fallen in 52 different places which werer later converted to Shakti Pithas. The tooth of Sati had fallen here.
Architecture of the temple
It was built in 14th century by the Chalukya kings. The temple has South Indian style of architecture. The idol of main deity is made of black stone. The four parts temple is divided into are Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap. Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap are made of stone pieces. A garud piller stands erect on the entrance of the temple. The shirhara of the temple is sculpted beautifully.
Temples in Barsur
They are located on the banks of river Indrawati, 75 kms from Jagdalpur. Entire area is famous due to the presence of 147 temples and an equal number of ponds here. The temple is believed to be about 1000 years old. Some of the famous temples here are Shiva temple with 32 pillars, black nandi statue and other Shiva temple with 12 pillars, Mama-bhanja-ka-mandir with a height of 50 feets, but miss the presence of any deity. But the most famous is Ganesha temple with huge idols of Ganesha with a size of 8 feet high and over 17 feet wide.
Mavli Temple in Jagdalpur
This temple is located in front of Danteswari temple. The main deity of the temple is Maa Mavli, elder sister of goddess Danteswari. The temple is followed by a series of other temples dedicated to other gods and goddess like Goddess Kali, Shiva(Bhairava). All most all the rituals and offerings on the famous Bastar Dussherra is done in this temple.
Jagannath Temple in Jagdalpur
It is located near to Mavli temple and is dedicated to lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra. The temple is famous for its unique entrance in the shape of lion known as singha dwar (lion gate). The famous Goncha festival of Jagdalpur starts from this very temple. It is also famous for its melodious 'tupki' which is played in honor of lord Jagannath. The main offering to lord in this temple are ripe jack-fruit and germinated mungbean.
Hinglajin Temple in Jagdalpur
These temples are dedicated to goddess Hinglajin, younger sister of goddess Danteswari. There are many Hinglajin temple in Bastar like in Bakavand, Girhola Jaithgiri etc the famous festival of Navratra is celebrated with great zeal in Girhola temple. The main deity is beautifully dressed and ornamented during the festival.
Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Jagdalpur
The Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Balaji or Sri Venkateswara Swamy. This temple is the result of dedication of members of Andhra Association. The temple plays a very important role in serving cultural, social and spiritual dimensions of the people of Jagdalpur.
