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 Introduction to Shiva Temple Alwar:
The Temples in Alwar are amongst the prime Tourist Attractions in Alwar. And of these the Shiva Temple or what is more popularly known as the Neelkanth Temple located within the precincts of the Sariska National Park is very popular. Even to this day it is flocked by a large number of Hindu devotees. Ascertain that it is a part of your Tour to Alwar. Offer your prayers and at the same time witness the beauty of this large pyramidal domed temple perched on top of a hillock.
History of Shiva Temple in Alwar:
According to history, this place was once the capital of the Bargujar tribe of the Rajputs and was known by the name of Rajor or Rajorgarh. There were as many as 360 temples out here. Each was nothing short of a gem carved in stone. Following the havoc unleashed upon them by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, most of them were destroyed. Only a few of the temples could survive those destructive raids. And of these particularly mention worthy is the Shiva Temple. In all probability it dates back to the 10th century as is evident from the mark 1010 clearly visible on the figure of Ganesha but in spite of being more than thousand years old it has still retained much of its former magnificence.
According to popular legend the Shiva Temple was built by the Pandavas. In the last year of their exile they were passing through this region when the idea struck them and in no time it materialized as well.
Folklore also has it that the Lord Shiva opposed Raja Jai Singh's army when they were out to conquer this land. This prompted the king to immediately offer his prayers to the Lord. He at the same time vowed to appoint priests who would regularly worship in the temple. A lamp would also burn eternally in his honor at this Shiva Temple. It is commonly believed that the first of the priests appointed by him was Bhartrihari. He as well as the other priests are all buried in front of the temple. Small, hollow oval shaped structures are built over all these graves and that of Bhartrihari is distinguished from the rest because his is the largest of all. The entombed graves or Samadhi all lie at the foot of the stairs.
Description of Shiva Temple in Rajasthan, India:
The Shiva Temple in Rajasthan, India has a very impressive structure. Figures of Gods, Goddesses, men and women adorn the walls of the temple. The columns of the temples bear a great deal of resemblance to the column at Baroli in Mewar. They are admirably sculptured.
This beautifully decorated temple was initially an open temple. There were no walls; the three domes were supported by the pillars. Much later when Rajah Jai Singh of Ajmer became the ruler of Alwar, he took the initiative and constructed the walls. As for the domes they were dedicated to Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh or Shiva. The domes built in honor of Lord Brahma and Vishnu was destroyed by Aurangzeb. But thankfully the largest of them all dedicated to Lord Shiva still stands.
The Shiva Temple is sure to impress visitors with its exquisite carvings and sculptures. In fact it would be no exaggeration to refer to the temple as a veritable museum. The stone carvings, particularly on the Shikhara reflect exemplary craftsmanship. Realizing the value of these temples, the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958 declared them to be of national importance. They are Alwar's as well as Rajasthan's treasure and well mirror the dexterity of our artisans who lived so many centuries ago.
One cannot really afford to miss out on them and it is sure to be all the more better if the visit can be planned during the special Shiv Puja in the monsoon season or at the time of the Mahashivratri Mela.
IndianHoliday.com provides online information on the Shiva Temple in Alwar, Rajasthan and the other Temples in Alwar. Keep browsing through the pages of this site for extensive online information on Rajasthan. To book a Tour to Alwar or to clarify queries, fill up the form given below
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