Homage to Mahadev: Ancient Shiv Temples of Himachal Pradesh
Contents: Preface. Introduction. I. 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. II. Kangra District. 7. Rock-cut Shiv Temple at Masrur. 8. Vaidyanath Temple at Baijnath. III. Lahul and Spiti District. 9. Trilokinath Temple at Tunde. IV. 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. V. 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. VI. Hamirpur District. 32. Ancient Shiv Temple at Village Amman. 33. Narmadeshvar Temple at Tira-Sujanpur. VII. Bilaspur District. 34. The Vanished Rangnath Temple of Bilaspur. VIII. Sirmaur District. 35. Shiv Temple at Mangarh. IX. 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.
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 and 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.
