![]() Mahishasur Mardini Temple, Chaiturgarh, Korba, Chhattisgarh: Chaiturgarh (Lafargarh) is situated around 70 km away from Korba town, 25 km north of Pali and is situated at a height of 3060 feet above the sea level. The fort was constructed by Raja Pratwidev I. Archaeologists consider it as one of the strongest natural fort. On the hilltop there is a plain, flat area spanning around 5km, with five ponds. Three of them are perennially full of water. It is here that the legendary, medieval Mahishasur Mardini Temple is located. The idol of Mahishasur Mardini, or Goddess Durga in her 'Shakti' manifestation is installed in the sanctum sanctorum, containing 12 hands. Madwarani, Korba, Chhattisgarh: Madwarani Mandir is 22 km from Korba on the Korba-Champa Road. Atop a hill a temple of Goddess Madwarani can be viewed, who is speculated to be unmarried. This temple was built during the time of Navratri, when the jowar crop was growing below the Kalmi tree, nearby. However, this is only a lore believed by the local people. Every year, a fair is organised during the time of Navratri, quite evidently, in the months of September-October. Sarvamangala, Korba, Chhattisgarh: Sarvamangala is considered as a highly sacred temple of Goddess Durga by her loyal devotees. It was built by the ancestors of the landlord (zamindar) of Korba, Rajeshwar Dayal. There is a cave near the temple that goes under the river and comes out on the other side as Badal Mahal. This very cave was used by Rani Dhanraj Kunwar Devi to visit the temple for her daily 'darshan'. But, in present days the cave pathways are closed. To the left of the temple is the Triloknath Mandir, accompanied by the Kali Mandir and Jyoti Kalash Bhavan. ![]() Shiva Temple, Pali, Korba, Chhattisgarh: The town of Pali gains considerable importance in the Chhattisgarh territory solely due to the presence of the Shiva Temple, considered an august pilgrim site. It was built in 12th century AD in the lines of the Mahadev Temple at Markanda. However, the Shiva temple of Pali displays only two registers of sculptures, which differentiates it from the Markanda Shiva Temple. The town of Pali is located at a distance of 58 km from Korba. Sankatmochan Hanuman Mandir, Kudurmal, Korba. Chhattisgarh: Sankatmochan Hanuman Mandir is situated in Kudurmal, Korba District. The temple was built by Mahatma Kevlal Patel, a prominent Saint of Kabir Sect. The presiding deity understandably is of Lord Hanuman. The unique feature of the temple is that the doorway and the staircases do not face in the same direction, as is the case of almost all other temples. The stairs face the north while the doors face the south. The fact remains that, Lord Hanuman is an ardent worshipper of Lord Balaji and so after the establishment of the Balaji Temple, the face of the deity was kept turned towards the north, while the body faced the south. Tuman Temples of the Hindu Trinity, Tuman, Korba, Chhattisgarh: Tuman is a small village about 23 km northwest of Katghora in Korba. It was the first capital when the Haihai or Kalchuri Kings came to Chhattisgarh for the maiden time. Tuman gained archaeological importance owing to the 15 ruins of intricately sculptured stones principally of ancient temples. Several images of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva have been excavated from the ruins. The primary temple features detailed carvings of Dashavatar-the ten incarnations of Vishnu, Goddess Ganga and Goddess Yamuna. The carvings reminisce the temple architectures of Pali and Janjgir. The Jatashankar River flows nearby. |