Prasanna Shree Anchaleshwar Temple Chandrapur City, Tt. Chandrapur, Chandrapur

The Anchaleshwar Mahadev Temple in Chandrapur, renowned as the ‘City of Black Gold,’ is revered as one of the most significant ancient pilgrimage sites in Vidarbha. Nestled on the banks of the Zharpat River, this sacred temple holds unparalleled significance in the history of Chandrapur. According to historical records, the city of Chandrapur was established due to the profound glory of this very temple and has since expanded to become the large city it is today. A unique feature here is the intricate carvings surrounding the temple, which depict no less than 180 distinct expressions of Kirtimukha (a Shiva devotee demon), with each expression being unique.

The legend of the temple states that 500 years ago, the area where Chandrapur city now stands was covered by dense forests. At that time, the Gond kings held sway over this region. Ballarshah on the Wardha River, which is present-day Ballarpur, served as the capital of this kingdom. During that period, King Ballarshah was on the throne. The king suffered from a skin disease, which caused numerous wounds on his body, locally known as ‘khanduk.’ Consequently, the king came to be known as ‘Khandkya Ballarshah.’ Despite various treatments, the wounds on his body showed no signs of healing. One day, while the king was hunting in the vicinity of the Zharpat River, he discovered a pond filled with water in the area. The king drank water from this pond and also applied it to his face. Upon returning to the palace in the evening, his queen, Hiratani, noticed that the wounds on the king’s face had healed, and the extent of the wounds on his body had also diminished.

The king realized that his wounds had healed by drinking and applying the water from the pond on the banks of the Zharpat River. The next day, accompanied by the queen, the king went there, bathed in the pond, and was completely cured. The king and queen discerned that the water possessed miraculous properties, and thus, they had the surrounding forest cleared. As Hiratani was a devout devotee of Lord Shiva, she persuaded the king to construct a small Shiva temple at this spot. While the construction of this temple was underway, an idol of Mahakali was discovered some distance away, leading to the construction of a Mahakali Temple there as well. Subsequently, King Ballarshah decided to build a fort in this area and establish a city, which was accordingly named ‘Chanda.’ This is today’s Chandrapur city, and both these temples are significant pilgrimage sites in Chandrapur.

Some years later, Queen Hirai, wife of King Veerashah who ascended the throne, undertook the renovation and restoration of this temple. The current structure of the Anchaleshwar Temple dates back to the period of Queen Hirai. The exterior of the temple features various attractive sculptures. Adjacent to this temple, Queen Hirai also constructed a grand memorial (samadhi) for King Veerashah. By the end of the 18th century, the Gond kingdom came under the rule of the Bhosales. During the Bhosle period, the temple underwent further renovation. In front of the original temple, a Sabhamandap (assembly hall) was constructed during the Bhosle era. Even today, this temple stands in excellent condition. Thousands of devotees in Chandrapur hold immense faith in this temple.

This temple is also renowned as a temple of sculptures. Among the carved sculptures surrounding the temple, hundreds of expressions of Kirtimukha are intricately carved, alongside various other figures. Exquisite and diverse artistry from the 15th-16th centuries can be witnessed here. The temple’s architecture comprises a Sabhamandap (assembly hall), an Antaral (vestibule), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). Although the Sabhamandap here belongs to a later period, signs of ancient heritage are evident throughout the Antaral and Garbhagriha. Within the Antaral is an idol of Nandi, and in the sanctum sanctorum, located 5 to 6 feet below the Antaral, rests a unique Shiv Pindi. This Shiv Pindi is, in fact, a natural water spring within the Garbhagriha. A living spring flows from within this Pindi, with water continuously emerging from it. Within the temple complex, there are also temples dedicated to Hanuman and Santoshi Mata. On Mahashivratri and Shravani Somwar, the temple witnesses a large congregation of devotees.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery