Amarkantak, is a holy land of the mighty rivers Sone and Narmada meet.
This small town in Madhya Pradesh, often called Tirtharaj or King of Pilgrimage, is situated at an altitude of 1000m, at the junction of the three central Indian ranges of Vindhyas, Satpuras, and Maikal. The whole town is dotted with innumerable temples, making it a pilgrimage spot not only for Hindus but also for Jains.
But the star attractions of this place are the Ancient Temples of the Kalachuri Period, built under the supervision of Kalachuri Maharaja Karnadeva between 1042 – 1072 AD. The temples reflect the sheer brilliance of the Kalachuri architecture and are located just behind the Narmada temple in Amarkantak.
The temple complex is one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations, but sadly, it’s hardly visited by the thousands of pilgrims thronging Amarkantak.
The complex consists of several temples, including the Pateleshwar Temple, crowned with a pancharath sikhara and a pyramidal mandap. The Karna Temple, the largest and most prominent temple in the complex, is crowned with a towering ornate sikhara.
But wait, there’s more! The temple complex also contains several other temples, including the Johila Temple, Vishnu Temple, and Shiva Temple. And let’s not forget the Pancha Math Temple, a series of five small temples of different architectural styles located on a single raised platform. That’s right, folks, it’s like a temple party, and everyone’s invited!
If you’re worried about the upkeep of these ancient wonders, don’t be. The temples are currently under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and are very well-maintained with manicured lawns and landscape gardening.
So, if you’re ever in Amarkantak, be sure to swing by the Ancient Temples of the Kalachuri Period.