Category:Dhumnath Dhumeshwari temple, Sargaon

Dhumnath Dhumeshwari temple, Sargaon 

A 12th to 13th century Hindu temple
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Instance of	Hindu temple
Location	Chhattisgarh, India
21° 54′ 04.2″ N, 81° 58′ 31.64″ E
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Built about late 12th century or early 13th century by the Kalchuri dynasty, the Dhumnath temple is a damaged stone temple in Sargaon village. It was meant for Shiva, but was abandoned after its Sikhara was torn down, artwork mutilated and sanctum damaged in an invasion of the region by Sultanates. Centuries later, the temple was reclaimed and cleaned up by the villagers. The remnants of the original Shiva linga was marked with sindoor (vermillion) and consecrated as a goddess Maa Dhumeshwari (Durga form). It has been an active goddess temple ever since.

The temple faces east, has an antarala, but it is unclear if it ever has a mandapa and other structures. This is because homes, shops and an Islamic monument have been built very close to the temple. The original premises and entrance are lost, a village road runs to the immediate north of the temple.

On the outer walls of the sanctum are parallel bands of Hindu art in this pancharatha temple. The notable panels that can traced include Ganesha, Harihara, Surya, Indra, Yama, Varuna, Chamundi and Durga Mahisasuramardini. Additionally, some panels of yogis, rishis, mithuna-kama and artha scenes can be identified, despite the damage to the limbs and faces. Ganga and Yamuna goddesses grace the sides of sanctum entrance, while four armed Shiva is on the lalitabimba.