Chhoti Kashi’s Panchvaktra temple demands attention

Dipender Manta

Also known as Chhoti Kashi, Mandi town has 80 temple of Lord Shiva. Panchvaktra temple is one such temple in the vicinity of the town, which is known for its unique architecture and stone carvings.

The temple is situated at the confluence of the Suketi and Beas rivers and is a major tourist attraction as well. 

However, there is a need to develop the temple site, which is lying in an utter state of neglect for the past many years. Panchvaktra temple is a supreme shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, which experiences huge rush of devotees during the Maha Shivratri festival annually. It is said that it is one of its kinds of temple built in Northern India. It is built in the typical Shikhara architecture style. According to locals, the foundation date of the Panhvaktra temple is still unknown. As per historical facts, the temple was restored under the reign of Sidh Sen’s kingship (1684-1727) as it was damaged due to floods. The main porch or Mandap of the temple is supported by four minutely carved pillars.

It is one of the protected monuments in Mandi town, which comes under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been declared a national site. Inside the temple, there is a huge statue of Lord Shiva. The statue has five faces, which depict different characters of Lord Shiva — Aghora (destructive nature), Ishana (omnipresent and omnipotent), Tat Purusha (ego), Vaamdeva (female facet) and Rudra (his creative and destructive aspect). Panchvaktra is defined as the union of all these.

The temple is situated at a peaceful place, full of tranquility, on the banks of Beas and Suketi rivers, away from the hustle and bustle of the town. 

Birbal Sharma, chairperson, of Puratatav Chetna Sangh and Founder of Himachal Darshan Photo Gallery, said: “The Panchvaktra temple, no doubt, is our prestigious heritage. It is an interesting stone sculpted monument (a temple) on the banks of Beas River. The carvings on the surface include divine figures, writings and other decoration.”

“Despite its uniqueness, unfortunately no efforts were made to explore the temple premises for the attraction of domestic and foreign tourists in the past. There was a proposal to make a pool of water in the vicinity of temple and beautify its surrounding, but nothing happened on ground. There is an urgent need to develop this place for religious tourism and maintain roads leading towards the temple. It can be a great place for meditation, as it is situated away from the town,” he said. 

Nutan Sharma, a renowned story writer of Mandi town, said: “There are many classical temples, which the Archaeological Survey of India has declared ‘protected monuments’ due to their historical significance. The primary ones being the ‘Panchvaktra Temple’, situated at the confluence of Rivers Beas and Suketi; ‘Ardhnareshwar Temple’, which is one of the very few temples of its kind in India. ‘Triloknath Temple’ is located on the right bank of the Beas River, which is also under the Archaeological Survey of India.

He said there were several other temples in Mandi town, which had its own historical significance and attraction for tourists. The town can be developed for religious tourism and the state government should make some efforts in this direction.

Laxmi Chander, conservation assistant of the Archaeology Survey of India at Mandi, said: “The department is planning to do some maintenance work on the temple premises in the coming days and the estimate of the work will be done soon for the approval of funds.”

Protected monument under ASI 

The temple is situated at the confluence of the Beas river and Suketi rivulet. However, there is a need to develop the temple site, which is lying in an utter state of neglect for the past many years. Panchvaktra temple is a supreme shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, which experiences huge rush of devotees during the Maha Shivratri festival annually. Built in typical Shikhara architecture style, the foundation date of the Panhvaktra temple is still unknown. As per historical facts, the temple was restored under the reign of Sidh Sen's kingship (1684-1727) as it was damaged due to floods. The main porch or Mandap of the temple is supported by four minutely carved pillars. It is one of the protected monuments in Mandi town, which comes under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been declared a national site. Inside the temple, there is a huge statue of Lord Shiva. The statue has five faces, which depict different characters of Lord Shiva — Aghora (destructive nature), Ishana (omnipresent and omnipotent), Tat Purusha (ego), Vaamdeva (female facet) and Rudra (his creative and destructive aspect). Panchvaktra is defined as the union of all these.