Shiv Temples in Dangs, Gujarat

Three shiv temples at Khatal, Chinchli and Morzira – all on the banks of river Purna, are believed to be built between 15^th and 18^th century. Shiv temple at village Khatal, 20 km from Ahwa off Ahwa-Vyara road, is believed to be the oldest among the three. Idols of lord Ganpati and lord Brahma and sculpture on pillars indicate the timing of early 15^th century. These temples are built in Hemadpanthi architectural style. The style is named after its introducer and founder, the prime minister named Hemadpant, in the court of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri in Maharashtra. The specialty of this style was that no mortar or lime-stone was used in the construction. The temples were constructed by fixing the stones or mould one above the other.

Khatal Shiv Temple

The Hemadpanthi temples are divided into three parts: the entry is called Sabha Mandap, the middle portion Antrayal and the last is called the Gabhara.

Another important way to recognize the Hemadpanthi Temple is the carvings on the entrance to Gabhara. There are a fixed set of carvings starting with ‘Toran’ on the innermost lining then the ‘Anand Sthar’ followed by ‘Kalash’ and lastly the carvings of ‘Vyaal’. Vyaal is an old animal, presently extinct but its said that tiger (Vagh) in its present form has evolved from Vyaal. The Anand Sthar is generally depicted on the entrance of the Gabhara or in the later stages of the carvings is on the Pillars of the temple. But Anand Sthar is most important part of Hemadpanthi Temple and has to be there in each and every temple built in the style of Hemadpanthi.

Temple at Chinchli, around 40 km from Ahwa on Ahwa-Nawapur road, is believed to be built in the early 18^th century by Ahalyabai Holkar. Ruins have been repaired by the villagers. Morzira is a village located 28 km from Ahwa on Ahwa-Navapur road. The ruins of a shiv temple are found on a stream en route village Don from Morzira. 

Khatal Shiv Temple