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{{Infobox temple|image=0012523 Siddheshwar temple, Palari, Chhattisgarh 045.jpg|deity=[[Shiva]]}}'''Siddheshwar Temple''' is a temple located in Palari, in the Indian state of [[Chhattisgarh]].

== History ==
From the style of its architecture, it is inferred that this temple was constructed about fifty years after the Lakshmana Temple at Sirpur, which is dated 595–605. This would put the approximate date of its construction in the middle of the seventh century CE.{{Sfn|Stadtner|1981|p=49}}

== Description ==
The west-facing temple has a stellate plan, and is located within a courtyard. It is built entirely out of brick, except for the doorway and a new porch, which are built of stone.

=== Entrance ===
[[File:0012523_Siddheshwar_temple,_Palari,_Chhattisgarh_061.jpg|thumb|The upper frieze depicts the wedding of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]]. Below it is the lintel of the entrance, with [[Brahma]] and [[Vishnu]] at the corners, and [[Lakulisha]] with his four disciples in the center.]]
The doorway is elaborately carved, and its organization as well as placement of the deities is influenced by the earlier Indal Deul temple. It is flanked by life-sized sculptures of [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]] and [[Yamuna]] on the left and right respectively. Above these river deities are depictions of the "guardians of the directions" or [[Guardians of the directions|Ashtadikpalas]]—[[Vayu]], [[Nirṛta]], and [[Varuna]] are located above the image of Ganga, while [[Kubera]], [[Ishana]], and [[Agni]] are above Yamuna. On the left jamb is [[Indra]] along with his consort, seated upon [[Airavata]].{{Sfn|Stadtner|1981|pp=51-52}}

On its lintel, in the center is a four-armed depiction of [[Lakulisha]], surrounded by his four traditional disciples; Kushika and [[Garga (sage)|Garga]] on the left, and [[Mitra]] and Kaurushya on the right. Towards the left of the disciples is a representation of [[Brahma]] seated upon [[Hamsa (bird)|Hamsa]]. Corresponding to this, on the right, is [[Vishnu]] seated upon [[Garuda]]. The lintel is at the same level as the carved guardians of the directions. Above this level is a long frieze, which depicts three [[Shaivism|Shaivite]] scenes. The center of the frieze, above the lintel, depicts the wedding of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]], being witnessed by various attendants and musicians. To the left is Shiva slaying an elephant-demon, and to the right is Shiva in combat with the demon [[Andhaka]].{{Sfn|Stadtner|1981|pp=51-52}}

=== Shikhara ===
The temple tower is adorned with [[gavaksha]]s, each being crowned with a lion.

=== Pillars ===
The entrance to the courtyard has two pillars, upon one of which is a life-sized male figure. These were probably a part of a [[mandapa]], with at least four pillars (the two pillars would have a matching counterpart each). The placement of life-sized sculptures on pillars is first seen here. It is an adaptation of a long-standing tradition of such sculptures on the [[pilaster]]s of temples, as seen in the [[Sirpur Group of Monuments|Sirpur]] and in the [[Rajiv Lochan Temple|Rajiv Lochan]] temple.{{Sfn|Stadtner|1981|p=52}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===

* {{Cite journal |last=Stadtner |first=Donald M. |date=1981 |title=The Siddhesvara Temple at Palāri and the Art of Kosala during the Seventh and Eighth Centuries |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4434249 |journal=Ars Orientalis |volume=12 |pages=49–56 |issn=0571-1371}}
{{commons category|Siddheshwar Mandir, Palari}}

{{coord|21.53473|82.17767|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=title}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Chhattisgarh]]

Siddheshwar Mandir, Palari - Revision history

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