Menal(Shiv)Temple in Bhilwara Rajasthan

Here is Some information about Menal(Shiv)Temple in Bhilwara Rajasthan india.

Location: 40 km from Bhilwara and its near by Mandalgarh

Built in: 12th century
Built By: King Prithviraj Chauhan
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Entry: Free
Photography: Allow
Temple Timing: 6:00 Am to 9:00Pm
Significance: One of the best temple
Visiting Timing: 1 to 2 hours
Best time to Visit: April to July
Nearest Railway Station: Bhilwara
Nearest Air Port: Jaipur 260 Km

About Menal Temple

Menal Temple is located about 40 km from Bhilwara and its near by Mandalgarh. Menal is a famous picnic around this area. According to the people this is used to be the mountain retreat of the great Raja Prithviraj Chauhan.On the banks of river a beautiful temples of Lord Shiva during 12th century. People comes here to take a holy dip on occasions Amawas and Poornima in the months of Magh and Kartik. On the occassion of Shivratri a huge fair takes place dedicated to lord Shiva.

Prithviraj Chauhana, who also ruled Delhi for a while, had set his heart on Menal, and it became his favourite mountain retreat when the scorching Rajasthan summer would set in.

For this he built a palace on the banks of the Menal river which runs over granite slabs before finally plunging into a gorge over 122 meters deep. The entrance to the mansion is via a two storeyed gateway carved with images of the gods Ganesha and Bhairava. The square courtyard beyond the entrance houses a huge Shiva temple of stone, built in the ancient Hindu style with a carved pagoda and pillars.

The walls of the temple are carved with motifs of Hindu dieties and various other themes, interspersed with images of elephants. of special mention are the images of Shiva and Parvati which form the chief subject of the engravings. Shiva and Parvati are depicted in various postures and surrounded by dancers, musicians, lesser gods and animals.

Halfway up the pagoda is a large stone lion, perhaps depicting victory. A number of smaller ruined temples lie around the Shiva temple. The 11th century Mahanaleshvara temple is a perfect example of the western Indian style of stone temple architecture.

Picture Gellery of Menal Temple