Markandeshwar Temple, Tq.Chamorshi

Markandadeo village is a popular place of God ‘Shiva’ and is grandeur for
religious people not only in Maharashtra but also everywhere in India. It comes under  Chamorshi Tahsil in Gadchiroli sub division. Village population is about 1000. The village is situated on the bank of Vainganga River

How to Reach Markanda ?
Markanda village is situated at 65 kms away from Chandrapur and 184 kms
from Nagpur. It is at 40 kms distance from Gadchiroli and 25 Kms from Mul in
Chandrapur District. Bus services are available through out year from Nagpur,
Chandrapur and Gadchiroli to go to Chamorshi and then Markanda. Nearest railway station to the Gadchiroli / Markanda is Mul.
The bus routes to go to Markanda are as follows;
1) Chandrapur - Gondpipari - Ashti - Chamorshi - Markanda
2) Chandrapur - Gadchiroli - Chamorshi - Markanda
3) Nagpur - Gadchiroli - Chamorshi - Markanda
4) Chandrapr - Mul - Saoli - Markanda.

History of Markanda :-
It is the historical and tourist place in the Gadchiroli District and is famous for Markanda Temple. The population of Markanda is about 1000. The Markanda temple is contructed on the bank of Vainganga in the east side in 196 x 168 Sqft. area. Here, Vainganga turn to north, hence called ‘Uttarvahini’.  The places where the main rivers become ‘Uttarvahini’ are supposed to be auspicious places.  So this place is also pilgrimage place.  Earlier, there were 24 temples. At present, there are only 18 temples existing, out of them only 4 temples are in good condition. The main temple of Markanda was distracted by striking of Lightening 300 years before. Therefore, no one could tell how the main temple formerly was.

Indian Archaeological Department first time had recorded this 120 years before in its survey.  A great fair is held here on the occasion of Mahashivratri. Thousands of devotees gather at the place.

In tramlines of external part of the main temple there are many records of Gods,  Goddess and hermits i.e. Vyal, Ashtadikpal, Apsara, Sursundari and Devangana. The records of many birds, and ShivParvati are kept there in too. The courtyard of temple is world popular for lady images.  The ladies here are engrossed in the action of dance.  Every image of the God and Goddess here is ornate with various ornaments. The style of standing and gesture of the image is very becoming and attractive. The tri images here are matchless and of first grade at the base of every image there is its vehicle. Therefore it is easy to know of what God the image is? There are also many records in the internal part of the temple which witness the history. The experts say that the total images counted so far are said to be 409. They also compared this art to the art of Khajuraho.

Surrounding of the fortifications of the group temples there is temple of Dashavtar. There are 12 Pithas, there are shown extra 2 Pithas here. One of the experts of culture opinioned that these extra 2 Pithas influences the minds of the people more during this period and so more of the 2 Pithas might have been constructed. There are 12 Shivlingas in the temple and courtyard of the temple.

Rashtrakutas ruled during 8th Century in Vidharbha.  Rashtrakuta 3rd Govinda might have constructed the temples’ of Markanda. In all the groups of temples might be built during 8th and 9th  Century.

There are seen constructions of Gajlakshmi, Garud etc. on the sculptures of Markanda.  On the temple there are records of Gajlakshmi and Narsimha Avatar. There is a script on a column found along a street leading to Rekhegaon. This column might be of soldiers killed in war.  Markanda is middle place in India which is a place of matchless art and grandeur. It makes us to remind places of art like Khajuraho, Konark, Ajanta, Ellora.  We can not understand its matchless glory and art unless we see it.