Rajasthan Villages - Eklingji

Incised out of sandstone and marble, Eklingji is a little village dotted with temples. Enclosed by high walls, it is a complex of 108 ancient temples. The exquisitely carved Eklingji was built to propagate the blessings of Lord Shiva, the supreme power and the guardian deity of Mewar.

This deity was regarded as the virtual ruler, by the Maharajas of Mewar who considered they to be regents (Dewans) under Eklingji. Temple services performed are elaborate in the Vedic and Tantric styles. Shivratri is an important religious event, when the image of the deity is decked with jeweler, attracting plenitude of visitors.

The temple occupies an area of about 2500 sq. feet and is about 65 feet in height. Dating back to the 15th century AD, the existing structure is built out of the ruins of a previously destroyed structure. This temple is said to have been founded by Acharya Viswaroopa a contemporary of Adi Sankaracharya and is linked with the Sharada Math at Dwaraka which was also founded by Adi Sankaracharya.

Another temple called Nathon Ka Mandir bears inscriptions dating back to the 10th century AD. The Sas-Bahu marble temple, dating back to the 11th century is a fine specimen of ancient art with sculptural details. The Adbhudji Jain temple is of black marble and it dates back to the 15th century AD.

A complex of 108 ancient temples, the exquisitely carved Eklingji temple is a complex with an ornate mandap or pillared hall, the canopy of a huge pyramidal roof composed of hundreds of knots. With lavishly carved pillars and a flight of steps leading to the kund, they are a fine specimen of ancient art with speak of the rich sculptural legacy of Eklingji.

Eklingji Temple
Eklingji is a complex of 108 ancient temples, incised out of sandstone and marble. The Eklingji temple was built in AD 734, to propagate the blessings of Lord Shiva. Exquisitely carved and dedicated to Lord Shiva, the guardian deity of Mewar, it is a complex with a flight of steps, leading to the kund. It has an ornate mandap or pillared hall, the canopy of a huge pyramidal roof composed of hundreds of knots. Occupying an area of about 2500 sq. feet, the temple is about 65 feet in height and is fortified with a strong wall running around it. The main entrance to the temple on the western side welcomes visitors into a big hall resting on lavishly carved pillars. In this hall, is a silver image of Nandi. There are two more Nandis in the temple, one made of black stone and the other of brass. Dating back to the 15th century AD, the existing structure is built out of the ruins of a previously destroyed structure. The sanctum sanctorum has a four-faced image of Shiva, representing Brahma facing west, Vishnu facing North, Maheshwar facing south and Surya (Sun) facing the East. The flat top of the composite idol is covered with a Yantra, a mystic symbolic drawing, standing for the ultimate reality. Founded by Acharya Viswaroopa a contemporary of Adi Sankaracharya, temple services are performed in a very elaborate manner in the Vedic and Tantric styles - everyday beginning at 4 in the morning.

Sas-Bahu Temple
There are about 70 temples in all. Among them the Sas-Bahu marble temple, dating back to the 11th century deserves a special mention. It is a fine specimen of ancient art with sculptural details.

Town is situated in a beautiful valley about twelve miles to the North and 22 km from Udaipur in Rajasthan.