Menal Shiva Temple Chittorgarh with Amazing Sculptures

A small detour from Chittorgarh to Bundi highway takes you to Menal Shiva Temple also known by its old name Mahanaleshvara Temple. It is popularly known as the mini-Khajuraho temple. Menal Temple is a 11th century wonder definitely worth a visit. The tour of the complex can a little more than half an hour, so definitely doable.

Entrance to Menal Shiva Temple

Entrance to Menal Shiva Temple

Menal Temple

Menal Temple History

This temple was built by the king then, Someshvar Chhahamana and his queen Suhavadevi of the Sakhambari dynasty during the 11th century A.D. The huge Shiva temple of stone is built in the ancient Hindu style with a carved pagoda and pillars. The pillars at the entrance of the temple have amazing sculptures.

Menal Shiva Temple Chittorgarh with Amazing Sculptures

Menal Shiva Temple Entrance

In front of the main temple of Mahanala is Nandi, the bull. The enclosure built isn’t sufficient to protect it and the statue is partially damaged. The place was favorite mountain retreat of King Prithviraj Chauhan, during the scorching Rajasthan summers.

Nandi Menal Temple

Nandi Menal Temple

Nandi partially damaged yet reverred

Nandi partially damaged yet revered

Menal Temple Exteriors

beehive shaped tower of Menal Shiva Temple

Beehive shaped tower of Menal Shiva Temple

The temples of North India are so different from the ones in South in their architectural styles. The Nagara style of North Indian temples is characterized by a beehive shaped tower called a shikhara made up of layer upon layer of architectural elements. The South Indian temples have a pyramid shaped tower, you can see one here.

Facade details

Sculpted images on facade

Sculpted images on facade

The main temple is preserved well, though the smaller ones around the main temple are crumbling down slowly. This one is credited to the King, while the one across the river is credited to the queen. The carved deities on the walls, images of Shiva and Parvati and other angelic forms have been repaired. Yet it seemed like they were fighting out the wear and tear of time’s deteriorating grip.

Location of Menal Temple Rajasthan

It was purely by chance that we visited the temple. We were on our road trip of Rajasthan in the month of September 2008; the Lonely Planet guide of Rajasthan had a mention of this Menal Temple. We were lucky to find the temple open, but there were hardly any tourists around. Menal Temple is at a distance of 90kms from Chittorgarh and 40kms from Bhilwara.

Best Time to Visit Menal Shiva Temple Chittorgarh

Best time to visit Menal Temple would be during Shivaratri festival when the place becomes very lively. It is in the month of February.

The temple is open from 7AM to 6PM everyday. however if you are visiting on festival and public holidays please do check the timings of the temple.

Hotels to Stay in Chittorgarh

Looking for best hotels in Chittorgarh near Menal Shiva Temple? Many options are available to book hotels near Menal Shiva Temple. Some famous hotels are Lake Nahargarh Palace, Fort Begu, Castle Bijaipur, CK Hotels and many more are available near Menal Shiva Temple.

All mentioned hotels are available on leading online travel website of Goibibo, Makemytrip, Tripadvisor, Expedia, Hotelsdotcom and many more. You can get the coupon code at CouponzGuru to avail the extra discount using coupon.

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(This post was first published on 16 March 2009.)

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