Category:Mahadev temple and Bairagi Matha, Narayanpur

Mahadev temple and Bairagi Matha, Narayanpur 

An 11th century temple and monastery near Mahanadi river
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Instance of	Hindu temple
Location	Baloda Bazar district, Raipur division, Chhattisgarh, India
21° 34′ 33.97″ N, 82° 22′ 13.61″ E
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The Mahadev temple and Bairagi matha (monastery) of Narayanpur is an 11th-century Hindu complex located on the eastern bank of the Mahanadi river in Balodabazar–Bhatapara district of Chhattisgarh. The site was much bigger in historic times, of which two temples and a mandapa survive.

The main temple faces west and is now dedicated to Shiva. It has a pillared mandapa in front, has pancharatha plan and a Nagara-style shikhara that towers to about 50 feet. Outside the vimana are bands of beautiful Hindu artwork, that includes Vishnu Dasavatara, other Hindu gods and goddesses, as well as secular scenes of artha, kama and dharma. The pillared mandapa too has maithuna, cultural scenes and other Hindu artwork. These are from the 11th-century.

The complex has remains of what once was a Vaishnava Bairagi matha (Vishnu tradition monastery). Narayanpur was a large educational and religious center as evidenced by this temple and monastery complex, as well as those for Surya, Shiva and Devi. The historic site was connected to Sirpur, Rajim and other Hindu pilgrimage sites by the Mahanadi river.

This site should not be confused with historic temples in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh, or numerous other Hindu heritage sites in towns or villages in India with a similar name.