Category:Chaumukhnath Mahadeva temple, Nachna

Chaumukhnath Mahadeva temple, Nachna 

A 9th century Shiva temple with more ancient artwork
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Instance of	Hindu temple
Location	Panna district, Sagar division, Madhya Pradesh, India
Heritage designation	Monument of National Importance
24° 23′ 57.28″ N, 80° 26′ 50.28″ E
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The Mahadeva temple of Nachna, sometimes referred to as the Chaumukhnath temple or Chaturmukha Mahadeva mandir, is an east facing Shiva temple at the same site as the Parvati temple of Nachna. The Mahadeva temple combines many layers of construction. The present temple is one reconstructed in 1918 from (a) ruins of the 9th-century Mahadeva temple, (b) sections and parts of the 5th-century Parvati temple, (c) some sections of a 6th-century Mahadeva temple that likely was rebuilt in the 9th-century, and (d) some ruins discovered of lost or destroyed Hindu temples at other Nachna sites. Some of this history is apparent as Hindu artwork panels from different centuries are preserved on a wall or near a structural element. The overall style and plan of the present temple reflects the 9th-century Pratihara period.

The Mahadeva temple stands on a jagati (platform). It has a mandapa, an antarala, and a garbhagriha. The jangha section of the temple is triratha, while the shikhara above that is pancharatha. The doorways, small trellises (jali windows), several panels of amorous couples are from c. 500–520 – some from the ruins of the Parvati temple nearby, and other from lost Hindu temples of Nachna. These include elegantly finished and some crudely sculpted artwork from possibly a gate, monastery or structure from Nachna area. Except for Agni and Kubera, all artwork in the karna niches are missing. The Naga panel found in this temple is from the Parvati temple ruins.

The temple is named after the four-faced linga in the sanctum. The Tatpurusha aspect of Shiva is on the east face, the open mouth fierce aspect Aghora on south, Sadyojata on west and Vamadeva aspect faces the north.