Bileshwar Mahadev Temple

Bileshwar Mahadev Temple

A Mahadev Shrine whose first Pujari was Sri Krishna

Bileshwar Mahadev Temple, Porbandar, Gujarat

A Section of Shri Bilnath Mahadev Temple 

Bileshwar Temple/Shri Bilnath Mahadev Temple is located in a small village called Bhilleshwar in Porbandar district in Gujarat, India. Bhilleshwar  is situated on the banks of Bhilleshwari river. This river is now called Bhil/Bil Ganga. It rises in Barda Hills and flows past the village to join Minsar River.

Shri Bilnath Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the oldest temple of Lord Shiva in the region. As per mythology the first puja was done by Sri Krishna. The lingam inside the Sanctum Sanctorum is known as Shayambhu,  which means It came into existence automatically and it appears to be a natural stone..

 This ancient temple is in excellent condition because it is maintained by the Rabaris and Charans of  nearby states and villages. They are tribal clans of Gujarat and are mainly pastoralists. They are also ardent devotees of Shiva. Porbandar State (a princely state ruled by the Jethwa dynasty) and Navanagar state  ( a princely state ruled by the Jadeja dynasty) have endowed this shrine with land.

Origin

The Entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum

The origin of Bileshwar  Mahadev was due to Lord Krishna. Satyabhama, one of Lord Krishna’s wives asked Him to bring parijaat tree (sacred Baobab ) which only grows in Lord Indra’s  garden. Krishna first sent Narad Muni to get the tree but when the king of Gods, Lord Indra refused to part with it, Krishna went to the garden and got the tree. A fight ensued between Lord Krishna and Lord Indra. The war stopped at sunset and both the commanders rested on Pariyatra mountain which is now known as Barda Hills. In the morning Sri Krishna offered prayers to Goddess Ganga .The Goddess pleased at His devotion came out of a cave in the form of water which formed a lake. Sri Krishna named the lake Bil Ganga. Subsequently, Krishna offered prayers to Lord Shiva. Shiva too was pleased at His ardent prayers and appeared before Him. He also promised to fulfill His desires. It is said that Mahadev presented the Sudarshan Chakra (the divine weapon of Lord Vishnu) to  Lord Krishna here. Sri Krishna then installed Shiva at the very spot and named the shrine Bilvadakeshvar which is now known as Bileshwar.

Bil Ganga

Steps Leading to Bil Ganga

Another legend says Lord Krishna prayed to Lord Shiva (Mahadev) for a son at this temple with Bilva  (stone apple) leaves because Lord Shiva is easily pleased with Bilva leaves. That’s how the temple /village came to be known as Bileshwar.

Three fairs are held here every year :two during the holy month of Shravan (July-August) and the third on Mahashivratri day.

Structure

The Pyramidal Spire of the Temple

It is an example of Gujarati architectural style. This west –facing temple is the largest from Maitraka period (approximately 475-776 A.D.) in Saurashtra. More than  one hundred temples of this period have come to light. Almost all of them are located in the coastal belt of western Saurashtra  region, except the one at Kalsar and a few temples in the Barda Hill region. The Maitraka kings were followers of Shiva and except Dharapatta (the fifth king of this dynasty), all practised Shaivism. This is manifested in the use of Shiva’s symbols such as Nandi ( Bull) and Trishul ( Trident) in their coins and inscriptions. Hence, it is no surprise that temples dedicated to Lord Shiva were built during this period. Bileshwar temple is one of them.        

The Temple's Pyramidal Spire contrasts with Domes and Arches of Subsidiary Buildings  

It was built in the 7^th century. The structure of the temple is pyramidal. It is built on a high platform with an extended ambulatory instead of a mandap ( temple porch).  Inside the temple, the Shivlinga is accompanied by the idols of Devi Ganga and Devi Parvati.

The Temple on a High Platform 

The Temple and its Subsidiary Structures 

Flight of Steps Leading to the Platform

Uniqueness

In Lord Shiva’s temples, His celestial vehicle, Nandi (Bull) always faces the Shivlinga inside the temple. But in Bileshwar Mahadev Temple, Nandi is in the temple’s courtyard .  According to legends, when the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb’s army had captured the village and had come to demolish the temple, Nandi came outside and stopped them. It is said that as the  Mughal army attempted  to break the linga, the linga burst, emitting hundreds of wasps .The enemy soldiers were bitten mercilessly. Many of them were killed and the rest fled. From then onwards, to prevent further aggression, Nandi stays outside as a tutelary power guarding the temple.

Nandi ,The Celestial Vehicle Of Lord Shiva

This temple is a protected place under the Gujarat Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1965 (Gujarat act no: 25 1965).

Reaching Bileshwar Mahadev Temple

It is 27 kms from the coastal city of Porbandar. Porbandar is connected to the major cities of Gujarat and India by rail, road and air transport.

 

Tags: Bileshwar Mahadev Temple,Porbandar, Gujarat, Bil Ganga, Parijaat

Photographs: Bulbul Sur.