Eklingji is located about twelve miles
to the North of Udaipur in Rajasthan. Eklingji (Shiva)
whose temple is located here, is said to be the guardian
deity of Mewar.
This deity was regarded as the virtual ruler, by the
Maharajas of Mewar - who considered themselves to be
regents (Dewans) under Eklingji. Ekligji (Kailashpuri)
is a town situated in a beautiful valley and it attracts
multitudes of visitors throughout the year.
The existing structure, is one built out of the ruins
of a previously destroyed structure and it dates back
to the 15th century CE. The architecture resembles that
of the Jain temples of Gujarat Shiva is worshipped here
as a four faced black marble image, the four faces representing
Bhrama 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.
Shiva here is worshipped as the Ultimate Reality, the
supreme power, and the wholesome one - Parabhrama.
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 founded again
by Adi Sankaracharya.
The temple occupies an area of about 2500 sq. feet
and is about 65 feet in height. The temple area is fortified
and a strong wall runs around it. The main entrance
to the temple on the Western side welcomes visitors
into a big hall resting on profusely 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.
Other deities housed in the temple complex include
Parvati, Ganesh, Ganga, Kartikeya , Yamuna and Saraswathi.
There are also small temples dedicated to Ambamata,
Kalka Mata and Ganesh in the temple complex. There is
another temple called Nathon Ka Mandir in the temple
complex with inscriptions dating back to the 10th century
CE. No worship is offered here.
There are two tanks situated on the Northern side of
the temple - Karz Kund and Tulsi Kund. Water from these
tanks is utilized for temple services. Temple services
are performed in a very elaborate manner in the Vedic
and Tantric styles - everyday beginninG at 4 in the
morning. Shivratri is an important religious event,
when the image of the deity is decked with jewellery.
The town of Eklingji is full of temples. There are
about 70 temples in all.Mention must be made of the
Sas-Bahu marble temple, dating back to the 11th century.
It 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 CE. Other temples
in Kailashpuri include those of Pataleshwar Mahadeo,
Arbada Mata, Rathasan Devi, Vindhyavasini Devi.
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