Danteshwari Temple is a temple dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari and is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, shrines of Shakti, the divine feminine, spread across India. The temple built in the 14th century by the Chalukyas of the South is situated in Dantewada, a town situated 80 km from Jagdalpur District, Chattisgarh. Dantewada is named after the Goddess Danteshwari, the presiding deity of the earlier Kakatiya rulers. Traditionally she is the Kuldevi (family goddess) of Bastar state,
The temple is as according to legends, the spot where the Daanth or Tooth of Sati fell, during the episode when all the Shakti shrines were created in the Satya Yuga.
The idol of Danteshwari Mai is chiseled out of black stone. The temple is divided into four parts such as Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap. Garbha Griha and Maha Mandap were constructed with stone pieces. There is a Garuda Pillar in front of the entrance of the temple. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls. The shikhara is adorned with sculptural finery.
Every year during Dusshera thousands of tribals from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to the goddess, when her idol was taken out of that ancient Danteshwari temple and then taken around the city in an elaborate procession, now a popular tourist attraction part of the ‘Bastar Dussehra’ festival.
Danteshwari Devi Temple Timings:
Opening Hours to Visit 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Darshan Timings: 5:30 AM to 6:45 PM
Note: Timings May Vary without notice on Special Days, & on Festival Days.
Danteshwari Temple Pooja Timings:
Morning Pooja:5:00 AM
Noon Pooja:12:00 Noon
Evening Pooja:7:00 PM
Danteshwari Devi Temple History:
The kings of the Chalukya dynasty made Barsur their capital and ruled this region; in time, they transferred their throne to Dantewada. Along with the Chalukya kings, their ancestral deity of Warangal also came to settle in a temple-like Danteshwari near the confluence of the Dankini and Shankini rivers and therefore this place is called Dantewada.
It is believed that Danteshwari of the Chalukya kings is the changed Manikeshwari name of the kings of the Naga dynasty, who ruled this region before the Chalukyas. The Chalukya kings had the temple built in the 14th century.
This six hundred-year-old temple is one of the ancient heritage sites of India and is a representation of the religious socio-cultural history of the Bastar region.
Places Near Danteshwari Devi Temple:
Anthropology Museum, Moti Talab Para, The Kanger Valley National Park and also The Bastar Palace.
How to Reach Danteshwari Temple:
By Air:
Raipur and Vishakapattanam are the nearest Airports, which are located almost equidistant by road from Dantewada at 400 KMs. Jagdalpur located at a distance of 80 km is the nearest mini Airport with limited flight services
By Train:
Dantewada Devi Temple is connected with two daily trains from Vishakapattanam Railway Station.
By Road:
Dantewada Devi Temple is well connected with all major towns of Chhattisgarh Raipur to Dantewada is 400 KMs, and takes 8 hours on public transport and 6 to 7 by own vehicle, condition of the road is very good.
Danteshwari Devi Temple Address:
Danteshwari Temple,
Packed,
Jagdalpur,
Chhattisgarh 491228.