AN ANCIENT Shiva temple in Sahaspur village, around 35 km from Bemetara, stands as a remarkable confluence of faith, history and architectural heritage. Located near the Bajrangbali temple, the east-facing shrine is an important example of the Nagara style of temple architecture. The temple’s most intriguing feature is its Shiva lingam, which, according to priest Pandit Prakash Narayan Sharma, changes colour naturally every four months. The phenomenon draws devotees from far and wide, who visit the shrine to witness what they regard as a divine manifestation. The temple comes alive during Mahashivratri and the month of Sawan, when grand fairs are organised. Thousands of Kanwariyas and Shiva devotees converge here to offer water and prayers. According to an information panel installed by the Culture and Archaeology Department of Chhattisgarh, the temple comprises a sanctum sanctorum, an antechamber and a mandapa.

 

Its shikhara, crowned with an amalaka and finial, is characteristic of the Nagara style. The mandapa rests on 16 pillars, each bearing intricate serpent motifs. The entrance lintel features a fourarmed Shiva, flanked by Brahma and Vishnu. The Navagrahas are depicted below in reverse order. Inside the sanctum, the Shiva lingam is installed on a yoni pedestal. The temple’s outer walls are adorned with sculptures of Nataraja Shiva, Surya and four-armed Nritya Ganesha, reflecting the artistic sophistication of its period. The Archaeology Department estimates that the temple was built during the reign of the PhaniNaga dynasty rulers of Kawardha in the 13th-14th centuries. The shrine is currently in good condition and is protected by the Archaeology Department. With its centuries-old architecture and enduring religious traditions, the Sahaspur temple remains a significant heritage site and a living centre of devotion in the region.