Eklingji Temple

One of the most famous temples of Rajasthan, Eklingji Temple complex is located the town of Eklingji (Kailashpuri), 22 km north of Udaipur, on the national highway No. 8. The town Eklingji got its name from these temples. Eklingji Temple is situated at a distance of 24 km to the north of Udaipur.

Eklingji is a temple complex made of 108 temples. Renowned for its simply magnificent architecture, the first of which was built in 734 A.D by Bappa Rawal, who ruled the Mewar kingdom. The temple has been the ruling deity of Mewar rulers. Later, the temple was rebuilt by various Kings and the present form is attributed to Maharana Raimal (15th century).

Devoted to Lord Shiva, Eklingji is said to have been founded by Acharya Viswaroopa, one of the contemporaries of Adi Sankaracharya. The temple is also closely connected to the Sharada Math at Dwaraka, founded by Adi Sankaracharya.

Spread over an area of about 2,500 square feet, the temple complex is surrounded by strong high walls with bathing terraces leading to the 'kund' enclose the temple. The main temple is a double storied structure with pyramidal style of roof and distinctly carved tower housing small and big shrines. The temple is about 65 ft. tall. The entrance from the western side of the temple leads to a huge ornate pillared hall with the canopy of a huge pyramidical roof with hundreds of knots. This hall has intricately carved pillars which is adorned by a silver idol of Nandi. Besides this, the temple complex also houses two other images of Nandi, one is made out of black stone and the other made out in brass.

The sanctum sanctorum of the Eklingji Temple has the idol of main deity Eklingji, represented by a bust with four faces. Made out of black marble, it has four faces representing four forms of Lord Shiva carved on four directions. The east-facing part is recognized as Surya, the west-facing part is Lord Brahma, the north-facing part is Lord Vishnu and the south-facing part is Rudra. The top of this idol is covered by a mystic symbolic drawing. The Shivlinga garlanded by a silver snake is encircled by idols of Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikay.

Statues of Yamuna and Saraswati are also housed in the temple. Silver doors having images of Lord Shiva and Lord Kartikeya are the other highlights of the temple. The temples of Amba Mata, Ganeshji and Kalika are housed in the temple complex.

Number of carvings from the Kama Sutra and a life size image of Bapparawal also adorn this temple. The interior of the temple is adorned with a pillared hall and a huge pyramidal roof that is composed of hundreds of knots, carved and decorated with coloured stones.

On the western side lies the main entrance of the temple that has a big hall resting on carved pillars. The temple complex also houses the Nathon ka Mandir which has inscriptions dating back to the 10th century. Two tanks named Karz Kund and Tulsi Kund are situated on the northern side of the temple and the water from these tanks are utilized for temple purposes.

The most important festival celebrated here is Eklingji Patotsav an important ceremony held in Chaitra month is observed here with full gusto and fervor.

Timings: 4-6.30 am, 10.30 am-1.30 pm and 5.30-8 pm