Mahamaya Mandir Ratanpur, Chhattisgarh

Mahamaya Temple is a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, Mahalakshmi, located in Ratanpur, Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh, India and is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas spread across India, temples of the divine feminine power. Ratanpur is a small town, Which is full of temples and ponds, located about 25 km from Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh. Goddess Mahamaya also known as Kosaleshwari is the presiding deity of the old South Kosala region (present Chhattisgarh state).

History

This temple is dedicated to Goddess Mahamaya, built in the 12-13th century. It was built during the Kalachuri reign of Ratnapur. It is said to be located at the place where King Ratnadeva had a vision of Goddess Kali.

Originally the temple was for three goddesses namely Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Later, Mahakali left the old temple. And then later a new (present) temple was built by King Bahar Sai which was for Goddess Mahalakshmi and Goddess Mahasaraswati. This temple was built in Vikram Samvat 1552 (1492 AD). There are ponds near the temple. There are also temples of Shiva and Hanuman ji within the complex. Traditionally Mahamaya is the Kuldevi of Ratanpur state. The temple has been renovated by the Department of Architecture. Mahamaya Temple is located in Ratanpur, 25 km from the district headquarters Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

Architecture

The Mahamaya Temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture facing north next to a huge water tank. One can see scores of subsidiary temples, domes, palaces and forts that once housed the temple and the royal household of the Ratnapur kingdom.

Within the complex, there is also the temple of Kantideval, which is the oldest of the group and is said to have been built in 1039 by an ascetic named Santosh Giri, and later expanded by the Kalachuri king Prithvideva II in the 15th century. It has four gateways and they have beautiful carvings. It has also been restored by the Archaeological Survey of India. The sanctum sanctorum and mandapa are fortified with an attractive courtyard, which was built in the Maratha period in the late 18th century.

A few kilometres away lie the remains of the ancient 11th century Kadaidol Shiva temple, situated on a hilltop overlooking the ruined fort, Which was built by the Kalchuri rulers, who were followers of Shiva and Shakti. The renovation of this temple is also being planned by the Archaeological Department.

People throng the temple during the Navaratri festival when Jyotikalasha is lit to please the Goddess.

The patron deity of the temple is Kalabhairava, whose temple is located on the highway on the way to the temple. It is a popular belief that pilgrims visiting the Mahamaya temple also need to visit the temple of Kalabhairava to complete their pilgrimage.