Gandai shiv Mandir/Deour Shiv Mandir Gandai, Chhattisgarh

Excavations of mounds after 1965 and the accidental discoveries of ruins by farmers have revealed a number of sites. One major Shiva temple’s sanctum and spire in Gandai has survived. It is called the Deour Shiv Mandir, a temple restored and managed by Archaeological Society of India, Raipur circle.

The temple constructed by the kalchuri’s can be dated to 11th century AD.
This east facing edifice built of sand stone is popularly known as ‘deor’ temple dedicated to lord shiva. The temple is surviving with a garbha griha having its tall curvilinear Shikhar. The square sanctum houses a shivling.
Seated nandi is placed on the eastern side of the temple.
The temple is saptrath on plan. The highly ornate door entrance is guarded by shaiv dwarpalas accompanied by attendants. Depiction of Ganesh at the lalatbimba and five pandava brothers along with droupadi on the door lintel makes the entrance more unique. The paad portion of the temples has six different bands depicting Lata, pushpa, gaja, ashwa, and nar panes separately. The jangha has two segments adorned with images of eight armed shiva, mahisasur mardini, bhairava, Ganesha, kaliyamaradana Krishna, venu gopala and scenes from ramayana etc.