Karneshwar Mahadev Temple complex is situated on the western bank of Mahanadi at Sihawa in Dhamtari district. This is the area where the Mahanadi River originates and various streams join together to form a major river of Central India. The Sihawa site is near the confluence of two of these streams. The complex is a collection of five temples dating back to the 12th century. The credit for this goes to King Karna Dev, the Somvanshi ruler of Kanker state. The Karnesvara temple complex has a square plan with shikharas in the Phamasana and Nagara styles. They reflect the simple form of Dakshina Kosala temple architecture, yet are a blend of ideas from Telugu and Oriya culture.

The artworks here are simpler and much more subdued than those in other parts of Chhattisgarh, possibly due to the selection of stone used to build these temples.

The main temple in this complex is dedicated to Shiva, while other temples are dedicated to Vishnu and Goddess (Durga) traditions. The artwork here includes Hindu river goddesses, Ramayana and Mahabharata themes. Karneshwar Temple is an active Hindu temple, which attracts Ram Leela, Krishna Leela and other festivals.

Historical importance of Sihawa Karneshwar Dham

Sihawa area of ​​Dhamtari has been an area dominated by sages and their penance since ancient times. It is believed that in ancient times this was the holy place of sage Shringi, Brahmarishi Lomas, Agastya, Cancer, Sarbhang, Muchkund and Angira. Being the center of meditation of sages, there is also a belief of the arrival of gods in the area. The belief of Karneshwar Dham located in Deurpara is also included in these beliefs. Here the Somvanshi kings had built the temples of Lord Shiva and Ram Janaki. Whose fame has spread far and wide. Every year a fair is organized here on Maghi Purnima. A large number of devotees come here from far away places to take a dip of faith.

Karneshwar Dham is situated near Maharishi Shringi Ashram. The inscription of Somavanshi kings is still present in the temple. The inscription is in Devanagari script of Sanskrit language. There is a rectangular inscription inside of sixteen lines. Which was engraved in Shak Samvat 1114 during the reign of Somvanshi king Karnaraj of Kanker. The inscription shows that Maharaja Karnaraja had built six temples at Karneshwar Devhad to immortalize the fame of his dynasty. The first temple was built in the name of his childless brother Krishnaraj, and the second temple was built in the name of Priya Padi Bhopaladevi.

Specialty of the temple: Worshiping Lord Shiva and consecrating him. Apart from Shiva, the temples of Maryada Purushottam Ram and Janaki are prominent among the temples built by Karnaraja. Lord Shiva is enshrined in a twenty square feet rectangular sanctum sanctorum. The top part of the sanctum sanctorum contains a Kalash. The façade of the temple is built in the pavilion style, whose roof rests on eight angular stone pillars. The entire part of the temple is made of stone.

Story: It is said that the ancestors of Somvanshi kings of Kanker were natives of Jagannathpuri Odisha. Somavanshi kings first established their capital in Pahal Nagari. There is also an ancient Amritkund in Karneshwar Dham. There is a legend that by bathing in the water of this pond, incurable diseases like leprosy could be cured. Somvanshi kings filled it with soil. The small lake adjacent to Amritkund is known to the two daughters of the king named Sonai-Rupai. On the occasion of Magh Purnima, devotees, after bathing and worshiping, visit Amritkund and take its water with them.

Organization of a huge fair in Sihawa: On the occasion of Maghi Purnima, the fair starts with the royal bath at Karneshwar Dham located in Sihawa which continues for 4 days. On Maghapurnima, thousands of devotees take a dip of faith in the confluence of Balaka and Mahanadi. This huge fair is organized on the occasion of Maghi Purnima fair. Saints and devotees from far away places come to the biggest fair of this region. Swings and various types of stalls are decorated for entertainment. Karneshwar Dham is decorated with attractive lights for the fair. People from more than 50 villages of the urban Sihawa area participate in this fair.