Sri Ahilyeshwar Temple – Maheshwar

Sri Ahilyeshwar Temple is situated at Maheshwar is situated in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh,a temple town on the bank of Narmada River.The word Maheshwar in Hindi means Great God, an epithet of Lord Shiva.

This Shiva Temple is situated inside the Holkar Fort.This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva built in Nagar Style. This temple is testimony to the architectural skills of the Maratha workmen who constructed this temple on the bank of Narmada River. It took 34 years to build this temple and at a cost of 1.5 crore Indian rupees. at that time it was huge cost. This temple is visible from long distance due to it’s strategic location.

Built by Krishna Bai, Ahilya Bai’s daughter it is called the chhatri or cenotaph of Ahilya Bai.
It was built somewhere in 1666. The temple complex also has a Lord Ram Temple.

It has mythological and historical importance as it is believed that King Sahasrarjun who was a husband of 500 wives had stopped Narmada River with his 1000 arms and made a play area for his wives. During this period, the Shivalinga was made by Ravana on the riverside. When he released the river water, the Shivlinga was washed away and that ensued in war between both of them. But when king got the victory, he kept ten lamps on the heads of Ravana and one on his hand. Devotees can see 11 lamps in the Sahasrarjun Temple to keep the event lively.

Of note, even to this day, the Sahasrarjun temple at Maheshwar lights 11 lamps in honour of Lord Agni blessing the Kingdom. Alternatively, this tradition is attributed to Sahasrarjun queens humiliating captive ten-headed Ravana by lighting up candles on his foreheads.

Eventhough this temple is dedicated lord Shiva, Pillars have statues of Dashavatar of Vishnu starting Matya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Budha and Kalki Avatara’s.