The Danteswari Maa Mandir of Dantewada is located at the confluence (sangam) of Shankhani and Dankhani rivers in Dantewada district, historically called the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. This region is mentioned in ancient Hindu epics, but little documentation exists of its political history prior to 11th century CE.
<p>The Danteshwari temple is Shaktism-tradition pilgrimage site. It faces east, includes a Mukhamandapa, Muktimandapa, Antarala, Garbhagriya (sanctum) and a 32-pillared Natamandapa (dance theatre). At the entrance is a Garuda stambha of Vaishnavism-tradition, while shrines with Shiva linga are found here. These attest to the regional legends that this was a much larger Shakti-Vishnu-Shiva Hindu pilgrimage site many centuries ago.
</p><p>This complex is one of fifty two Shakti pithas in India, a major regional pilgrimage site in south Chhattisgarh, and a large complex that preserves Hindu artwork and temple ruins of south Chhattisgarh from the 11th to 13th century CE. It is an ASI-protected national monument.
</p><p><i>Dant</i> means "teeth", and it is believed that the teeth of Shiva's first wife Sati fell here as Shiva carried the corpse of his wife in deep sorrow. Thus, the name "Danteshwari" (Goddess' teeth) and its dedication to the Hindu goddess tradition. 
</p><p>The temple complex includes pilgrim facilities, park, mandapas, pillared structure of a pre-13th century era, smaller historic shrines with square plan and phamsana sikhara, and a restored temple for the goddess. 
</p><p>The historic structures found here include pre-14th century pillars, small stone temples with square plan and pyramidal phamsana sikhara. A section is dedicated to yajna mandapa. Much of the floor and roof is modern era structure. 
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The temple complex integrates a museum of recovered and damaged statues, inscription stones and other artwork. These are from destroyed temples and dated to between 11th and 13th century. They were found in the fields of Bastar-Dantewada region, recovered and kept here. The collection includes the notable Ganesha statues, Nataraja, Kartikeya, two statues of Vishnu, a Garuda pillar, Krishna-Radha statue, and one of Durga Mahisasuramardini. Several historic lion statues (vahana of Durga) are also notable. The inscription stones found are in Telugu and Devanagari scripts, and these mention "saka dates" that equate to early 13th century. They mention gifts given here to a pre-existing temples complex.
<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ms_Sarah_Welch" title="User:Ms Sarah Welch">Ms Sarah Welch</a>
2022-01-11 14:36:01
<span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>