Bhopal, August 27: The construction of the grand Panchayatan Temple at the sacred site of Ekta Dham in Omkareshwar has officially commenced with the worship of 45 sacred stones. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav initiated the temple’s construction in the esteemed presence of representatives from India’s divine ascetic tradition, revered saints from the Shaddarshan sect, and distinguished guests.
Chief Minister Yadav stated, “Today, the worship ceremony for the Panchayatan Temple stones was successfully held at Omkareshwar Dham. This is the holy land where Lord Shankaracharya Maharaj embraced discipleship and vowed to promote eternal consciousness and culture. The foundation stone laying of the magnificent Panchayatan Temple at Ekta Dham is a matter of great fortune and pride for us.” He further mentioned that numerous development projects, including the construction of ghats alongside the Panchayatan Temple, will be completed before the Simhastha festival. The Madhya Pradesh government is fully committed to developing the state’s religious and spiritual sites and connecting them with world-class facilities.
According to religious beliefs, Jagatguru Shri Adi Shankaracharya revived the ‘Panchayatan Puja’ to establish harmony among various worship practices. This temple, based on the ancient Panchayatan style, will feature a central shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, with subsidiary shrines at each corner. The northeast corner will house Lord Vishnu, the southeast corner will feature Lord Surya, the southwest corner will be dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and the northwest corner will be reserved for Goddess Shakti. The main shrine’s pinnacle will be designed in the Somatilak style.
The temple’s sanctum will be constructed in the Sarvato Bhadra style, featuring entrances from all four directions. The complex will include 100 intricately carved pillars and 8 small ‘Samarn’ (sub-shrines). The grand torana gateway will enhance the architectural beauty of the temple. The main hall of the Panchayatan Temple will boast a massive artistic dome with a diameter of 26 feet, serving as the temple’s main attraction.
This entire temple will rest on a foundational platform, or ‘Jagati,’ that stands 16 feet high. Its external vertical architectural design (Mandovar) will be adorned with a sequential arrangement of Bhadra, Karna, Pratiratha, Devakostha, and embellished panels. The entire temple will be embellished with 121 kalash (pots), utilizing 80,000 cubic feet of intricately carved pink sandstone for its construction.
The Panchayatan Temple not only serves as a center of religious faith but also exemplifies the revival of ancient Indian architecture and sculpture. It is being constructed in the traditional Nagara style, which will be a living symbol of Indian architectural art and cultural dignity.
Leave a Comment