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Laxmaneshwar Temple at Kharod in Chhattisgarh – Laxmeshwar Shiva Mandir


Laxmaneshwar Temple at Kharod in Chhattisgarh is dedicated to Lord and was built during the Ramayana period. This popular religious place and pilgrimage town is located in Janjgir Champa District and is 120 km from the state capital, Raipur. Kharod is known as Kashi of Chhattisgarh as the place is Moksha Dayini – that which helps in attaining liberation from the cycle of births.  Laxmeshwar Shiva Mandir attracts thousands of devotees that the numbers swell during Shivratri and in Shravan month.

As per one belief, the Shivling worshipped in Laxmaneshwar Temple was installed by Bhagavan Sri Ram on the request of his brother Laxman.


A unique Shivling named Lakshya Shivling believed to have installed by Laxman is also found in the temple. This Shivling is also known as Lakheshwar Mahadev. One hundred thousand (1 lakh) Shivling is engraved in this. It is also believed that the Shivling also leads the Patalpuri – the netherworld.

The water poured on the Shivling never overflows. There is constant presence of water around the Shivling and the water never dries up.

Story of Laxmaneshwar Temple

Legend has it that once Laxman fell sick when he was performing penance for killing people in the Ramayana war. He offered prayers to Shiva to find relief from sickness. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva appeared before him in the form of Lakshling. Laxman offer prayers to the Shivling and he was miraculously cured. From that day the Shivling came to be known as Lakshmaneshwar Shivling.

Another story

The laterite Shivling inside the sanctum is said to have 1.25 lakh (125000) holes. It is assumed that when Laxman was returning to Ayodhya, after destroying Lanka, he got a leprosy attack and feel down here. Then he made 1.25 Shivlings and worshipped Shiva. Shiva got appeased with his worship and cured him. Since then it is said that if you offer 1.25 lakh rice-grains then all your wishes will come true. As per an another tradition how much ever water you pour into this lingam, the water level will remain constant and water will not spill out.

The present temple was built during the 6th century AD. The murti worshipped in the temple sits in the east facing west. There is strong wall around the temple and the dimension of the main temple is 110 feet X 87 feet. The round-shaped sanctum sanctorum is 87 feet in height and 30 feet in diameter.
On entering the temple, there is a Sabha Mandap and one can see here the important activities and contributions of kings of earlier era engraved on stone walls.. 44 sholkas in Sanskrit is etched on stone here.

The life history of the kings of Ratnapur is understood from the writing of the stone slabs. King Khaadgdev of Ratnapur renovated the temple.

The temple is rich in sculptures important among them are Ravana trying to lift Kailash, Ardanarishwar form of Shiva, Ram-Sugriva meeting, killing of Bali in Ramayana, Shiva Tandav, sculptures of men and women, a husband and wife standing with their child, a fierce looking person who is allowed to punish people and that of Jaya and Vijaya (the guards of Vaikunta).

A temple dedicated to Ram Bakth Shabari (Shavari Temple) and Andaldeo is located nearby.