Dakshini Mahadeva temple at Nirmand is located around 19 kms from Rampur in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Set on stone platform, Dakshin Mahadev temple is near to the famous Ambika Devi temple, at the bottom of a long flight of steps. It is most notable for its ‘exquisite doorframe… an outstanding example of classical diction.
The temple derives its name from the belief that the Shivling enshrined in temple is from South India. The devata has five mohras. The belief is that the Shivling was brought from Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu.
The beautifully carved doorway has numerous sculptures interesting among them are a lady looking into a mirror, a musician surrounded by his instruments, such as drums, flutes and conch shells.
The 12 wooden pillars of the temple are decorated with varied motifs and the overall style shows the same Kashmiri influence visible in early temples of Chamba.
The wood and stone structure – an architectural feature known as kathkuni – resembles a house more than a temple, though it is probably one of the oldest pagoda shrines in Himachal Pradesh. The temple is almost contemporary with the wooden temple of Lakshana Devi in Bharmour.
The remarkable fact of the preservation of the temple is somewhat diluted by its dilapidated exterior state, though the roof has been repaired and covered with corrugated iron.