Akhileshwar Dham Temple is on top of big rock in Lohardaga

Akhileshwar Dham Temple was built between the 10th and 12th centuries. Built in the local style, this temple is carved on a rock formation of about 40 feet height.

Introduction of Akhileshwar Dham temple

The Akhileshwar Dham temple located in kaspur village of Bhandra Block at a distance of about 21 km from Lohardagga district of Jharkhand state is situated on a big and high rock. Where a lot of development work can be seen in the surrounding area.

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is also a small temple of Mother Parvati. The total area of ​​this temple is spread over about 200 acres of land. Which includes mountains, high rocks, rest house, ponds etc.

There is a pond adjacent to the temple where devotees take bath and go to the temple to worship. Hundreds of devotees come to this temple daily to worship. The main feature here is that whatever devotees ask for their wishes in this Akhileshwar Dham temple, their wishes are fulfilled soon.

It is said that his wish is fulfilled first. The wish of the one who holds the Shivling of this temple with both his hands is fulfilled soon. At the main entrance of this temple, houses have been constructed by the local government for small shops in a row.

The bid for which was placed in 2023. Here the local people are running many small shops for their livelihood. This is the source of their household ration. It is said that whenever any devotee visits this temple once, a change is seen in his mood.

Other Information for Akhileshwar Mahadev Kaspur

Akhileshwar Mahadev Kaspur of Bhandra was an ancient trading centre which was built around the first century BCE. It was a trading centre along with the movement of traffic from Magadha to Kalinga.

It was the centre of Buddhist Jainism. Earlier, this region was the centre of Asuras, whose favourite deity used to be Shankar. The symbolic stone (linga) of Shankar indicates maintaining his form.

The worship of this linga started after Buddhism. The residents here were worshippers of nature and lingas in the form of stones were easily available everywhere. Therefore, they worshipped this linga-like stone considering it to be Shiva.

Many remains are scattered near Bhandra High School, one of these is a picture of Shiva with beard made on stone. This stone relic is a Shiva idol in the form of a statue. This Shiva idol with beard was made in imitation of the idols found from the Indus Valley which were made in the first century.

The depiction of Shiva with beard here is of the first century. On the basis of the above facts, it can be said that the worship of Shivling in Akhileshwar started in the first century because there is a Shivling covered with stones to the west of Kaspur hill which is of the first century.

The date has been determined on the basis of its structure and shape. It is clear from this that earlier there was only Shivling on the hill of Akhileshwar which was covered with stones, later a platform must have been built around it in the third or fourth century using stones and bricks.

The temple was clearly built in the tenth to eleventh century. This temple was built with a mixture of Nagar style and Besar style. It was first built with pieces of stone and later completely with bricks.

The depiction of Nandi and other gods and goddesses in the temple was also done in the 10th to 11th century. Many small temples and platforms were built around the temple. The remains scattered around are the confluence of all religions (Shiva, Jain, Buddhist).

Which prove its historicity. The pieces of bricks used here match the thickness, length and height of the bricks used in the monastery and vihara as were used in the central place of the Tirthankaras and Buddhist Vihars of Jain and Buddhist religion.

Nagar and Besar style temple has 8 parts:-
(1) Base (2) Garbhagriha (3) Masaraka (Part between foundation and walls) (4) Jangha (Wall) (5) Gal (Neck) (6) Kapota (Karnik) (7) Shikhara (8) Circular (9) Kum (Vase with spear)

History of Akhileshwar Dham Temple

History of Akhileshwar Dham Temple Akhileshwar Dham was built by Maharaja Vairisaal of Ratu in the 8th century. At that time Akhileshwar Dham had a golden door and bell, but during the Mughal period, the Shivalinga installed in the temple was also damaged.

Also, the golden doors and bell which were made of gold were stolen. The Mughals had looted this 8th century temple a lot. The golden doors and bells installed in it were looted.

Akhileshwar Dham Temple was built between 10th and 12th century. Built in the local style, this temple is carved on a rock at a height of about 40 feet. The carver has built it by placing boulders on top of each other.

Religious importance

The local people believe about Akhileshwar Dham temple that whatever wish a devotee makes in this temple, his wish is fulfilled. If you hold the Shivling here with both your hands, your wish is fulfilled quickly. It is strictly forbidden to bring any food item in the temple premises.

This temple is most crowded every year during the month of Shravan. Kanwar Yatra is also organized here. Apart from this, the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva-Parvati is organized here with great pomp on Shivratri.

Crowds of devotees are also seen in this temple on Ganesh Chaturthi and Ram Navami. Although local people come here to worship every day, but there is the maximum crowd here on the occasion of a special festival. Many times a year, a paper fair is also organized here.

All the means of entertainment are brought to this fair. And many toy shops also come here. Due to which the religious cultural importance of this place can be seen. Apart from this, bhajans, kirtans, havans, pujas, aartis, Kanwar Yatra etc. are organized here.

Architecture and structure of the temple

The Akhileshwar Dham temple is situated here since ancient times. Local people believe that this temple was built by Lord Vishwakarma himself. The architecture and structure of this temple has been built in one night. This temple is said to be about 1000 years old.

Its structure has been built based on the architecture of ancient times. This is believed by the local people. Due to the continuous repair of this temple in today’s time, ancient remains can still be seen. This is evident by looking at the ancient remains located in the temple.

This temple built in the local style is carved on a mound-like rock at a height of about 40 feet. The carver has built the boulders by placing them on top of each other. This temple can be about 80 feet on the rock.

Major attractions of Akhileshwar Dham temple

The main attractions of Akhileshwar Dham temple are the ancient Shivalinga and the ancient remains of the temple. Apart from this, there is a temple built on a big rock and a pond on a stone near the temple.

There are many roofed platforms on the rocks to rest in the temple premises and a Dharamshala next to it where anyone can go and rest. It is open to all. All the devotees who come here, definitely stop for a while. They enjoy the beauty of this place.

They take advantage of the captivating environment of nature here. There is a huge mountain at some distance from this temple, which can be seen from a good distance from this temple. Many marriage halls have been built here today, which have been built on the same big rock.

How to reach Akhileshwar Dham temple

You can reach Lohardagga district by any means. You can reach by both road and rail. There is currently no public air link to Lohardaga.

The nearest public airports to Lohardaga are Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (75 km), Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (487 km) and Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport, Patna (300 km).

Talking about the rail route, Lohardaga is connected with almost all the states through the rail network via Ranchi station. Lohardaga is also connected to Tori station in Latehar district.

National Highway 43, National Highway 39 and National Highway 143A are the major highways passing through Lohardaga. Private bus services are available for inter-city travel. Akhileshwar Dham Temple can be easily reached by bus or tempo from Lohardagga district.

Activities held in the temple

Many festivals and celebrations are organized in Akhileshwar Dham Temple throughout the year. Of which Shivratri and Shravan Mela are the main ones. Apart from this, puja aarti is held daily in this temple in the morning and evening.

Programs like bhajan, kirtan, cultural programs, havan, mundan, marriage, fair, religious discourses etc. are organized. All these programs are organized on some special festival.

Major tourist places near the Akhileshwar Dham temple

• Prachin Shiv Mandir, Khakparta
• Lavapani Waterfall, Lohardaga
• Banpur dam – Banpur place
• Bagru Hill – kisko block
• Ajay Park – city near Bharwa toli
• Birsa Upvan Biodiversity Park
• Khakparta Mandir –
• Nandani Dam lohardaga- Bhandra place
• Kekrang Waterfalls – Bagru hill place
• Dhardharia Waterfalls -Senha Block
• 27 no. pool

Facility in Akhileshwar Dham Temple

There are many shops and Dharamshalas for food and drink in the Akhileshwar Dham temple complex. There are many hotels available for staying in the local city Lohardagga. Where you can stay at night. There is no problem of any kind for food and drink.

There are many line hotels on the roadside everywhere. The main dishes here are Lodha, Atom Bomb and Chhena Toast which are available at every food shop. Road transport service is available from time to time. There are many shops in the temple complex for all the material for worship.

Best time to visit

If you come to Lohardagga district for some other work, then you can visit Akhileshwar Dham temple. But if you want to enjoy the fair here, then this temple is decorated all over the place on Shravan Mela or Shivratri. There is decoration around the pond on the rock in the temple complex.

The maximum crowd of devotees can be seen in this pond during Chhath Puja. You can visit this temple in any season except summer. In fact, even in summer, the local devotees take bath and do puja here in the morning. The temple opens at 6 am.

In the afternoon, the priest goes for lunch, at that time the temple is locked and left. Then this temple remains open from 3 pm to 7 pm. This time limit keeps changing according to the season. So before going, get information about it from the local people here.

Social and economic impact

If seen, Akhileshwar Dham temple is actually an employment opportunity for the local people. Here many shops are set up in a row in the temple premises. In which religious items and puja materials are sold. Many unemployed people here have got employment from this temple.

The local tribe here has got a chance to improve their economic condition from this temple. Which is doing a development work for the society here. Apart from this, the local government has developed this temple under various schemes. This can excite your mind as soon as you go here.

FAQs for Akhileshwar Dham temple