Nareshwar Shiva Temples - A Ruined Heritage

Nareshwar is a chain of Shiva temples located about 30 km from Gwalior and about 50 km from Morena. Although the way to come here is not yet right. But these temples are believed to have been built in the 3rd to 7th centuries. It is not yet completely clear whether these were made in the Gupta period or in the Gurjar Pratihara period. There are ponds near the Nareshwar temple. That’s why Shiva temples were built here by cutting the rocks under them. Means Jal Lok was converted into Shivdham. During the rainy season, the water of the spring falling due to the ponds comes out after touching the Shivling. In such a situation, the view here becomes very attractive.

Historical religious place Nareshwar is located in the forests of Rithora area, 50 km away from Morena, on the border of Gwalior and Bhind. The area is so remote that there is no way to reach it. After walking about three kilometers through bumpy roads, this place is situated in the mountains surrounded by forests. The construction of the temples here is believed to be from the third to the fifth century (Gupta period), but their magnificence developed during the Pratihara period of the ninth century.

This is special in Nareshwar
At present, there is a series of 23 temples here, in which one temple is of Harsiddhi Mata, in the rest of the temples Shivling is enshrined. Apart from 23 temples, 20 to 25 temples are lying scattered in the form of stones in ruins. The construction of the temples here is square, which is not seen anywhere in the country. The main Shivling of the Nareshwar temple is also square.

A wonderful view of drainage and conservation is seen at this place full of surprises. There are two ponds behind the temples on the top of the hill, which get filled to the brim in the rains. The water of these ponds has been taken out from the top, middle and bottom of the temple in such a way that till date there was no harm to the temples. Jalabhishek of the main Shivling is also done automatically with this water. When the ponds are full in the rainy season, then the consecration of Shivling takes place naturally.

The remains of the temple coming out of the piles of stones

Before starting the restoration work here by the ASI, the sunken stone piles were reconstructed. Many parts of the temples built here emerged from these piles. Some temples have been re-erected by adding these parts. One of these is also the Hanuman temple. Apart from the Hanuman temple in this group of temples, there is also a Durga temple, which is built on a different height.

How to reach Nareshwar

From Morena via Noorabad town one can reach Rithora and from Rithora Nareshwar can be reached. Similarly, one can reach here from Gwalior via Malanpur. Vehicles have to be dropped about three km before the temple and Nareshwar’s temples can be reached on foot.