 Mahabilkeshwar Temple (2).JPG)
 Mahabilkeshwar Temple (3).JPG)
 Mahabilkeshwar Temple (4).JPG)
 Mahabilkeshwar Temple (1).JPG)
| Identification / पहचान | |
| Reference Number / संदर्भ संख्या | JK14000874 |
| Built Heritage/Site निर्मित धरोहर / स्थल |
Built Heritage |
| Name of the Monument / Built Heritage / Site स्मारक / निर्मित धरोहर / स्थल का नाम |
Mahabilvakeshwar Temple |
| State / राज्य | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District / जिला | Kathua |
| Manual District | |
| Sub District / उप-जिला | Billawar (NAC) |
| Manual Sub District | |
| Village / गाँव | |
| Manual Village | |
| Cultural Affiliation / सांस्कृतिक सम्बंधन | Medieval - मध्यकाल |
| Date/Period तारीख/युग |
C. 3000- 2000 BCE |
| Sub Period | |
| Geo-Location / भू-अवस्थिति | Billawar |
| Latitude / अक्षांश | |
| Longitude / देशान्तर | |
| Approach to the Monument / पहुंचने का मार्ग | |
| Approach /पहुंचने का मार्ग | N.A |
| Air Port / विमानपत्तन | Jammu |
| Railway Station / रेलवे स्टेशन | Kathua |
| Bus Station / बस स्टैंड | Kathua |
| Topographical Features / स्थलाकृतिक विशेषताएं | |
| Topographical Feature / स्थलाकृतिक विशेषताएं | Hill - पहाड़ी |
| Topographical Description / स्थलाकृतिक विवरण | Located on a hill, the site is surrounded by hilly mountains on all sides. |
| History / इतिहास | |
| Brief History / संक्षिप्त इतिहास | Also known as Hari Hara Temple, this Shiv Temple is said to have been constructed on the site where the Pandavs had worshipped during their exile. Apparently the name of the temple is attributed to the Bilva trees that were found in abundance in the area. According to the ASI sources, the Temple was built by Babhruvahan, son of Arjun. |
| Local / Traditional description associated with Built Heritage / Site निर्मित धरोहर / स्थल से सम्बंधित स्थानीय/ परम्परागत विवरण |
The site is significant for its association with the Pandavas. It is also the most ancient Shiv temple in the area and based on North Indian temple architectural style. |
| Architectural Style / स्थापत्य शैली | N.A - उपलब्ध नहीं |
| Building/ Structure/Site
इमारत / संरचना / स्थल |
|
| Description of Building/ Structure/Site
इमारत/संरचना/स्थल का विवरण |
The much damaged Temple is noteworthy for its architectural and structural grandeur and decoration both on the exterior face and the interior walls. The plan consists of saptaratha, garbagriha, antral and a madapa. The temple is constructed on an average high plinth. The wall surfaces have mouldings at the base and the top and series of niches to hold idols. The shikhara is curvilinear with a lantern type ceiling. The only surviving elements on the madapa are the base of four central pillars and twelve pilasters all round. A porch and a stairway were uncovered during recent archaeological exploration of the site. The inner sanctum or the garbagriha holds the lingum and other sculptures in black stone. The overall height of the temple is 60ft. |
| Structure material and other material संरचनागत सामग्री और अन्य घटक |
|
| Building/Structure material and other material used प्रयोग में लाई गई इमारती / संरचनागत सामग्री और अन्य घटक |
The only building material that has been used in the construction of the temple is stone acquired locally. |
| Usage(s) & Sub Type | |
| Usage(s) / प्रयोग | Non-Living Monument - प्रयोग मे नहीं |
| Sub-Usage(s)/ उप-प्रयोग | Religious Temple |
| Ownership / स्वामित्व | Central - केन्द्र |
| Protection status / संरक्षण अवस्था | State Protected - राज्य संरक्षित |
| Plan/Elevation विन्यास/उध्र्व विन्यास | |
| Published Reference / प्रकाशित संदर्भ | |
| Author / लेखक | N.A |
| Name / नाम | N.A |
| Year / वर्ष | |
| Published/Unpublished प्रकाशित / अप्रकाशित |
Unpublished |
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