Famous Temples in India

Architecture

One can reach the Chandreshwar temple by the granite stone steps from the hill's base or by a drive up over a metal led road. At the top in a small clearing stands the Shri Chandreshwar Bhootnath temple. The edifice has a roof of Mangalore tiles, which is split in two levels. It has a pillared mandapa (hallway) with side entrances and a vestibule that leads to the garbhakudd (sanctum). The interior ornamentation is minimum and chaste. A dome rests on a hexagonal drum, which gives it a slender appearance. The kalash perched on the sikhara has been done in gold some years ago. The mural above the lintel of the main entrance depicting the Amrut Manthan makes a striking statement, although this seems to be a later addition. Under the shade of a peepul tree, one finds a deepa sthambha or lamp tower on a raised platform. There is also an old Nandi bull – which was worshipped earlier in the vicinity of the temple.

The Hill - The recently-built, magnificent Mahadvar (entrance gate), off the Quepem-Margao route, waits in welcome to lead one to the foot of the Hill at Mullem. Here, where the gradual climb towards the temple begins, one encounters the first Shrine of Shankabhairav. Moving higher, through dense foliage and small streams of cascading water, breath-taking glimpses of the villages below can be seen. Parvath is not only full of many herbs with medicinal properties, there are many tirthas (sacred water springs) as well, whose perennial water is sweet and cool. Kapil tirtha, Ganesh tirtha, Kamandul tirtha are a few springs which have been named after the rishis who had once sanctified them with their presence. The Hill is so large that circumambulating it from the foothill takes one through the villages of Mullem, Paroda, Ambaulim, Tolvode and Solvode.

The old and the new steps - Arriving at the end of the tar road, one is greeted by a steep flight of stairs numbering more than three-hundred. There is also a lesser known and less travelled route to the top, made of rough stone-steps and stretches from the foothill to the top.