Shree Koteshwar Mahadev Mandir

Koteshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Gujarat's Kutch area near India's westernmost edge. It is one of Gujarat's sacred pilgrimage sites and one of the best locations to visit in the Rann of Kutch. It is located near Narayan Sarovar. It is one of the most popular places of Rann of Kutch.

Traveling across the desert in western Kutch, you will come across the Koteshwar Temple, which is located where the grandeur of dry land meets the inconceivable vastness of the sea. The sight of the ocean can lift your spirits after such parched terrain; nonetheless, the sea is even less favorable to humanity, a depressing idea. 

The Koteshwar Temple, India's westernmost outpost of human architecture, is the only point that breaks the skyline from the flat brown horizon to the east and the great blue horizon to the west.

What is Koteshwar Mahadev Temple famous for?

The well-known Koteshwar Temple is located near Narayan Sarovar and is famed for the narrative surrounding Lord Shiva and Ravana. The previous temple, which was built centuries ago, was demolished. The local Kutchi painters repaired the temple, making it a visual delight. During the Rann of Kutch travel package, it is a must-see attraction.

What is the story of Koteshwar Mahadev Temple?

Koteshwar Temple, also famous as Kotilingeshwara Temple, is for Lord Shiva. Jetha Shiva Brahmashaktirya and Seth Sundarji constructed the temple in 1820. Koteshwar means 'ten million gods' in Sanskrit. According to tradition, Lord Shiva bestowed religious authority on Ravana in recognition of his devotion. 

Ravana inadvertently dropped it here. The linga was transformed into millions of identical replicas to punish Ravana for his carelessness. Unable to tell the difference, Ravana took one and left, leaving the original here, around which Koteshwar Temple was made.

The temple

This stone temple is on an elevated platform and is protected from the sea by a wall. Tidal creeks used to cut the temple nearly entirely isolated from the mainland, but it is now accessible by road. The temple has walls around it, and you can reach the gate via three flights of stairs. 

The terrace includes three domes, the most beautiful of which is the central dome. In the temple's sanctuary, a linga represents the presiding deity. The idols of Lord Ganapati, Hanuman, and Parvati are also at the shrine. Rao Deshalji I passed the brass Nandi Idol of Kutch State.