Heavy rainfall and flooding have created a deluge-like situation in Himachal Pradesh. In the midst of the flood, the old Panchvaktra Mahadev temple in Mandi district was also visible.
The photos of this temple on the banks of the Beas River and Suketi Khad reminded us of Kedarnath.
This temple resembles Kedarnath. When Mandakini took on a furious shape ten years ago, a rock came between the Kedarnath temple and the river current, keeping the shrine safe.
A miracle occurred once more in the middle of the uproar caused by the flood in Himachal. Whereas the bridge, mountains, and large buildings all collapsed, the Panchvaktra temple was unaffected.
Mandi's famed ancient Panchvaktra temple is about 300 years old. It was constructed by then-King Siddha Sen (1684-1727). The ancient temple built in Shiva's hometown of Mandi has a long history.
It was dubbed Panchavaktra for the five-faced Shiva statue put in the temple, which is a one-of-a-kind example of an unidentified sculptor's work. Stones were employed in the temple's construction.
Shikhara architecture is used to construct the temple. This shrine is well-known throughout Himachal Pradesh, not only in Mandi.
According to legend, the flood submerged the Victoria Bridge built on the Suketi Khad near the temple after 100 years. People had never seen Beas in such a ferocious shape before.
Despite this, the Panchvaktra temple has not been damaged. The temple is surrounded by water on all sides, but the flood has not damaged it.
In Mandi, it is still raining. The summit of the temple and the premises close to it are visible in the most recent images.
Mandi is known as Chhoti Kashi. As Kashi is located on the banks of the Ganges, Mandi is located on the banks of the Beas River. On Sunday morning, water from the Beas River entered the Panchvaktra shrine.
By evening, the temple was surrounded by a deluge-like condition. Around 6 p.m., the temple was fully submerged. The water reached the temple's dome.
The Panchavaktra temple's sanctum sanctorum features a huge idol of Lord Shiva with five faces. These five faces are thought to represent different manifestations of Shiva, namely Ishaan, Aghora, Vamdev, Tatpurush, and Rudra.
The temple's main entrance faces the Beas River. In addition, there are gatekeepers on both sides. In the temple, there is also a large Nandi idol with his face turned towards the sanctum sanctorum.
The Panchvaktra Mahadev Temple is one of the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) protected sites.
