Eklingji is a Hindu temple complex in Udaipur District of Rajasthan in western India. Eklingji is believed to be the ruling deity of Mewar Princely State and the Ruler Maharana rules as his Dewan.
Shrine’s History
Begun in 971, the temple complex was built by the Guhila dynasty of Mewar, in honor of their presiding deity Eklingji, a form of Lord Shiva. The beautifully sculpted temple complex includes 108 temples within its high walls. The main temple, which dates to the 15th century, was rebuilt from the ruins of an earlier destroyed temple.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The walled complex is made of marble and granite and has an enormous double-storied, elaborately pillared hall or “mandap” under a vast pyramidal roof, with a four-faced image of Lord Shiva in black marble. Another temple in the complex is the Lakulish Temple; built in 971, it is the only temple of the Lakulish sect in the whole of India.The Eklingji temple is surrounded by long walls of hard rock. This fascinating temple was built in 734 A.D. It consists of 108 temples chiselled out of sandstone and marble.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Eklingji is conveniently reached by bus and car. Tourists can access to the complex from RSTC buses that runs from Udaipur to Eklingji and other major destinations of Rajasthan. It takes approximately an hour to reach Eklingji from Udaipur.
By Rail
Udaipur Railway Station is located at a comfortable distance from the city of Udaipur. Rajasthan Railways connects Udaipur station with all the other cities of Rajasthan as well as India. There are frequent trains which run to and from Udaipur connecting Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi.
By Air
Udaipur Airport namely Maharana Pratap Airport is located near Dabok at a distance of 22 km from the city of Udaipur. Many domestic airlines connect the city to all the major cities of India including Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Regular air services are available for Delhi and Mumbai.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Shivaratri
Extra Information About this Shrine
There are other ancient temples near Eklingji, such another Shiva Temple that was built in the time of Maharana Raimal between 1473 and 1509. About 1 km from Eklingji, Nagda town is famous for its Sahasra Bahu Temples and Adbudji temples. The Sas-Bahu Temple is widely known for its exquisite stone carvings, which are related to incidents in the great Indian epic Ramayana.