Ratanpur
Site Name: Ratanpur
Ratanpur is a small town located near Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh state of India. It is a Hindu religious site. It was founded by Ratanraj, the grandson of Kalingaraj in the 11th century CE. It continued to be the capital city for various kingdoms till 18th century CE. Let us explore the important tourist sites in this little known town.
Legend:
As per the legend, Kapardidev, the husband of Ravana's sister Surpanakha ruled Ratanpur. He kidnapped Parvati and killed by Lord Shiva. Surpanakha wept so much that her tears formed a pond called Kajal Talab.
It is believed that Ratanpur was the birth place of Kausalya, mother of Lord Ram.
As Sati sacrificed herself in the yagna as she was unable to bear the insult towards her husband Shiva by her father Daksha, Lord Shiva got very angry. He carried the corpse of Sati and started performing Rudra Tandava. To save the universe, Lord Vishnu cut down Sati's corpse into pieces. The sites where the parts of Sati's body fell became Shakti Peeths. It is believed that the shoulder of Sati fell in Ratanpur and hence it is considered to be a Shakti Peeth.
When the Pandavas was performing the Ashwamedha yagna, the prince Tamradhwaj, the son of the King Mordhwaj who was ruling Ratanpur defeated the great warrior Arjuna and stopped the holy yagna horse.
Bhairavnath Temple:
At the entrance of Ratanpur, the Bhairavnath temple with the 9 feet tall Bhairava idol is located.
Lakshmi Temple:
Near Bhairavnath temple, on top of a small hill which can be reached by climbing around 150 steps, a small temple of the Goddess Lakshmi is located.
Maha Maya Temple:
Maha Maya Temple is the most visited temple in Ratanpur. It is the Shakti Peeth temple where the shoulder of the Goddess Sati fell. This temple was built in the 11th century CE during the reign of Ratandev.
Kantideval Temple:
Near Maha Maya temple, the 300 years old Maratha's Kantideval temple of architectural importance is situated.
Ratanpur Fort:
Ratanpur fort is in dilapidated state. There are two small temples dedicated to Jagannath and Vishnu apart from few sculptures are situated inside the fort.
Bhuddeshwara Temple:
Bhuddeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva called as Bhuddeshwara. It is located at the foothills.
Ram Panchayat Temple:
Atop the hill where Bhuddeshwara temple is situated, the Ram Panchayat temple where all the four brothers Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna are worshiped is located.
Ratneshwar Temple:
Ratneshwar (Shiva) Temple is supposed to be the main temple of Ratanpur. The town is named after the king who found it and also the same king built this temple and hence it is also named after him. It unfortunately remains unknown even to the locals of the town. It is situated in a remote location with a big tank in the front side and surrounded by fields in all sides.
Suryeshwar Temple:
Suryeshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and as Surya worshiped the deity he is called as Suryeshwar.
Happy travelling.
Site Type: Hindu religious town
Location: 25 kms from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh state, India
Highlights: Old temples and fort
Nearest Railway Station: Bilaspur
Nearest Airport: Raipur
How to reach: Well connected by road from Bilaspur
Hotel: Few options in Bilaspur
Restaurants: Very limited options in BilaspurRatanpur is a small town located near Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh state of India. It is a Hindu religious site. It was founded by Ratanraj, the grandson of Kalingaraj in the 11th century CE. It continued to be the capital city for various kingdoms till 18th century CE. Let us explore the important tourist sites in this little known town.
Legend:
As per the legend, Kapardidev, the husband of Ravana's sister Surpanakha ruled Ratanpur. He kidnapped Parvati and killed by Lord Shiva. Surpanakha wept so much that her tears formed a pond called Kajal Talab.
It is believed that Ratanpur was the birth place of Kausalya, mother of Lord Ram.
As Sati sacrificed herself in the yagna as she was unable to bear the insult towards her husband Shiva by her father Daksha, Lord Shiva got very angry. He carried the corpse of Sati and started performing Rudra Tandava. To save the universe, Lord Vishnu cut down Sati's corpse into pieces. The sites where the parts of Sati's body fell became Shakti Peeths. It is believed that the shoulder of Sati fell in Ratanpur and hence it is considered to be a Shakti Peeth.
When the Pandavas was performing the Ashwamedha yagna, the prince Tamradhwaj, the son of the King Mordhwaj who was ruling Ratanpur defeated the great warrior Arjuna and stopped the holy yagna horse.
Bhairavnath Temple:
At the entrance of Ratanpur, the Bhairavnath temple with the 9 feet tall Bhairava idol is located.
Lakshmi Temple:
Near Bhairavnath temple, on top of a small hill which can be reached by climbing around 150 steps, a small temple of the Goddess Lakshmi is located.
Maha Maya Temple:
Maha Maya Temple is the most visited temple in Ratanpur. It is the Shakti Peeth temple where the shoulder of the Goddess Sati fell. This temple was built in the 11th century CE during the reign of Ratandev.
Kantideval Temple:
Near Maha Maya temple, the 300 years old Maratha's Kantideval temple of architectural importance is situated.
Ratanpur Fort:
Ratanpur fort is in dilapidated state. There are two small temples dedicated to Jagannath and Vishnu apart from few sculptures are situated inside the fort.
Bhuddeshwara Temple:
Bhuddeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva called as Bhuddeshwara. It is located at the foothills.
Ram Panchayat Temple:
Atop the hill where Bhuddeshwara temple is situated, the Ram Panchayat temple where all the four brothers Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna are worshiped is located.
Ratneshwar Temple:
Ratneshwar (Shiva) Temple is supposed to be the main temple of Ratanpur. The town is named after the king who found it and also the same king built this temple and hence it is also named after him. It unfortunately remains unknown even to the locals of the town. It is situated in a remote location with a big tank in the front side and surrounded by fields in all sides.
Suryeshwar Temple:
Suryeshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and as Surya worshiped the deity he is called as Suryeshwar.
Happy travelling.
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