Danteshwari Temple is a 600-year-old heritage pilgrim center built by Chalukya kings in the 14th century. The temple is located at
Dantewada, about 80 km from
Jagdalpur, near the Gole Bazaar and
Bastar Palace, in
Bastar District,
Chhattisgarh. Two rivers, Shankini and Dhankini, meet here. Danteshwari got its name from the belief that a tooth of Devi
Sati fell here.
The temple, with its unique idol made of black stone, is rich in architectural and sculptural wealth. It has four parts -
Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap - with a Garud Pillar at the entrance. The temple is decorated and lit up magnificently during the Dussehra festival. Hindu and tribal pilgrims flock to Danteshwari during this time.
