Harshnath Temple

Harshnath Temple
Harshnath Temple
हर्षनाथ्
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Sikar
Deity	Shiva
Location
Location	Harshnath
State	Rajasthan
Country	India
	; Location of Harshnath temple in Rajasthan Harshnath Temple (India)
Geographic coordinates	27°30′00″N 75°10′21″E / 27.499914°N 75.172443°E
Elevation	900 m (2,953 ft)

Harshnath Temple (Sanskrit: हर्षनाथ् Harṣanātha) is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is situated in the Sikar district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located 14 km from district headquarters Sikar.^[1]

History

This Shiva temple, according to an inscription dated 973 CE, was built by the Shiv ascetic Bhavarakta, during the reign of Chahamana king Vigraharaja I. It is surrounded by various shrines which lie in ruins.^[2]

In 1718 Rao Shivsingh constructed a new temple adjacent to the old temple using the ruins of the old temple.^{[citation needed]}

Exactly same type of temple also situated at Harsh Village, Bilara Harsh Deval Temple, Dist Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Harsh Deval Temple at Bilara was also built in 10th century.

Architecture

The temple and its surrounding shrines are now in ruins. The main temple faces east. Its pillars are intricately carved. On the inside west wall is carved a figure of standing Parvati [labelled Vikata] in panchagnitap along with her female attendants.^[2]