PLACES

DHAMANTRI

Dhamantri is a small village of 545 inhabitants in Candur tahsil situated on the banks of the river Wardha, north of Kaundinyapur. There is a primary school and an ancient temple of Mahadeva, at a distance of about 202 metres to the south of the village, situated on a rising ground in the midst of a small babul grove. On its southern side there are the extensive Government forests and on the eastern, the river Wardha. The original structure of the temple was Hemadpanti but it has now-lost its original architectural style due to renovations in subsequent periods. In recent years it has been greatly extended, and now has a spacious 20-pillared sabhamandap and a ghantaghar, or bell, chamber. A compound wall encloses the temple and the area thus enclosed including that occupied by the temple is approximately 45 metres x 30 metres (150' x 100'). To the east of the temple within the compound is the ghantaghar with a storey above and a cellar below. On the upper storey is hung a huge bell made of asta dhatu or eight metals weighing approximately 393-24 kg. (400 seers). It was donated by one Sri Punjabrav Manjrimasla. The groundfloor contains an image of Nandi while the cellar is occupied by a Linga. A stone image of a tortoise as well as images of Ganapati, Dattatraya, Hanuman and Kapilmuni decorate the sabhamandap. Besides the Mahadeva linga the inner shrine which is 1.115 m² (twelve feet square) holds a white marble idol of Parvati. Some of the more prosperous devotees have gifted 50.625 hectares (125 acres) of land to the temple. There is a trust to look after the property and maintenance of the temple. A fair in honour of the deity is held on Mahasivratra day and is attended by about 4,000 people.

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