Information of Papnash Shiva Temple, Bidar, Karnataka

Papnash Shiva Temple in Bidar is an important ancient temple of the Hindu belief. Lord Shiva in Linga form is the main deity of this temple. It is located in a beautiful valley and nearby a natural spring pool. This is an historic and very ancient temple of Hinduism. This is a great pilgrim place to wash away the sins of devotees by taking a holy dip in this temple pond popularly known as the Papnasha Thirtha. It is divinely located on the hills slops of Manjira river valley of Bidar District of Karnataka State in India.

Papnash Shiva Temple Religious Significance

Many pilgrims come here to get their sins washed away by taking a holy dip in this temple pond. The Sanskrit word Papa means the Sin and Nash means to destroy. The Lord Shiva is also known as the destroyer of evils. Hence, many devotees come here and take a dip in this pond and worship Lord Shiva to get rid of their past sins. The Maha Shiva Rathri is the main festival here and attracts lot of pilgrims. Here devotees are allowed to do their personal pooja's and offerings to gods. Here the devotees can touch the sculptures and pray. The Varkari tradition peoples from Maharashtra cross this ancient valley by walk and add up many cultural events here by performing their folk dance and songs. They stay around this temple in tents and are seen fully loaded with traditional music and dance on the Maha Shiva Rathri day.

Papnash Shiva Temple Mythology & History

As per the puranas and inscription found in the Vedic period, this valley was once visited by the Lord Rama. Also as per the kanada Shri Guru Charitra, its 50th chapter dose mentions the Rama story. It is mentioned here that Lord Rama after defeating the Lankeshwara and was returning with Sita Devi in the Pawan Hansa. Lord Rama took rest in this Bidar valley and he kept a Linga here and worshiped it. Later a small temple was built here by its tribal peoples. But this ancient temple as naturally eroded with time. In the medieval period only a new structure was given shape here. But the temple pond named Papa Vinashini Teerth was regularly visited by many Hindu devotees, since the ancient times. This temple and the Rama Sethu are the little evidence left on earth for the existence of Ramayanic Era or the Thirtha Yuga prevailed in India, which was ruled by the Sun Dynasty.

Papnash Shiva Temple Architectural Significance

There is no record of how the ancient temple look like, which was built here in the Thirta Yuga. The present structure was built in the medieval times and was built in a traditional Hindu temple style. It is a square type structure having a 5 storied Gopura (Obelisk Tower) with many miniature carvings. The entrance of this temple is approached by few stone blocks steps and can find a mandapa (Porch). This temple has got few Shiva Lingas placed in and outside of this temple complex. The main Shiva Linga is a big one carved on single stone. It has three small Shiva Lingas before it. There is also separate Shiva Linga placed in few small mandapas outside this temple. A beautiful Nandhi (Bull) of lord Shiva is also found outside this temple. A life size statue of Lord Shiva is built outside this complex area, which is looking very much divine with holding the trident and a serpent rounded up on his neck. The main structure is the temple pond. It is known as the Papanasha Theerth. This is a step pond having a length of 16 feet and a breath of 14 feet long.