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| Koteshwar Mahadev temple,Lanji,MPupload.wikimedia.org |
The Lanji Durg and Mandir, also referred to as Lanjigarh or the Old Fort and Temples of Lanji, is a historically significant heritage site located in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh. Dating back to the 11th–12th centuries, the fort and temple complex represent a remarkable blend of military architecture and early Hindu religious traditions in central India. They form a group of monuments with many stone carving of Hindu deities in the Hindu pantheon.
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| Lanji Durg Koteshwar upload.wikimedia.org Credit: Ms Sarah Welch |
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| Lanji Durg Koteshwar Mandir MP.puratattva.in |
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| Koteshwar Mahadev temple puratattva.in |
Above image: Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, MP. The temple was first discovered in a poor state with fair preservation in the midst of a bamboo forest by one J F Blakiston (apparently an archaeologist?) during his visit in 1913-14. When the forest slowly disappeared, the temple became visible in the early 1900s. Presently, it is under the control of the ASI.........
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| Old fort wall, Lanji, MP upload.wikimedia.org |
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| Lanji Koteshwar Mahadev temple en.wikipedia.org |
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| Lanji Koteshwar Mahadev temple, puratattva.in |
The most prominent surviving structure within the fort is a Hindu temple believed to have originally housed the Trimurti (Trinity gods)—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—in its three sanctums. Though the original icons are lost, the temple’s Nagara-style architecture remains largely intact, showcasing a fusion of Kalachuri and Yadava stylistic elements, both of which influenced temple design in central and western India during the medieval period. The tribal kingdoms seem to have adopted to Hinduism in the early century-12th century.
Significantly, inscriptions found at the site, some dated to before the 12th century, reference the Gond tribal rulers of the region and their early adoption of Hindu practices. This makes Lanji an important archaeological site that highlights the integration of tribal kingdoms into mainstream Hindu cultural and religious frameworks. There is also evidence of restoration during the 18th century, possibly under local Gond rulers, suggesting the site's continued strategic and cultural importance.
Though lesser-known, Lanji Durg and Mandir offers valuable insights into medieval fort architecture, regional temple styles, and religio-political transitions in central India. Recent interest from heritage conservationists and historians has brought attention to the need for further documentation and preservation of this unique site.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaghat_district
