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The
Solanki dyansty of Rajputs were staunch Saivates and liberally
endowed to the existing ancient temples, besides building new ones
of gigantic proportions with unprecedented architectural
embellishments and sculptural beauties. Among them the Rudramahadev
mandir can be singled out in proof of their bounteous patronage. It
was in 944 A.D. the construction was started, but the Sivalinga was
installed, during the reign of Mularaj. It took nearly 175 years to
get its final shape, as it was conceived on a large scale and many
rulers fashioned and built, each according to his choice and life
style. It is a three, storied temple containing eleven temples
inside. Its imposing towers, broad high walls adorned with exquisite
carvings consumed fourteen crores of gold mohurs and it was
ungrumbingly spent by Siddharaj. All but for renovation work only,
since the original plan was abnormally big, built with 1600 pillars
and 1800 idols adorned with jewels. Furthermore, there were 30,000
golden kailasas and 1700 flags fluttering over the towers. And so
nothing restrains one comparing at to the splendour of Kailas. In
divinity, inside, there were eleven mandirs, one for each of the
Ekadasarudras, the different aspects of that great Lord. Its
original name Sristhala, but was changed to Siddhapura after the
patron king. The Mandir of Nilakanteswara Mahadev is said to have
been built by the queen of Siddharaj. In addition, there are
Vatakeswara, Bhutanata and Brahamandeeswara temples, visualising the
unsurpassable devotion of kings and the glory of Siva. A miss-not
Saiva kshetra and it stands second to none but to itself both in
conception and construction matching the position of the
incomparable splendour of that All-time Highest Divinity SIVA.
It
lies 100 Km off Ahemadabad in the State of Gujarat enjoying all
conveyance facilities.
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