Incised out of sandstone and marble, Eklingji is a little village dotted with temples. Enclosed by high walls, it is a complex of 108 ancient temples. The exquisitely carved Eklingji was built to propagate the blessings of Lord Shiva, the supreme power and the guardian deity of Mewar.

This deity was regarded as the virtual ruler, by the Maharajas of Mewar who considered they to be regents (Dewans) under Eklingji. Temple services performed are elaborate in the Vedic and Tantric styles. Shivratri is an important religious event, when the image of the deity is decked with jeweler, attracting plenitude of visitors.

HISTORY

The temple occupies an area of about 2500 sq. feet and is about 65 feet in height. Dating back to the 15th century AD, the existing structure is built out of the ruins of a previously destroyed structure. This temple is said to have been founded by Acharya Viswaroopa a contemporary of Adi Sankaracharya and is linked with the Sharada Math at Dwaraka which was also founded by Adi Sankaracharya.

Another temple called Nathon Ka Mandir bears inscriptions dating back to the 10th century AD. The Sas-Bahu marble temple, dating back to the 11th century is a fine specimen of ancient art with sculptural details. The Adbhudji Jain temple is of black marble and it dates back to the 15th century AD.

CULTURE

A complex of 108 ancient temples, the exquisitely carved Eklingji temple is a complex with an ornate mandap or pillared hall, the canopy of a huge pyramidal roof composed of hundreds of knots. With lavishly carved pillars and a flight of steps leading to the kund, they are a fine specimen of ancient art with speak of the rich sculptural legacy of Eklingji.

FOOD

Gram flour is a major ingredient here and is used to make some of the delicacies like Khata, Gatte Ki Sabzi and Pakodi. Powdered lentils are used for Mangodi and Papad. Bajra and corn are used all over the state for preparations of Rabdi, Khichdi and Rotis.

A soup of legumes, flavoured with red chilli peppers, yoghurt or milk and sometimes a vegetable such as Okra, Jackfruit, Eggplant, Mustard or Fenugreek leaf. The wealthy can afford to eat meat regularly, but many abstain for religious reasons. Though the Rajasthani kitchen was able to create much from little, it had also to cater to different communities with their own ritual observances.

Chutneys Galore - Various chutneys are made from locally available spices like turmeric, coriander, mint and garlic. Perhaps the best-known Rajasthani food is the combination of dalbati and churma but for the adventurous traveller, willing to experiment, there is a lot of variety available.

LOCATION

Town is situated in a beautiful valley about twelve miles to the North and 22 km from Udaipur in Rajasthan.

By Air

Maharana Pratap Airport of Udaipur is the nearest airport and is well connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Rajkot, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.

By Rail

Udaipur is the main and nearest railhead and has excellent connection with Delhi, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Agra, Luck now, Mumbai and Kolkata.

By Road

Eklingji is connected via Udaipur at 22 km. Udaipur being on National Highway No 8 connects Delhi to Mumbai via Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur and Ahmedabad. Udaipur has a thorough network of comfortable deluxe tourist buses.

CLIMATE

Eklingji is very hot and dry in summer and extremely cold in winter.

Eklingji is a complex of 108 ancient temples, incised out of sandstone and marble. The Eklingji temple was built in AD 734, to propagate the blessings of Lord Shiva. Exquisitely carved and dedicated to Lord Shiva, the guardian deity of Mewar, it is a complex with a flight of steps, leading to the kund. It has an ornate mandap or pillared hall, the canopy of a huge pyramidal roof composed of hundreds of knots. Occupying an area of about 2500 sq. feet, the temple is about 65 feet in height and is fortified with a strong wall running around it. The main entrance to the temple on the western side welcomes visitors into a big hall resting on lavishly carved pillars. In this hall, is a silver image of Nandi. There are two more Nandis in the temple, one made of black stone and the other of brass. Dating back to the 15th century AD, the existing structure is built out of the ruins of a previously destroyed structure. The sanctum sanctorum has a four-faced image of Shiva, representing Brahma facing west, Vishnu facing North, Maheshwar facing south and Surya (Sun) facing the East. The flat top of the composite idol is covered with a Yantra, a mystic symbolic drawing, standing for the ultimate reality. Founded by Acharya Viswaroopa a contemporary of Adi Sankaracharya, temple services are performed in a very elaborate manner in the Vedic and Tantric styles - everyday beginning at 4 in the morning.

There are about 70 temples in all. Among them the Sas-Bahu marble temple, dating back to the 11th century deserves a special mention. It is a fine specimen of ancient art with sculptural details.

Nathdwara is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. One of the most celebrated pilgrimage shrines of India, enshrining Krishna as Govardhana Giridhari, it was originally enshrined at the Vraj Bhoomi at Mount Govardhan near Mathura. The name Nathdwara means Gate of the Lord. The image was brought to Mewar for its protection during the period of the Moghul monarch Aurangazeb. Nathdwara is very closely associated with the Vallabha Sampradaya of Vaishnavism.

KARZ KUND AND TULSI KUND - These are two tanks situated on the northern side of the Eklingji temple - Karz Kund and Tulsi Kund. Water from these tanks is utilized for temple services, which are performed in a very elaborate manner in the Vedic and Tantric styles. NATHON KA MANDIR - The Nathon Ka Mandir in the temple complex, bears inscriptions dating back to the 10th century AD. No worship is offered here.