Eklingji Temple

About

Eklingji is a form of Lord Shiva and it is worshiped by the Hindus in India. It is a very popular temple in Mewar as it is consider that the Eklingji rules the Mewar state and the Maharana(king) serves the god, as ministers. The magnificent temple complex has 108 temples within its high walls. It covers an area of about 2500 sq feet, the temple houses a four faced black stone statue of lord Shiva known as Mahadeva Chaumukhi (the quadriform divinity). The four faces of the statue point to the four directions that represent Surya (East), Brahma (West), Vishnu (North) and Rudra (South). The entrance of the temple contains a beautifully sculpted huge Nandi, which is the loyal steed of Lord Shiva. It also has a silver snake encircled at the bottom. The whole family of Shiva can be seen in the temple complex with Lord Ganesh and Karthikeya at the silver gate guarding their father. Statues of Yamuna and Sarasvati are also housed in the temple, Nymphs in erotic dance postures and a life size statue of Bappa Rawal just in front of the main temple also adorn the serenity of the facility.. The interior of the temple is adorned with a pillared hall and a huge pyramidal roof that is composed of hundreds of knots, carved and decorated with colored stones. It also has a Nathon Ka Mandir(temple) which has inscriptions dating back to the 10th century.

Eklingji Temple Udaipur Darshan & Aarti Timings

Darshan Timings
Morning Time	4:30 am to 7:00 am & 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Evening Time	5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Aarti Timings
Morning Aarti	5:30 am, 8:15 am, 9:15 am & 11:30 am
Afternoon Aarti	3:30 pm & 4:30 pm
Evening Aarti	5:00 pm & 6:30 pm

History

It is said that the temple has a history starting from the 8th century when the Guhila dynasty of Mewar laid the foundation stone of the temple in honor of their deity Shri Eklingji. The main temple dates back to the 15th century when it was rebuilt by Bappa Rawal from the earlier destroyed temple.

Believes

It is believed that Shri Eklingji has been in existence since Satya yuga, and was worshiped by Indra(the god of rain). In Treta age, the Kamdhenu being afraid of swamy Vishwamitra prayed to Shri Eklingji for help and then the armies of Swamy Vishwamitra were defeated by guru Vashistha.

Pro-Tip

One must visit the Indra Sarovar lake behind Eklinjgi temple.