MeraPahad Community Of Uttarakhand Lovers

 
Mahasu Devta Temple
 
Mahasu Devta Temple is located on the Tyuni-Mori road at Hanol. The Temple is dedicated to Mahasu Devta, Lord Mahasu is the chief Deity of this area and is worshipped in Mahasu Devta Temple by the people of Hanol and nearby villages. The temple is the ancient temple of Mahasu Devta built in 9th century. The temple was constructed in Huna architectural style initially but over the ages, acquired a mixed style. The temple is included in the Archaeological Survey of India list of ancient temple in Dehradun circle, Uttarakhand.[1]
Mahasu Devta Temple is located on the eastern bank of Tons River [Tamas] at Hanol village, near Chakrata, about 180 km from Dehradun and 78 km from Mussoorie.
 

 
(Soruce wikipeida)
 
 

In Mahabharata Era
 
During Mahabharat era, King Duryodhana came to Purola after travelling through Kullu and Kashmir. Duryodhana liked Purola so much that he decided to Reside here. He prayed to Mahasu Devta for piece of land. The deity accepted his pleas and made him the King of area. King Duryodhana made Jakholi as his capital village and constructed Mahasu Devta Temple. In medieval time the great Mughal emperor Akbar used to make frequent visits to Mahasu Devta Temple

Architectural Aspects of the temple
 
 
Architecturally Mahasu Devta Temple at Hanol is one of the rarest examples of perfect and harmonious blend of stone and wooden structure to form one composite grand edifice. The sanctum proper is a pure stone shikhara in classical nagastyle. The whole wooden structure is covered with a high pitched slated pent roof surmounted by a two two tired conical canopy over it on which a gracefully tapered kalash pinnacle stands. The roof ends and the projection of balcony are ornamented with danging fringes a pendent corner bells which sway with the slightest movement of breeze.
The stone built classical sanctum sanctorum enshrines many mohras and one bronze image. Those in front row from left to right are 1) Chalda Mahasu i.e. the Mahasu who keeps on moving 2) Devladli Devi mother of Mahasu Devta 3) Kapala Bir one of the four birs (attendants) of Mahasu Devta and 4) Shedkuliya- The attendant who emits the whistling sound. Behind them in the preceding order 1) Pavasi Devta 2) Kailu-a Bir 3) Natari polyandrous wife of four Mahasu brothers, in font of all the face images is seated in a middle a small bronze image which is regarded as Botha Mahasu.
Entry to sanctum is restricted strictly for others except the Pujari even he is required to undergo ritual ablution every time he enters the celestial realms by tradition pujari of temple is a Brahmin. He is not supposed to eat meat, only eat food once a day avoid proximity with other persons, male and female during the term of his deity as pujari.
In front of sanctum is a large room which functions as an extension to the sanctum where sacramental objects are stored. This room is called Bhandar. Entry to this room is restricted to Brahmins only. The gilded door of the bhandar is very interesting. It surface is profusely embossed with human and animal figures in a very bold manner depicting the episodes associated with the birth of Mahasu Devta. The door frame is intensively covered with coins nailed over one another through years but non of them are numismatic interest and range from recent past. The lion head is fitted with a gold brass ring that serves as a handle. Such ornamental door are common in temple near east of satluj. In front of the vestibule is a sabha mandap followed by an open frontal portico. All the four apartments of this temple are roofed separately. Vestibule and bhandar have a combined three-tiered pent roof with pyramid canopy. The frontal porch has a gable roof over it supported by two wooden pillars with an intermediate ornamental arch.