01The lotus-eyed Vishnu
The Rajiv Lochan temple stands in a walled court with four smaller shrines at its corners, in the panchayatana plan. Its stone pillars carry tall figures of river goddesses, Narasimha, Varaha, Trivikrama and Durga, carved in the 7th–8th centuries. The murti in the sanctum is a four-armed Vishnu in black stone. Among the temple’s inscriptions is one of the Nala king Vilasatunga, and another of the 12th century from the time of the Kalachuris of Ratanpur. Pilgrims believe the Jagannath darshan at Puri is complete only after a visit to Rajim.
02Kuleshwar in the river
On a rock island in the middle of the confluence stands the Kuleshwar Mahadev temple, its high plinth built to withstand the floods. Local tradition holds that Sita worshipped a linga of sand here during the vanavasa. From Magh Purnima to Mahashivaratri the Rajim fair, known as the Rajim Kumbh or Punni Mela, fills the sandbanks with sadhus and pilgrims.
The life of this place
- c. 7th–8th centuryThe Rajiv Lochan temple is built; an inscription of the Nala king Vilasatunga is found here.
- 12th centuryAn inscription of the Kalachuri period records further work at the temple.
About 45 km south-east of Raipur. The Magh Purnima to Mahashivaratri fair is the time to go.
