Photo Story by Ajoy Konar

When we encounter something unexpected, it puzzles us. This was the experience of this columnist who is about to tell us the story about the temple of Ranak Devi at Vadhwan, Gujrat.

The name Vadhwan is after the 24th Tirthankara Mahabir Vardhaman. Well, this temple was not dedicated to some heavenly Goddess but the deity here was a queen of the 10^th century of Junagadh of the then Saurashtra. This deity is accompanied by Mahakali.

The story of Ranak Devi in short is this: she was the queen of Ra Khenga and stayed at the formidable fort “Uparkot” of Junagadh. When Solanki king attacked Uparkot, the king and his two sons died in that very day. The queen fled by a hidden tunnel with her husband’s head so that she can be a suttee to Vadhwan, some 261 Kilimeters away.

When she reached Vadhwan, she asked the villagers to help her to be cremated alive with her ‘husband’. But the villagers denied helping the queen. Next Ranak Devi asked for help from the river Vagwa, on the bank of which the village is situated. The river did not respond. The queen cursed the river that it would carry no water. People believe that the river is dry throughout the year because of this curse. Finally Goddess Mahakali helped her to be burnt alive with her husband by turning the queen’s despair and rage into fire.

The temple is of red stone and was built in the 10^th century with exquisite carvings on the wall.

The architectural style is interesting. It is not as seen in Rajsthan or Gujrat, the solanki style’, rather it is Rathadeul type of Orissa. It really can be a challenge to the students of architecture, how such a structure could be constructed at this place is a mystery to many. Is it that the architects were hired from Orissa or Bengal? No one really knows. 

The temple and its sculptures are breathtaking. The height is about 10 meters from ground. Though much is lost or broken with time, still the sculptures that stood the test of time is intricate and beautiful, and is a pleasure to the eyes. Once there was a porch, but it was broken down much earlier. In short it is a temple with a story to tell.

A temple with a mysterious beauty and a sad story!

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