Markanda Temples

Hemadpanthi temple group on the Wainganga — ‘Mini Khajuraho of Vidarbha’.

दर्शन महत्व: Off Maharashtra’s usual circuits; carved panels reward slow looking.

यात्रा का सर्वश्रेष्ठ समय: Oct–Feb

History

The Markanda temple group on the Wainganga in Gadchiroli is a Hemadpanti cluster often called the Mini Khajuraho of Vidarbha. Markandeshwar is the principal Shiva shrine, with narrative panels still readable on the walls.

Legends

• Sage Markandeya’s devotion to Shiva — who saved him from Yama — is the name-giving lore of this kshetra.