Meera Bai Temple Chittorgarh is one of the religious places to see in Chittaurgarh. The temple was constructed during the rule of Maharana Kumbha, the Rajput king. It was dedicated to Mira Bai, one of the prominent participants in the Bhakti Cult movement.
The temple was constructed in the archetypal Rajput architecture. The structure lies on an elevated plinth that is typical of the North Indian architecture. The dome of the temple is embellished with a structure of 5 human bodies with a single head. The human bodies symbolize the four castes of the Hindu religion or the Varnas and the 5th caste of the Harijan. The single head symbolizes the faith in God, who can be equally realized by all. Above the chief sanctum rises the conical roof of the temple.
The sanctum sanctorum of the temple comprises of the paintings of Lord Krishna. Paintings of Mira Bai offering prayers to the Lord are also placed in the inner sanctum. Four pavilions extend from the inner sanctum into the colonnade. The small chhatri found in the temple’s forecourt is dedicated to the mentor of Mira Bai, Swami Ravidas. He hailed from Varanasi and belonged to the Harijan caste. The floor lying underneath the shrine carries the footmarks of the saint.
The tourists visiting the Meerabai Temple in Chittorgarh are advised to open their shoes outside the temple before walking into the sanctum.
History of Meera Temple :
Meera Temple came into being at the time of Rana Kumbha’s rule who was a firm supporter of Hinduism. He constructed many hindu temples, out of which Meera Bai is eminent of all. She was a Raput princess and madly in love with Lord Krishna. She committed her whole life to Lord Krishna. Even, it is said that Krishna saved her life by drinking the poison as a consequent his entire body turned blue.
Description of Meera Temple :
There is a carved statue of five human bodies and one head outside the Meera Bait temple. It connotes the power of tolerance and suggests people of all the castes and creeds are same. The Mira Bai temple is placed on the same grounds of the Kumbha Shyam and is built in an Indo Aryan style. The temple shares its immediacy with Fateh Prakash Palace. Unlike other temples, this is the only one temple which is saved from the mallet of the barbarians.
How To Reach MeeraBai Temple, Chittorgarh
By Road : MeeraBai Temple is located in the Chittorgarh Fort at a distance of 5 km from centre of Chittorgarh on Fort Rd. One can easily reach here by rickshaw, local bus or taxi or by walk.
By Rail : MeeraBai Temple is well connected through nearest Chittorgarh Railway station (6 km) to major cities railway stations like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, Bikaner, Pali, Jaipur, Ahmedabad.
By Air : MeeraBai Temple can be reach through nearest Udaipur airport (98 km) which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Mumbai.
