Arang

Arang
Bhand Dewal Temple
Country	India

Arang, also known as "The town of temples" of Chhattisgarh, is a block and a

Economic activity in the town is mostly related to small scale industries of rice and pulse mills, and many types of forest products. Religious tourism is receiving attention.

History

The name Arang is formed of two words "ara" meaning "

An archaeological antiquary in the form a copper plate inscription dated to the Gupta period, known as the Arang Plate of Bhimasena II of the clan of Rajarsitulya was unearthed at Arang. It attests to the reign of this dynasty over Chhattisgarh, particularly of Bhimasena II and five rulers who preceded him. It is inferred that they were vassals of the Gupta Empire.^[5]

Archaeological finds in Arang also included few Jain images made of gem stones, which are now preserved in the Digambar Jain temple at Raipur.^[6]

Another historical legend attributed to Arang in particular, and Chhattisgarh in general, relates to the princess Chandini and her lover Lorik. This legend is in the form of folk-poetry which is widely sung in the state. A memorial statue in their honour exists near Arang.^[7]

Geography and climate

Arang, a prosperous ancient town, known for its many

As of 2001[update] India census,^[13] Arang had a population of 16,593. Males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. Arang had an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 60% of the males and 40% of females literate. 16% of the population is under 6 years of age.^[13] As of 2011, the population reported was 19,091, an increase of 1.3% over the 2001 figure, which gives a density figure of 812.7/km² over the Nagar Panchayat area of 23.49 square kilometres (9.07 sq mi).^[14]

Economy

Economic activity is in the form of small scale industries of rice and pulses mills.^[15] It is a commercial town where various types of forest products are marketed in Earlier Days.^[16]

Arang is one of the three locations chosen for community development in its Chandkhuri development block.^[17]

Temples

Arang has many Jain and Hindu temples that are dated to the 11th and 12th centuries. Archaeological excavations carried out in the town has confirmed the town's ancient history as a Hindu and Jain religious centre, which prospered under the rule of Hindu kings.^[3]

The ancient temples in Arang, which are tourist attractions are: the Mand deval temple, the Mahamaya temple, the Danteshwari temple, the Chandi Maheshwari temple, the Panchmukhi Mahadev temple, and the Panchmukhi Hanuman temple. Of these, the Mand Dewal temple and Bagh Deval temple are particularly ancient and well-known.^[3]

Bhand Dewal temple

Bhand Dewal temple, a Jain temple dated to the late eleventh century, is in the Mahakosala area of Arang. It is built in the Bhumija style of architecture.^[18] The plinth of this temple has detailed ornamentation. It has a socle plinth that supports a pedestal, and two rows of sculptures on the wall. The temple layout plan is in a star shape known as stellate (meaning: shaped like a star, having points, or rays radiating from a center) with six "offsets". The temple rises to five floors, which is considered an unusual feature.^[8][18][19]

The temple faces west and is in rundown condition. In the past, a

Bhand Deval temple

Bhand Deval temple, which was inferred initially as a Jain temple, is dated to the 11th century. It has similar architectural features as the Khajuraho temple.^[21]

See also

• Vallabhacharya
  is nearby.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Alexander Cunningham (1884). Report of a Tour in the Central Provinces and Lower Gangetic Doab in 1881-82. p. 74.
2. ^ ^{a b} Garg 1992, p. 578.
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Provinces 1909, p. 259.
4. ^ Surjan & Verma 1996, p. 18.
5. ^ Misra 2003, p. 8.
6. ^ Madhya Pradesh (India); V. S. Krishnan (1973). Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteers: Dewas. Government Central Press.
7. ^ Dube, S. C. (1947). "Field Songs Of Chhattisgarh". The Universal Publishers Ltd.
8. ^ ^{a b} "Chhattisgarh State". Rotary Club.
9. ^ Andhra Historical Research Society (1930). Journal of the Andhra Historical Society. Rajahmundry, Madras: Andhra Historical Research Society.
10. ^ "Arang". Falling Rain Genomics, Inc.
11. ^ "Closest Airport to Arang". Closestairportto.com. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
12. ^ ^{a b} "Climate: Arang". Climate-Data Organization. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
13. ^ ^{a b} "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Arang. Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
14. ^ "ARANG (Raipur)". City Population Organization.
15. ISBN 978-81-7482-934-4
    .
16. ISBN 978-81-250-0824-8
    .
17. ^ Pradesh 1964, p. 59.
18. ^ ^{a b} Jain 1972, p. 446.
19. ^ ^{a b c} Beglar, Joseph David (1873). "Three sculptures of Jain tirthankaras in the Bhand Dewal Temple, Arang". On Line Gallery British Library.
20. ^ "Ganesh au Chhattisgarh". Ganesh, dieu de l'hindouisme.
21. ISBN 9788190073318
    .

Bibliography

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Arang.

• Garg, Gaṅgā Rām (1992). Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World. Concept Publishing Company.
  ISBN 978-81-7022-376-4
  .
• Jain, Kailash Chand (1972). Malwa Through the Ages, from the Earliest Times to 1305 A.D. Motilal Banarsidass.
  ISBN 978-81-208-0824-9
  .
• Kumar, Brajesh (2003). Pilgrimage Centres of India. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.
  ISBN 978-81-7182-185-3
  .
• Misra, Om Prakash (2003). Archaeological Excavations in Central India: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Mittal Publications.
  ISBN 978-81-7099-874-7
  .
• Pradesh, India (Republic). Superintendent of Census Operations, Madhya (1964). District Census Handbook, Madhya Pradesh, Census of India, 1961. Government of Madhya Pradesh.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Provinces, Central (1909). Raipur district. Printed at the Pioneer Press.
• Surjan, Lalit; Verma, Vinod (1996). Reference Deśabandhu Madhya Pradesh. Deshbandhu Publication Division.
  ISBN 9788190073318
  .