Kharod (Lakhneshwar) is a small temple town in Janjgir-Champa district of Chhattisgarh, built around the Lakhneshwar Mahadev temple and long known as the “Kashi of Chhattisgarh” for its cluster of old Shiva shrines. This guide pulls together what is actually documented about the place from the Archaeological Survey of India, archaeological research and official tourism sources, so you can plan a calm, well-oriented day here.
Kharod is a temple town in Janjgir-Champa district, Chhattisgarh, centred on the Lakhneshwar Mahadev (Shiva) temple and often called the “Kashi of Chhattisgarh” for its concentration of old shrines. It lies about 5 km from the pilgrimage town of Shivrinarayan, and its Indal Deul and Shabari temples are dated by scholars to roughly the 7th century CE.
Key takeaways
- Kharod, in Janjgir-Champa district, Chhattisgarh, is nicknamed the “Kashi of Chhattisgarh” for its concentration of Shiva temples and a Shaiva math, according to archaeological writing citing early surveys.
- The Lakshmaneshwar (Lakhneshwar) Mahadev temple is a Chhattisgarh state-protected monument (ASI reference S-CT-32); by local tradition its Shivling is pierced with a lakh (100,000) tiny holes, which is legend rather than documented history.
- Two other Kharod temples, the Indal Deul (Andaldeo) and the brick Shabari temple, are ASI Monuments of National Importance (N-CT-23 and N-CT-22) and are assigned by scholars to about the 7th century CE.
- The nearest airport is Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur; indicative road distances are about 5 km to Shivrinarayan, 36 km to Janjgir and 61 km to Bilaspur.
- Plan your visit in the cooler October-to-February window; the nearby Shivrinarayan Mela runs from Magh Purnima to Mahashivratri (about 15 days in January-February), with free entry, per Incredible India.
About Kharod: quick facts and the name
Kharod is a nagar panchayat (small town) in Janjgir-Champa district of Chhattisgarh, in the Mahanadi plains of the state’s north-east. Wikipedia places it near 21.75°N, 82.57°E at an average elevation of about 240 m (790 ft). It is distinct from the larger town of Shivrinarayan, a separate pilgrimage centre about 5 km away at the Mahanadi confluence.
The town is historically called “Chhattisgarh ki Kashi,” the Kashi of Chhattisgarh. According to the archaeology resource Puratattva, which draws on early surveys by Beglar and Longhurst and on epigraphs, the nickname comes from the dense gathering of Shiva temples and a Shaiva math (monastic centre) here.
Two origin stories attach to the name. Puratattva records that the town was earlier called Indrapur, founded by the ruler Indrabala, who built a Shiva temple; a separate legend noted by Beglar in 1873-74 ties “Kharod” to Khara and Dushana, demons of the Ramayana. The legend is tradition, not dated history. The earliest inscription here is linked to the Panduvamshis of Kosala, which places the settlement’s antiquity in the sixth century CE.
| Location | Janjgir-Champa district, Chhattisgarh |
|---|---|
| Coordinates / elevation | About 21.75°N, 82.57°E; about 240 m (per Wikipedia) |
| Known for | Lakhneshwar Mahadev temple; “Kashi of Chhattisgarh” |
| Protected monuments | Lakshmaneshwar temple (state, S-CT-32); Indal Deul and Shabari temple (national, N-CT-23, N-CT-22) |
| Nearest pilgrim town | Shivrinarayan, about 5 km (indicative) |
The Lakhneshwar Mahadev temple
The Lakhneshwar (Lakshmaneshwar) Mahadev temple is Kharod’s central Shiva shrine and a Chhattisgarh state-protected monument, listed in the Archaeological Survey of India’s state list as S-CT-32. It stands in the heart of the town and is the focus of worship and of the town’s “Kashi” reputation.
The name itself carries two traditions, both recorded by Puratattva. One holds that Lakshmana worshipped a linga here; another says he installed one lakh (100,000) lingas, so that “Lakshalinga” was corrupted over time into “Lakhneshwar.” By local belief the main Shivling is pierced with a lakh small holes, and one of them, the Akshaya-kund, is said to always hold water. These are devotional traditions rather than documented facts, and the guide reports them as legend.
What is better documented is the temple’s long history of repair and extension. A Kalachuri inscription dated Kalachuri Era 933, corresponding to 1181-82 CE, gives the dynasty’s genealogy and records that a minister of king Ratnadeva III extended the temple with mandapas (pillared halls). The temple has since been heavily repaired and reconstructed; the early-20th-century surveyor Longhurst noted it was whitewashed every few years, and a high wall now screens much of it except the shikhara (tower).
Inside, the mandapa pillars carry carvings of Ardhanarishwar (the half-Shiva, half-Parvati form), Varaha and Trivikrama (Vishnu avatars) and scenes from the Ramayana, while the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna flank the garbha-griha (sanctum) doorway. An older copper naga (serpent) over the linga was recorded by Longhurst. If you read Chhattisgarh’s temple history, the Lakhneshwar is one of the clearest examples of a shrine reworked across the Panduvamshi and Kalachuri periods.
Indal Deul, the Shabari temple and other shrines
Kharod’s two nationally protected temples, the Indal Deul and the brick Shabari temple, are its oldest standing structures and the reason the town matters to architectural historians. Both are ASI Monuments of National Importance and both are assigned by scholars to roughly the 7th century CE.
The Indal Deul (also written Andal Deul or Andaldeo; ASI N-CT-23) is dated by art historians such as Krishna Deva and Stadtner to about 650-675 CE. It faces west, stands on a stone platform, and has brick walls with a stone doorway built on a sapta-ratha (seven-offset) stellar plan. Its tower is lost above about three storeys. The doorway shows Ganga on a makara (a composite river creature) and Yamuna on a tortoise, with Shiva and Parvati on the lintel; the walls carry Durga, Surya, Ganesha and Kubera.
The Shabari temple (ASI N-CT-22), dedicated to Shabari of the Ramayana, is dated to the late 7th or early 8th century CE. It is built almost entirely of brick, apart from a stone platform, doorframe and amalaka (the ribbed crowning stone), faces east, follows the same sapta-ratha stellar plan, and stands beside an old tank. Its mandapa is a modern reconstruction, probably after 1904; Longhurst recorded in 1907-08 that earlier repairs had been poorly done. Several smaller shrines are scattered through the town, which is what gives Kharod its temple-town character.
| Temple | Protection / ASI reference | Scholarly dating | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakhneshwar (Lakshmaneshwar) Mahadev | State protected (S-CT-32) | Panduvamshi origin; extended 1181-82 CE | Living Shiva temple; main town shrine |
| Indal Deul (Andaldeo) | National (N-CT-23) | About 650-675 CE | Brick-and-stone, sapta-ratha plan |
| Shabari temple | National (N-CT-22) | Late 7th-early 8th century CE | Brick temple by an old tank |
Best time to visit Kharod (Lakhneshwar)
The most comfortable months to visit Kharod are the cooler October-to-February window, when Chhattisgarh’s plains are dry and pleasant for walking between temples. Summers (April-June) are hot in this part of the state, and the monsoon (roughly late June-September) brings humidity and rain, so an early-morning visit is wiser then.
The biggest event in the immediate area is the nearby Shivrinarayan Mela. According to Incredible India, the fair is held in Shivrinarayan town, Janjgir-Champa, from Magh Purnima to Mahashivratri, for about 15 days in January-February, with free entry; the 2026 edition was listed as 1-15 February. If you want the temples quiet, avoid the mela fortnight; if you want the atmosphere, go during it and expect crowds and advance-booked lodging.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | October-February | Dry and comfortable; best for temple walks; mela fortnight falls here |
| Summer | March-June | Hot plains; visit early morning or late afternoon |
| Monsoon | July-September | Humid with rain spells; greenery but slippery stone steps |
How to reach Kharod
The nearest airport to Kharod is Swami Vivekananda Airport at Raipur (code RPR), the Chhattisgarh capital, with the nearest railheads at Janjgir and Champa on the main line, and the town reached from there by road. The road distances below are indicative planning figures drawn from travel references rather than an official distance table, so reconfirm with a map before you drive.
By rail, Janjgir and Champa (the two towns that name the district) sit on the Howrah-Nagpur-Mumbai trunk line and are the practical arrival points; a travel reference names Janjgir, about 36 km away, as the nearest station. From Raipur or Bilaspur you can hire a taxi for the day. There is no airport at Kharod itself, and local public transport is limited, so a hired car or two-wheeler is the simplest way to link the Kharod and Shivrinarayan temples.
| Mode | Nearest point | Distance (indicative) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur | Reconfirm (plan ~2-3 hr by road) | State’s main airport; hire a taxi onward |
| Rail | Janjgir / Champa stations | About 36 km (Janjgir) | On the Howrah-Mumbai line; taxi onward |
| Road | Bilaspur | About 61 km | Day-trip base; taxi or bus |
| Road | Shivrinarayan | About 5 km | Combine both temple towns in one trip |
Things to see and a half-day plan
Kharod is a compact, walkable temple town, so a half-day covers it comfortably, with the rest of the day for Shivrinarayan next door. The three standout stops are the living Lakhneshwar Mahadev temple and the two ancient ASI temples, the Indal Deul and the Shabari temple, all within the town.
- Morning: Start at the Lakhneshwar Mahadev temple for darshan and to see the carved mandapa pillars and sanctum doorway.
- Late morning: Walk to the Indal Deul and the brick Shabari temple to study the 7th-century stellar plans and surviving sculpture; allow extra time if you photograph architecture.
- Afternoon: Drive about 5 km to Shivrinarayan for its river-confluence temples before returning.
| Spot | Type | Time needed | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakhneshwar Mahadev temple | Living Shiva temple | 45-60 min | Main shrine; busiest on Mondays and Shivratri |
| Indal Deul (Andaldeo) | ASI national monument | 20-30 min | 7th-century brick-and-stone temple |
| Shabari temple | ASI national monument | 20-30 min | Brick temple beside an old tank |
Where to stay
Kharod itself has only basic lodging, so most visitors stay at a nearby town and make a day trip. Bilaspur (about 61 km) offers the widest choice of hotels; Janjgir and Champa have simpler options closer by, and Raipur is the fallback for mid-range and business hotels.
The ranges below are indicative planning estimates as of November 2026 and should be reconfirmed when you book, especially during the Shivrinarayan Mela fortnight when rooms and dharamshalas fill well ahead. For a broader base and more choice, many travellers pair this stop with a wider Chhattisgarh travel guide itinerary.
| Type | Indicative price band | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / dharamshala | About ₹600-1,200 | Kharod, Janjgir, Champa |
| Mid-range hotel | About ₹1,500-3,000 | Bilaspur, Raipur |
| Upper / business | About ₹3,500 and up | Raipur |
Food to try
Expect simple Chhattisgarhi and north-Indian vegetarian food around the temples rather than a restaurant scene. Near the shrines you will mostly find tea stalls, snacks and basic thalis; carry water and plan a proper meal in Bilaspur or Raipur.
If you find them locally, regional dishes worth trying include chila (a savoury rice-and-lentil pancake), fara (steamed rice dumplings) and bara (fried lentil cakes). These are everyday Chhattisgarhi preparations rather than Kharod specialities, so availability varies.
Budget for the trip
A visit to Kharod is inexpensive because the temples charge no entry fee and the town is small. Your main costs are transport to and around the area and a night’s stay at a nearby base. The table below is an indicative planning estimate per person for a one-night trip, as of November 2026; treat it as a band and reconfirm live prices.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night) | About ₹700-1,500 | Shared budget/mid room, nearby town |
| Local transport | About ₹800-1,500 | Shared taxi for Kharod + Shivrinarayan |
| Food | About ₹300-500 | Thalis, snacks, tea |
| Temple entry | ₹0 | No ticket at the temples |
| Total (approx.) | About ₹1,800-3,500 | Excludes travel from your home city |
Permits, photography and temple etiquette
No special permit is needed to visit Kharod: it is an open temple town in a general-access part of Chhattisgarh, with no Inner Line Permit or protected-area clearance required. The ASI-protected temples are open-air monuments without a ticketed gate at the time of writing, though this can change at state-protected sites, so reconfirm locally.
Dress modestly for the living Lakhneshwar temple, remove footwear before entering the sanctum area, and ask before photographing people or inside shrines. At ASI monuments, avoid climbing on or touching carvings. Drone use at or over protected monuments typically needs permission; do not assume it is allowed, and check with the authorities before flying.
Practical tips
- Connectivity and cash: Mobile coverage is generally available in the towns; carry some cash for small shops and offerings, as UPI and card acceptance can be patchy at stalls.
- Health: The nearest well-equipped hospitals are in Bilaspur and Janjgir; carry basic medicines, sunscreen and water, especially in summer.
- Getting around: A hired car or two-wheeler is the easiest way to link Kharod and Shivrinarayan; local buses are infrequent.
- Timing: Visit early to avoid the midday heat and to see the temples quietly; Mondays and Shivratri are busier at the Shiva temple.
- Solo and women travellers: The temple towns are small and routine to visit by day; as anywhere, plan road travel to finish before dark given limited night transport.
- Respect the community: These are active places of worship and lived-in towns, not an attraction set-piece, so keep a low footprint.
Nearby places
Kharod pairs naturally with Shivrinarayan and the district’s other old temples, all within an easy drive. The distances below are indicative; confirm routes on a map.
| Place | Distance (indicative) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Shivrinarayan | About 5 km | River-confluence pilgrimage town; Kesava Narayan and Shivrinarayan temples (ASI N-CT-26, N-CT-27); site of the Shivrinarayan Mela |
| Janjgir | About 36 km | Vishnu temples protected by the ASI (N-CT-20, N-CT-21) |
| Bilaspur | About 61 km | Nearest large city; hotels, transport and onward links across Chhattisgarh |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kharod and why is it called the Kashi of Chhattisgarh?
Kharod is a small temple town in Janjgir-Champa district, Chhattisgarh, near 21.75°N, 82.57°E and about 5 km from Shivrinarayan. It is called the “Kashi of Chhattisgarh” because of its unusual concentration of Shiva temples and a Shaiva math, a description that goes back to early archaeological surveys of the site.
Is the Lakhneshwar temple an ASI monument?
The Lakshmaneshwar (Lakhneshwar) Mahadev temple is a Chhattisgarh state-protected monument, listed in the Archaeological Survey of India’s state list as S-CT-32. Two other Kharod temples, the Indal Deul and the brick Shabari temple, hold the higher status of ASI Monuments of National Importance (references N-CT-23 and N-CT-22 respectively).
Does the Lakhneshwar Shivling really have a lakh holes?
The claim that the Lakhneshwar Shivling has a lakh (100,000) small holes, one of which always holds water, is a devotional tradition rather than a documented fact. Local legend also links the name to Lakshmana installing a lakh lingas. Treat these as faith accounts; what is dated is the temple’s extension in 1181-82 CE under the Kalachuris.
How do I reach Kharod by train or air?
The nearest airport is Swami Vivekananda Airport at Raipur, and the nearest railheads are Janjgir and Champa on the Howrah-Mumbai main line, with Janjgir roughly 36 km away. From the station or airport, hire a taxi; local buses are limited. There is no airport or major station in Kharod itself, so plan the last leg by road.
How much time do I need in Kharod?
Half a day is enough for Kharod itself: about an hour at the Lakhneshwar Mahadev temple and 20-30 minutes each at the Indal Deul and Shabari temples. Pair it with nearby Shivrinarayan, about 5 km away, to fill a comfortable full day of temple visits in the district.
When is the Shivrinarayan Mela and is Kharod crowded then?
According to Incredible India, the Shivrinarayan Mela runs from Magh Purnima to Mahashivratri, for about 15 days in January-February, with free entry; the 2026 edition was listed as 1-15 February. Kharod is close enough that lodging across the area fills up during the fair, so book ahead or visit outside the fortnight for quieter temples.
Last updated and sources
Kharod suits travellers drawn to temple architecture and quiet pilgrimage rather than facilities; go in the cool October-to-February months, and pair it with Shivrinarayan for a full day.
Last updated: 2 November 2026. Fees, timings and permits change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Archaeological Survey of India lists of Monuments of National Importance and State Protected Monuments in Chhattisgarh (via Wikipedia compilations, national and state); Puratattva, “Kharod – The Village of Khara-Dushana” (citing Beglar, Longhurst, Krishna Deva and Stadtner and local epigraphs); Incredible India, Shivrinarayan Mela; Wikipedia, Kharod (location and elevation); and Chhattisgarhpedia (indicative distances and access). Accessed September 2026.
