If you have searched for the Nohta Chaumukhnath Temple, the monument you are almost certainly looking for is the Nohleshwar Temple at Nohta, in Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh — a Kalachuri-era Shiva temple that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protects as a monument of national importance (ASI number N-MP-38). The name “Chaumukh Nath” more properly belongs to a separate temple at Nachna in Panna district, so it is worth being clear about which site you mean before you set out.
The Nohta temple — officially the Nohta (Mahadeva) or Nohleshwar Temple — is a tenth-century Nagara-style Shiva shrine in Nohta village, about 21–24 km from Damoh town in Madhya Pradesh. Entry is free, it stands on the Damoh–Jabalpur highway, and the comfortable months to visit are October to March.
Key takeaways
- The Nohta (Mahadeva) or Nohleshwar Temple is a Kalachuri-era Shiva temple in Nohta, Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, listed by the ASI as monument of national importance N-MP-38.
- Scholars date the temple broadly to the Kalachuri period; Krishna Deva placed it at about 950–960 CE, while J. F. Blakiston read it as twelfth-century — no inscription naming its builder survives.
- Nohta is roughly 21–24 km from Damoh town; the nearest railway station is Damoh (on the Bina–Katni line) and the nearest airport is Jabalpur, about 110 km away (as of October 2026).
- Entry is free and the complex is open about 5 am to 9 pm, according to Outlook Traveller’s Damoh itinerary — reconfirm locally as hours can change.
- The Nohleshwar Mahotsav, a state-run cultural fair, is usually held in late February or early March; the next edition is listed for 2–6 March 2027 by Incredible India.
- The temple was found in ruins by Henry Cousens in December 1893 and later rebuilt; the shikhara (spire) seen today is largely a reconstruction from fallen stones.
About the Nohta Chaumukhnath Temple (Nohleshwar)
The Nohta temple, in Nohta village of Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, is a stone Shiva temple that the ASI lists as the Nohta (Mahadeva) Temple, number N-MP-38, and that is widely known locally as the Nohleshwar (or Nohaleshwar) Temple. It stands a little south of the village, on the eastern side of the river, and is the only old temple at Nohta still standing.
Dating is debated. According to the Puratattva survey of the site, Krishna Deva dated the temple to about 950–960 CE and noted there is no inscription naming its founder, while Blakiston read it as twelfth-century; a local tradition links it to Queen Nohala of the Kalachuri king Yuvarajadeva I. English Wikipedia credits Yuvarajadeva I, built under the influence of his queen Nohala. Treat the builder as uncertain and the period as Kalachuri.
The town’s sanctity comes partly from water: Nohta sits where the Sunar (also recorded as the Vyarma/Bearma) and the Guraiya rivers meet, a confluence (sangam) in local belief. Many loose Hindu and Jain sculptures have been found around Nohta, and the Puratattva survey notes the village was likely a Jain centre in the past, though the standing temple itself is Shaiva.
For wider context on the region, see our Madhya Pradesh travel guide, which places Damoh within the state’s Bundelkhand belt and its temple circuits.
Best time to visit Nohta
The best time to visit the Nohta temple is October to March, when central Madhya Pradesh is dry and mild; Outlook Traveller recommends these months for Damoh as “pleasant and ideal for exploring outdoor attractions.” Summers here are long and hot, and the monsoon brings the surrounding streams and waterfalls to life.
| Season | Months | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | October–March | Dry, mild days and cool mornings | Temple visits, day trips, the Nohleshwar Mahotsav (Feb–Mar) |
| Summer | April–June | Hot, dry heat typical of Bundelkhand | Early-morning visits only; carry water |
| Monsoon | July–September | Rain, green surroundings, flowing streams | Nearby Nidan waterfall; roads can be patchy |
If you want to pair the trip with the local fair, aim for late February or early March. The Nohleshwar Mahotsav is organised by the Madhya Pradesh Department of Culture with the Damoh district administration; Incredible India lists the next edition for 2–6 March 2027 at the temple complex on the Damoh–Jabalpur highway.
How to reach Nohta
The simplest way to reach Nohta is to base yourself in Damoh town, about 21–24 km away, and drive out by taxi or auto-rickshaw. Nohta lies on the Damoh–Jabalpur highway, so it is an easy half-day run. The nearest railway station is Damoh, on the Bina–Katni line, and the nearest airport is Jabalpur, about 110 km away (as of October 2026, per Outlook Traveller).
| Mode | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Jabalpur Airport (~110 km from Damoh) | Nearest airport; hire a cab or take a train onward to Damoh |
| Rail | Damoh station (code DMO), on the Bina–Katni route | Then ~21–24 km by road to Nohta |
| Road | Damoh bus stand connects to Sagar, Jabalpur, Katni, Panna and Bhopal | Nohta is on the Damoh–Jabalpur highway |
| Local | Auto-rickshaws and private cabs in Damoh | Agree the fare before you start; no fixed meter |
Travellers coming from the state capital can plan the leg to Damoh using our Bhopal travel guide; from Bhopal the usual route is by road or rail via Sagar. Trains to Damoh are frequent because it sits on a busy junction line, so rail is often the most reliable approach.
What to see at the temple
What stands out at Nohta is the carving: this is a compact but richly sculpted Nagara-style temple, built on a low platform and facing west, with a sequence of porch, pillared hall, vestibule and sanctum. A Shivalinga is installed in the sanctum (garbha-griha). Give yourself about an hour to walk slowly around the base and read the panels.
According to the Puratattva survey, the temple’s vimana (the tower-and-sanctum unit) is pancha-ratha in plan — stepped out in five vertical offsets — and its walls carry two registers of niches. The sculpture programme is strongly Shaiva: look for Shiva as Nataraja (the cosmic dancer), Vinadhara (holding the vina) and Gajantaka, along with Surya, Parvati, the Sapta-Matrikas (seven mother goddesses) and the ashta-dikpalas (guardians of the eight directions). The doorways have five decorated bands (shakhas), with the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna on their mounts at the jambs.
One honest caveat: the spire you see is not wholly original. The Puratattva survey notes the shikhara was rebuilt “from fallen pieces and debris,” which is why some elements sit a little awkwardly. That restoration is itself part of the story — the temple had collapsed before the ASI stepped in.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deity | Shiva (Shivalinga in the sanctum) |
| Style and plan | Nagara; pancha-ratha vimana, west-facing, on a low platform |
| Entry fee | Free (per Outlook Traveller; reconfirm) |
| Open | About 5 am–9 pm (per Outlook Traveller; reconfirm) |
| Time needed | About 1 hour |
| Managed by | Archaeological Survey of India (N-MP-38) |
A suggested itinerary
A single full day from Damoh is enough to see Nohta well and add a couple of nearby sites. Here is a simple plan that keeps driving short:
- Morning: Leave Damoh early, drive ~21–24 km to Nohta, and spend about an hour at the Nohleshwar Temple while the light is soft and the carvings read clearly.
- Late morning: Return towards Damoh and stop at Bandakpur (about 17 km from Damoh) for the Jageshwarnath Shiva temple, a busy local pilgrimage stop.
- Afternoon: Visit the Kundalpur Jain complex (about 32–35 km from Damoh), a cluster of dozens of temples centred on the Bade Baba (Adinath) shrine.
- Monsoon option: If you travel in or just after the rains, swap one stop for the Nidan waterfall (about 25 km from Damoh), which is seasonal.
With a second day, add the Ghughua Fossil Park (about 45 km from Damoh) or the historical fort country around Singorgarh associated with Rani Durgavati.
Where to stay
There is no tourist-grade hotel at Nohta itself, so stay in Damoh town and make Nohta a day trip. Damoh has modest budget and mid-range hotels and guesthouses clustered near the bus stand and the main roads; it is a district town rather than a resort destination, so set expectations accordingly.
The bands below are planning estimates only — Damoh tariffs are not published on a single official portal, so reconfirm when you book.
| Type | Indicative tariff / night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹800–1,800 | Simple guesthouses and lodges near the bus stand |
| Mid-range | ₹2,000–3,500 | Business-style hotels with hot water and parking |
| Upper / nearest city | ₹3,500+ | Wider choice in Jabalpur (~110 km) if you want more comfort |
If you prefer a fuller range of hotels, stay in Jabalpur and run Damoh and Nohta as a long day trip, or split the drive. Book ahead during the Nohleshwar Mahotsav in late February or early March, when Damoh fills up.
Food to try
Expect simple Bundelkhandi and Madhya Pradesh vegetarian food rather than fine dining. Around Damoh you will find the usual MP staples and a few regional dishes worth trying:
- Poha-jalebi (flattened-rice breakfast with a sweet fried spiral) — the classic Madhya Pradesh morning plate.
- Bafla (baked wheat dough balls dipped in ghee, eaten with dal) — a Malwa–Bundelkhand favourite.
- Bhutte ka kees (grated corn cooked with milk and spices) — common in the state’s kitchens.
- Local sweets such as mawa-based barfi from town halwais (sweet shops).
Carry water and snacks for the Nohta leg itself, as the village has only basic shops. There are no sit-down restaurants at the temple.
Budget breakdown
A day trip to Nohta is inexpensive because the temple is free and the distances are short. The table below is a per-person planning estimate for one day based in Damoh, assuming two people share a taxi; it is indicative only and should be reconfirmed locally.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Temple entry | Free | No ticket at Nohta (reconfirm) |
| Taxi/auto, shared | ₹400–800 | Damoh–Nohta return split between two; agree fare first |
| Food and water | ₹150–300 | Breakfast, lunch, snacks |
| Budget hotel (per head) | ₹400–900 | Double room shared |
| Rough total / day | ₹950–2,000 | Excludes long-distance travel to Damoh |
Adding Kundalpur, Bandakpur and a waterfall stop mostly raises the taxi cost, not the entry fees, since those sites are also free (Ghughua Fossil Park charges about ₹50 per person).
Permits, photography and rules
No permit or Inner Line Permit is needed to visit Nohta — it is an open ASI monument in a normally accessible district, not a restricted zone. As at other ASI sites, treat the carvings gently: do not climb the structure, touch the sculptures, or chalk or scratch anything.
Still photography for personal use is generally allowed at ASI monuments; commercial filming and tripods usually need prior ASI permission, and drones require separate clearance under India’s drone rules. Because this is a living Shiva temple with active worship, dress modestly, remove footwear where asked, and be considerate during any puja (worship). Reconfirm current rules with the on-site caretaker.
Practical tips
Nohta is a village visit, so plan for limited services and carry what you need. A few practical notes:
- Cash and UPI: Carry some cash for autos and small shops; ATMs and card use are reliable in Damoh town, less so in the village.
- Mobile network: Coverage is adequate along the highway but can be patchy; download offline maps before you leave Damoh.
- Health: The nearest full hospital facilities are in Damoh town — carry basic medicines, as the village has only small clinics.
- Timing: Visit early for soft light on the sandstone and to avoid the midday heat outside winter.
- Solo and women travellers: Damoh is a quiet district town; keep to daylight for the Nohta run and use a known taxi.
- Packing: Sun hat and water in summer; a light layer for winter mornings; sturdy sandals for uneven ground.
Nearby places
The best reason to combine Nohta with other stops is that Damoh district packs several temples and a fossil park within an easy radius. Distances below are from Damoh town (as of October 2026).
| Place | Distance from Damoh | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Jatashankar temple | ~4 km | Shiva temple with a stream and a natural cave |
| Bandakpur (Jageshwarnath) | ~17 km | Popular Shiva pilgrimage temple |
| Nidan waterfall | ~25 km | Seasonal falls, best in or just after the monsoon |
| Kundalpur Jain complex | ~32–35 km | Dozens of Jain temples around the Bade Baba (Adinath) shrine |
| Ghughua Fossil Park | ~45 km | Plant fossils; entry about ₹50 per person |
For planning a longer loop across the state’s temples, forts and parks, our Madhya Pradesh travel guide sets out the main regions and how they link up.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nohta Chaumukhnath Temple the same as the Nohleshwar Temple?
The Nohta temple that most people searching for “Chaumukhnath” want is the Nohleshwar (Nohta Mahadeva) Temple in Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh — a Kalachuri-era Shiva temple protected by the ASI as N-MP-38. The actual Chaumukh Nath temple is a different site, at Nachna in Panna district.
How old is the Nohta temple and who built it?
The Nohta temple is from the Kalachuri period. The scholar Krishna Deva dated it to about 950–960 CE, while J. F. Blakiston read it as twelfth-century, and no inscription naming the builder survives. A local tradition links it to Queen Nohala of the Kalachuri king Yuvarajadeva I.
How do I reach the Nohta temple?
Reach the Nohta temple by basing yourself in Damoh, about 21–24 km away, and driving out by taxi or auto on the Damoh–Jabalpur highway. The nearest railway station is Damoh on the Bina–Katni line, and the nearest airport is Jabalpur, roughly 110 km away (as of October 2026).
Is there an entry fee at the Nohta temple?
Entry to the Nohta (Nohleshwar) Temple is free, according to Outlook Traveller’s Damoh itinerary, which lists the complex as open about 5 am to 9 pm. As timings at ASI and temple sites can change, reconfirm the current hours locally before you travel.
What is the best time to visit Nohta?
The best time to visit Nohta is October to March, when central Madhya Pradesh is dry and mild. If you want to catch the Nohleshwar Mahotsav fair, aim for late February or early March; Incredible India lists the next edition for 2–6 March 2027 at the temple complex.
What else can I see near the Nohta temple?
Near Nohta, base in Damoh and add Bandakpur’s Jageshwarnath temple (~17 km), the Kundalpur Jain complex (~32–35 km), the seasonal Nidan waterfall (~25 km), and the Ghughua Fossil Park (~45 km). All the temples are free; the fossil park charges about ₹50 per person.
Last updated and sources
Go for the carving and the quiet: Nohta suits travellers who enjoy early medieval temple sculpture and a short, low-cost day trip from Damoh. The ideal window is October to March, or late February to early March if you want the Nohleshwar Mahotsav.
Last updated: 28 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Incredible India — Nohleshwar Mahotsav; Outlook Traveller — Damoh 2-day itinerary; ASI list of Monuments of National Importance, Madhya Pradesh (N-MP-38); Nohleshwar Temple; Puratattva — Nohta (Nohaleshwar) Temple survey; Nohta; Damoh district. Accessed October 2026.
