Dog is worshiped along with Lord Shiva in the fort of Chhattisgarh, know the unique secret of ‘Kukurdev Temple’

Raipur: Many unique shades of faith and traditions can be seen in Indian culture. But there is a temple located in Durg district of Chhattisgarh which surprises tourists and devotees from all over the world due to its unique belief. There is a historical religious place named ‘Kukurdev Temple’ in Khapri village located near the district headquarters. The biggest feature of this temple is that the main idol is not of any traditional deity, but of a faithful dog, which the villagers worship with full devotion.

structure of temple complex

The architecture of this temple complex spread over a wide area of ​​about 200 meters is very attractive. When any devotee steps into the main entrance of this temple, grand sculptures of dogs carved out of stone are seen on either side to welcome him. An ancient statue of a dog has been installed inside the main sanctum of the temple, and a sacred Shivalinga is also present right next to it.

sanctum sanctorum view

Generally, the place and respect that is given to Nandi bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, in other Shiva temples of the country, the same status is given to ‘Kukurdev’ in this unique temple. Especially during the month of Sawan, there is an influx of devotees who, along with offering water to the Shivalinga, equally worship this faithful animal. Local people strongly believe that by visiting this place with devotion, seasonal diseases like whooping cough are cured and no one in the area is afraid of being bitten by stray dogs.

Folktale behind the construction of the temple

There is a very emotional story recorded in the folk history of Chhattisgarh behind the construction of this unique memorial-like temple. Centuries ago, a nomad settled in this area with his family and a very intelligent pet dog. That dog was naturally loyal to its owner.

When famine changed circumstances

After some time, there was a devastating famine in this entire area, due to which the people of Banjara faced livelihood crisis. Banjare, who was in need of every penny, took a huge sum of money on loan from an influential moneylender of the village. Even after the stipulated time had passed, when Banjara could not return the loan amount due to poverty, he, helpless before the pressure of the moneylender, mortgaged his most beloved and loyal dog to the moneylender.

Dog’s cleverness won the moneylender’s heart

One night, vicious thieves attacked the moneylender’s house and took away the jewelery and all the wealth kept in the safe. The thieves buried the stolen goods underground in a deserted field near the village. When the theft was discovered in the morning, the moneylender became distraught.

freed him immediately by waiving the debt

Then that intelligent dog caught the moneylender’s dhoti with his mouth and dragged him to the same deserted place. When digging was done at the behest of the dog, the moneylender got all his stolen valuables back safely. The moneylender immediately freed him from his debt. Later, to immortalize this unmatched loyalty, the villagers built this grand temple, which even today is a symbol of the unbreakable relationship between humans and animals.