About Rudra Mahalaya Temple

  Sidhpur is in Patan district in Gujarat. It is located on the bank of Sarasvati River, considered to be the branch of lost Saraswati River. It is a sacred town and is a revered destination, flanked by temples, kunds, ashrams and other sacred structures. Around the 10th century, under the Solanki rulers, this town was at the pinnacle of prominence and glory. It derived its name from the great ruler of Gujarat, Siddhraj Jaisinh from the Solanki dynasty. 
 

  The Rudra Mahalaya Temple is a ruined temple complex at Siddhpur in the Patan district of Gujarat, India. Its construction started in 943 AD by Mularaja and ended in 1140 AD by Siddharaj Jaisinh, the rulers of the Solanki dynasty. The temple was destroyed by Allauddin Khilji, and later Ahmed Shah I(1410–44) desecrated and substantially demolished this temple, and also converted part of it into the congregational mosque (Jami Masjid) of the city.

   The construction of Rudra Mahalaya was started in 943 AD by Mularaja Solanki and was completed in 1140 AD by Siddharaj Jaisinh. The temple was dismantled by Allauddin Khilji during 1410-1444 and later Ahmed Shah I demolished this temple and converted some part of it into the conjoint mosque. In the 10th century Mularaja Solanki, the founder of the Solanki dynasty of Gujarat, began the construction of Rudra Mahalay temple. As per the local folklore, Muladev had killed his maternal uncle to usurp his throne. He murdered an entire of his mother's kindred. However, his crimes hung heavily on his mind during his old age. To get rid of his bad deeds he built Rudra Mahalaya.

  The original temple consisted of a roof measuring 32 feet (9.8 m), much larger than the Abu temple. Its overall dimensions were 300 by 230 feet (91 m × 70 m) with the central building 150 feet (46 m) in length. It was a triple storied temple with 1,600 pillars, 12 entrance doors, and 11 shrines of Rudra positioned around it. The sanctum was on the west and there was also a 'mandapa' or hall which had porches on the eastern, northern, and southern wings. Today there are only two "torans" (porches) and four pillars. One "toran" is elaborately ornamented; the eastern gate which leads to the Saraswati River still stands; the remaining pillars have highly ornamented carvings. Kirti Stambh of North has survived. The western part of complex converted into the congregation area.