Neelkanth Mahadev Kalinjar*Shiv Ki Tapobhoomi , Jahan Shiv Ne Piya Vish

Kalinjar(Hindi: कालिंजर) is a fortress-city in the Bundelkhand region of central India. Kalinjar is located in Banda District of Uttar Pradesh state, near the temple-city and World Heritage Site of Khajuraho. The fortress is strategically located on an isolated rocky hill at the end the Vindhya Range, at an elevation of 1203 feet overlooking the plains of Bundelkhand. It served several of Bundelkhand's ruling dynasties, including the Chandela dynasty of Rajputs in the 10th century, and the Solankis of Rewa.

(Kalinjar) is one of the most characteristic specimens of the hill-fortresses, originally hill-shrines, of central India. Its antiquity is proved by its mention in the Mahabharata. Kalinjar means The destroyer of time in Sanskrit. 'Kal' is time and 'jar' destruction. Legend says that after manthan Hindu God, Lord Shiva, drank the poison and his throat became blue (hence the name Neel (blue) Kantha (throat)) and he came to Kalinjar and overcome the 'Kal' i.e. he achieved victory over death. This is the reason the Shiva temple at Kalinjar is called Neelkanth. Since then, the hill has been considered a holy site, casting its shadow across the patches of grasslands as well as the densely forested valley.
Trimurti images are also many, showing the faces of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh(Shiva). Some distance away is a massive figure of Vishnu lying in the ocean of milk, enclosed within the coils of the Sheshnag. It presents a unique artistic charm. The presence of images of Lord Shiva the god of love Kamadev, Indrani the wife of Indra etc. speaks of influence from diverse cultures and religions. It also leads us to believe that the creation of the Chandela culture was not the handiwork of artists from one region.

The Bargujar princes who ruled before the Chandelas were influenced by the 'Shaiva' cult. Therefore, among the rock-cut and stone images are mostly those of Shiva, Parvati, Nandi and the Shivling. Shiva is seen at times in his dancing posture of tandava and at others in a close embrace with goddess Parvati.
http://www.kalinjar.in/blog/kalinjar-...
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pr...
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pr...
Sher Shah Suri marched against the Kalinjar Fort and captured it. Soon after the capture, Sher Shah Suri ( Sher Khan) died on 22nd May, 1545.
http://www.importantindia.com/4547/at...
http://anuragshuklaaknownguideofkhaju...

Neelkanth Mahadev temple the great lingam of Neelkantha is situated in as outwork in the middle of the west face of the fort. The upper gate, leading into the outwork, is attributed to Raja Parmal or Paramardi Deva, who reigned from A.D. 1167 to 1203. There are several inscriptions. A second gate leads into the courtyard of the temple. The rock on right hand of the descent there are many statues and several inscriptions.
The shrine of the Neelkantha lingam is a small cave with remains of the fine mandapa, or hall in front. The façade of the cave has been very rich, but is now much broken. On the jambs of the door there are figures of Siva and Parvati with Ganges and Yamuna rivers. These are of the Gupta period. The pillars of the halls are later, and belong to the Chandela. The roof of the mandapa is now gone, but most pillars and tops are remained. The tops are decorated with some beautiful Kichkas, like some are playing musical instruments and some weapons.
A cave-like opening and glances at an imposing Shivlinga of around five feet, one is awe-struck. The idea has been to use landscape and cave-isolation to set the solemnity of the mood for prayer. Its intrinsic feature is to reflect and refract light in the appropriate seasons, letting in light in winter and darkening to restrict its entry in summer.
Just above the temple is a natural water source and water in this source never dries up. Water continually drips on Shivlinga. The priests, who are Chandela Rajput since the time of the Chandela kings, point out an interesting factoid: The neck of the sculpture of lord Shiva on the Shivlinga, though made of solid rock, is always moist to touch. In some sense reminding every visitor the "Neelkanth" or drinking of poison story.
Close to the Shivlinga cave, stand the idols of Bhairava and goddess Parvati, made of black stone.
Just outside the Mandapa of Neelkantha there is a deep Kund, or rock cut reservoir, called Swargarohana.
There is a colossal figure of Kaal Bhairava, 24 feet in the height and 17 feet broad. The figure has 18 arms, and is ornamented with the usual garland of skulls, with snakes earrings and snakes armlets, and the skeleton goddess Kali 4 feet in height.
http://anuragshuklaaknownguideofkhaju...