Chandreh Explained

Chandreh
Other Name:Chandrehi, Chandrehe
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:India Madhya Pradesh
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Madhya Pradesh, India
Coordinates:24.2906°N 81.4773°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Madhya Pradesh
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Sidhi
Subdivision Type3:Tehsil
Subdivision Name3:Gopadbanas
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:5.41
Population Total:1823
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN

Chandreh, also spelled Chandrehi or Chandrehe, is a village in Rampur Naikin block of Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh. Located near the confluence of the Son and Banas rivers, it is known for its 10th-century Shiva temple and monastery. As of 2011, Chandreh has a population of 1,823, in 370 households.

Geography

Chandreh is located 1.6 km east of the confluence of the Son and Banas rivers, and about 24 km southwest of Sidhi, the district headquarters.

History

The earliest evidence of human habitation at Chandreh consists of archaeological from the early and middle Neolithic period.

In the 10th century, there was a wave of construction at Chandreh linked to the Shaivite sect known as the Mattamayūra. These include a temple to Shiva, an adjoining monastery (matha), and an irrigation tank and a well. An inscription in the monastery identifies it as being built (or completed) in March 973, on the orders of the Mattamayūra leader Prabodhashiva. The temple was constructed by Prabodhashiva's predecessor Prashantashiva sometime earlier in the century.[1]

The temple is made of sandstone and has a rather unique design, featuring a high raised foundation, a chaitya-like floor plan, and a shikhara decorated with a gavaksha motif also reminiscent of chaityas. The monastery has two levels and is also made of sandstone.[2]

Demographics

As of 2011, Chandreh had a population of 1,823, in 390 households. This population was 51.5% male (921) and 49.5% female (902). The 0-6 age group numbered 284 (147 male and 137 female), making up 15.6% of the total population. 100 residents were members of Scheduled Castes, or 5.5% of the total. [3]

Infrastructure

As of 2011, Chandreh had 1 primary school; it did not have any healthcare facilities. The village had a sub post office but no public library; there was at least some access to electricity for all purposes. Streets were made of kachcha materials.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Banerji . R. D. . R. D. Banerji . Sastri . Hiranand . Dikshit . K. N. . Chakravarti . N. P. . Hiranand Sastri . Kashinath Narayan Dikshit . N. P. Chakravarti . Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XXI . 1932 . Delhi . 148–53 . 6 November 2024 . The Chandrehe Inscription of Prabodhashiva: The Kalachuri Year 724.
  2. Web site: Chandreh Temple and Monastery . Archaeological Survey of India Jabalpur Circle . 6 November 2024.
  3. Web site: Census of India 2011: Madhya Pradesh District Census Handbook - Sidhi, Part B (Village and Town Wise Primary Census Abstract) . Census of India . 6 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Census of India 2011: Madhya Pradesh District Census Handbook - Sidhi, Part A (Village and Town Directory) . Census of India . 6 November 2024.