Not Just Lord Shiva: THIS Chhattisgarh Temple Worships A Dog Too; Story Will Surprise You

Durg: The district of Durg in Chhattisgarh is rich in history. Khapri village houses a unique temple, called Kukurdev Temple. The specialty of this temple is that people here worship a dog. We normally worship idols of Gods, but at this temple in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, in place of the idol of a god, a dog’s idol has been enshrined. 

Near the idol of an ancient Shivalinga, there is also an idol of a dog. Villagers say that the historical fact behind the worship of the dog at this peculiar temple is centuries old.

How is the structural construction of the temple complex?

Structure of this temple is peculiar in layout of whole temple complex. This temple is vast covering an area of about 200 meters. Entering in the premises, one sees idols of dogs placed on both sides of the main gate. 

During holy month of Sawan, the temple is filled with devotees. They do worship of Lord Shiva along with this loyal dog ‘Kukurdev’. Dog receives similar regard in this Shiva temple as that of the Nandi bull receives. Believers of this temple says those who visit the Kukurdev Temple never become ill of whooping cough, neither they get afraid from dog bites.

What is the heart-stirring story of construction?

This temple is not just a temple rather a monument erected to the love and sacrifice of an animal. The incidence behind its construction has been incorporated in the history and folk lore writings in the form of a story. Story says that, centuries ago, a Banjara came to settle in this village with his family and family dog. His dog was highly loyal to him.

There was a severe famine. The Banjara had to borrow some money from a money-lender for its survival but was unable to pay it back later. When the money-lender demanded his money back, as per the folk lore, the poor nomad was left with no other option except to mortgage his dearly beloved and trusted dog to the rich and cruel money-lender. Though living at the house of the money-lender, his loyal pet longed terribly for its master.

Meanwhile, one night, some thieves raided the moneylender's house. They stole all the valuables and wealth from the house. They hid the stolen goods underground near the village. 

The money-lender started weeping when he woke up the next day seeing all money missing but the loyal dog grabbed the cloth of the money-lender in its mouth and dragged him to the place where the wealth was hidden. When the owner digs in search of the treasure, it was revealed that the dog led him to the lost wealth. Relieved from losses, money lender released him and the villagers then built a temple there in remembrance of his loyaly, the temple stands today as living memory of this faithful act.