DANTESHWARI, Dantewara

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Probably rather an erected structure (temple) than a modified natural, sacred cave or rock shelter (temple cave) dedicated to a Hindu goddess identified as Kali under the name of Danteswari or Mauli … where Meriah or human sacrifices used to be offered (SMITH, G 1882: 341). ETYMOLOGY: danta (tooth) + ishvari or ishwari (goddess) as, for example, Kali, Durga or any other name for female shakti; the Supreme Spirit. Dantiwara SMITH, G (1882: 341) Danteswari SMITH, G (1882: 341) Dantevara N18°54': E081°21' nima.mil/geonames (accessed 16.11.2003) Dantewara N18°54': E081°21' nima.mil/geonames (accessed 16.11.2003) Denteswari SHRIVASTAVA, V K (1997) Maoli Mauli SMITH, G (1882: 341). SITUATION 1882: In what was then the Bastar State at the place called Dantiwara, at confluence of the Sankani and Dankani (SMITH, G 1882: 341). SITUATION 2006: South of the Indravati River and east of the Bailadila State Forest (AMS sheet NE44-07 Malakanagiri 1963) or Bailadilla Hills (India Road Atlas 206: 95 F2 F3 G2 G3), the town of Dantewara (India Road Atlas, Eicher Goodearth 2006: 95 G2), which is eponymous for the district and the river (N19°02': E081°17') of the same name, stands on the Dantewara Plateau (India Road Atlas, Eicher Goodearth 2006: 95 H2) at the confluence (N18°54': E081°21') of the Sankani and Dankani, and at a travelling distance of 13 km south of Gidam (N18°59': E081°24') on the National Highway NH16, a village 74 km along the NH16 west of Jagdalpur (N19°04': E082°02').