Dantewada

History at a glance

1. Puranic
   Sati self-immolates; Shiva carries her body and dances; Vishnu's chakra divides it. Her tooth falls here, in the forest of Dandakaranya, and Danteshwari rises at the spot.
2. Legendary
   Danteshwari grants Raja Annamdev all the land he can cover without turning back — on condition he does not look behind him, or she will stop where he does.
3. 11th-14th century
   The Kakatiyas rule from Warangal in present-day Telangana until the Delhi Sultanate conquers them.
4. 14th century
   Kakatiya rulers build the Danteshwari temple. Prataparudradev of the Warangal line is named in Bastar histories.
5. Later
   A separate Bhairava temple is incorporated into the main complex within the Natamandap.
6. Through the princely era
   The Maharajas of Bastar serve as hereditary high priests of the temple, which one source says gave them immense clout among the tribal population.
7. Modern
   The temple is linked by one source to the beginnings of the Maoist insurgency in Bastar. Bastar Dussehra continues over seventy-five days each year.

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