Shiva is known in several forms. The commonest of these (whose temple is on the left side of the Beds) is that of Pancha Vaktra or five-faced Shiva. The three-faced Shiva is known as Trilok Nath; his temple is on the right side of the river.
History of Trilok Nath
The temple of Trilok Nath was built by Sultan Devi, the pious queen of Raja Ajbar Sen, in the Kali year 2264, corresponding with the Saka Samvat in 1442 and 1520 A.D. It is a Shiva temple erected in stone and the Sikhara style. The cella (8’ 4” square) contains a life-sized three-faced stone image of Shiva who is riding on a bull with Parvati in his lap. There is also a second image, probably of Shiva, which, however, is much worn. The porch measures 7’ 8” by 3’ 6″, and the lintel rests on two fluted pillars and pilasters.
An attendant, or doorkeeper, is shown on each of the two pilasters, and there are floral and animalc arvings on the capitals of the pillars. Between the pillars is the trefoil arch characteristic of Mandi architecture. The workmanship throughout is good, but the carving has suffered much from neglect and is much worn owing to the soft nature of the sandstone employed, it is still one of the finest monuments in the State.
The image which it enshrines is connected with the rite of Sati. It is said that the woman whose fate it was to burn on the funeral pile was brought to the temple before she mounted the pyre, and was there shown the face at the back of the idol. This was the last rite preparatory to immolation, the sight of the face being supposed to inspire the Sati with a frenzied desire to plunge into the flames.
The earliest mention of the town is on the inscription at the Trilok Nath temple in Old Mandi, which is dated in the year 2264 of the Kaliyuga era, and the Saka year 1442, corresponding to A.D 1520.
Conclusion
Except at Riwalsar, no Budhistic monument exists in Mandi, unless indeed the shrines of Trilok Nath, which are now sacred to Shiva, can be regarded as of Budhistic association. Trilok Nath, as he is represented in the Chandra-bhaga valley, has been identified with the Bodhisat Avaloketeshwara and it has been suggested that the identity of Shiva with Trilok Nath in Mandi and parts of Kéngra may be due to Buddhist influence.
Source: Gazetteer of the Mandi State
