At Kailashpuri near Udaipur in Rajasthan stands the Eklingji temple, the sacred seat of Lord Shiva as Eklingji, worshipped in a striking four-faced image of black marble. For over a thousand years Eklingji has been revered as the ruling deity of Mewar — the true sovereign of the land — so that the Maharanas of Mewar have governed not as kings but as his Diwan, his earthly servants, ruling in his name.
Ancient in origin, tied in tradition to the founder-king Bappa Rawal and the Lakulish sect, the richly carved temple complex draws pilgrims and devotees, especially on Mondays and at Shivaratri. Eklingji is among the most venerable and historically resonant shrines of Rajasthan.
