Virateshwar temple

File:Virath Temple N-MP-255 Shahdol MP Kamlashanker Vishvakarma.jpg

File:Erotic sculpture at virat temple shahdol.jpg

Virateshwar temple or Virat temple of Lord Shiva is located in Sohagpur (Shahdol), Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh.{{cite web |title=Virat Mandir {{!}} District Shahdol {{!}} India |url=https://shahdol.nic.in/en/tourist-place/virat-mandir/ |access-date=21 September 2021}} The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Monument number for this temple is N-MP-255. ASI database mentions it as "Virath Temple and remains".{{cite web |title=Alphabetical List of Monuments – Madhya Pradesh « Archaeological Survey of India |url=https://asi.nic.in/alphabetical-list-of-monuments-madhya-pradesh/ |website=asi.nic.in |access-date=21 September 2021}}{{cite web |title=Virath temple and remains |url=https://asibhopal.nic.in/monument/shahdol_Sohagpur_virathtempleandremains.html |website=Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Circle |publisher=Govt of India, Ministry of Culture |access-date=21 September 2021}}

This temple was built by the Kalchuri ruler, Maharaja Yuvarajadeva II between 950 CE and 1050 CE. This was built as a present for the Acharya (saint) of Golkaki Math. This 70 feet tall temple is one of the most famous architectures of the Kalchuri Age.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} The temple is under the preservation of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Banganga Mela or Banganga fair was started in 1895 by the then king, Rewa Maharaja Gulab Singh. The fair takes place in the courtyard of the Virat Temple and lasts for five days.{{cite web |title=Banganga Mela {{!}} District Shahdol {{!}} India |url=https://shahdol.nic.in/en/gallery/banganga-mela/ |website=District Shahdol |publisher=Shahdol District Administration |access-date=21 September 2021}}