Another impressive edifice of the Gupta period is the pair of brick temples located in Koratha village in Kanpur Nagar district. This ancient temple complex is frankly in the middle of nowhere and yet, has been remarkably preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
On first glance, one will see the complex divided into two by a low wall. One part has the plinth of probably one temple in the middle and plinths on three corners. The other part of the complex has the remains of a temple that is seated on a high plinth.
Repetitive motifs adorn the external facades and the style and patterns seen are typical of the Gupta style of architecture. The decorative mouldings on the lower part of the temple are stunning to say the least.
The sculptural wealth seen in the panels is in contrast to the temple’s architectural simplicity and unpretentious size. The antiquity of the terracotta bricks suggests that this temple was built in the 5th century. The terracotta friezes and moulded bricks seen here are very similar to those seen in Deogarh and Bhitargaon.
It would appear that there was a shikhara over the flat roof of the square sanctum sanctorum. Historians opine that an internal hollow chamber above the flat roof was introduced here to reduce the weight of the tiered brick spire.
As this temple is in ruins, it is difficult to ascertain what the original structure looked like and who the presiding deity was.
Written by Lakshmi Subramanian
* Photos are only symbolic (Taken from public domain/internet and any copyright infringement is unintentional and regrettable)
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