The magnificent Kumbhalgarh Fort is dotted with stunning temples dating back to the 8th century. Though most of these temples are in ruins today, they still manage to exude quietude, charm and elegance.
One such temple is the ancient Shiva Temple located to the east of the Golera group of temples that has now fallen into disuse. This temple believed to have been built between the 16th – 17th century sits on a high platform and is accessed by a flight of steps.
This east – facing temple in plan originally had two pillared mandapas, an antarala and a garbha griha. The two halls have disappeared over time. The temple underwent renovation in the 18th century when a pillared hall was added to the temple along with the entrance porch.
The entrance doorway is bereft of carvings and the presiding deity that is seated on the Lalata Bimba is missing. There are niches on either side of the entrance doorway. There is a typical curvilinear brick shikhara over the sanctum sanctorum that has partly collapsed.
A plinth extends from the western wall of the shrine that may have been used for sacrificial offerings. The external walls are fairly simple in decoration with mouldings seen on the plinth level. The niches decorated with auspicious Hindu iconography now lie empty.
Written by Lakshmi Subramanian
sahasa.in 
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