The Seshashayan Temple listed as Temple No. 2 in the Baroli group of Temples by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is a 10th century edifice of the Gurjara – Pratiharas. This temple stands near the Shiv Temple built in the middle of the ancient kund.
The original temple in plan had an ardha mandapa, an antarala and a garbha griha. The sanctum sanctorum was designed as a triratha and had a heavy shikhara that archaeologists believe was in the form of a barrel vault or wagon vault. This type of roof design is very unusual for this period and raises questions on whether the shikhara was bejewelled as suggested by some historical references.
This would also support the evidence from court records and historical references that the Muslim invaders particularly Aurangzeb and the Christian invaders the British looted this temple and destroyed its roof and front entrance porch.
The entrance doorway is rather plain in decoration and was said to be made of conch shell. The external facades are bereft of embellishments.
The idol of Bhagawan Vishnu consecrated here has now been moved to a museum for safekeeping.
Written by Lakshmi Subramanian
sahasa.in 
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