Ancient Brick Temples

  1. Ancient Brick Temple (Auliyeshwar Mahadev Mandir), Karchulipur Village, Ghatampur Tehsil, Kanpur Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh (2/24/2022) - It is perhaps not known to many that Kanpur Nagar district is a treasure trove of ancient brick temples dating back to the Dwapura Yuga. Though tourists head straight for Bhitargaon and Nibiya Khera, there are several other brick temples that have managed to remain hidden for centuries and have only recently caught the interest of... Continue Reading →
  2. Temple of Mahadeo Baba, Parauri Village, Ghatampur Tehsil, Kanpur Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh (3/4/2022) - Another excellent example of the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the Guptas is the ancient brick temple of Mahadeo Baba in Parauri village in Kanpur Nagar district. This charming brick temple, though relatively unknown and relegated to obscurity for centuries sits in the midst of stunning natural beauty.   Archaeological excavations conducted in the late 1800s... Continue Reading →
  3. Two Ancient Brick Temples, Koratha Village, Ghatampur Tehsil, Kanpur Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh (3/10/2022) - 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... Continue Reading →
  4. Ancient Brick Temple, Tenduli Village, Fatehpur District, Uttar Pradesh (3/11/2022) - Tenduli village, a rather small and quiet village in Fatehpur district is a treasure trove of Gupta period temples. This village, perhaps not known to many is of great antiquity and has some of the finest examples of the earliest brick temples along the Rind River.   The Baba Chatrubhuj Temple (Chaturbhuj Baba) also referred... Continue Reading →
  5. Surya Mandir (Lord Chaturbhuj Temple), Dhamna Khurd Village, Fatehpur District, Uttar Pradesh (3/17/2022) - The fertile land of Fatehpur district has been a renowned centre for learning, knowledge, art and architecture since the Vedic Period. This region is dotted with a fair number of temples built in different periods that survived the savagery of Muslim invaders particularly Aurangzeb.   Tucked away in the historically significant Dhamna Khurd village is... Continue Reading →
  6. Two Ancient Brick Temples, Sarahan Buzurg Village, Amauli Block, Fatehpur District, Uttar Pradesh (3/18/2022) - Fatehpur district is home to many stunning temples dating back to the ancient times. A sizeable number of brick temples, perhaps some of the earliest ever built are seen in various pockets of this region. Though most have been relegated to obscurity, credit must be given to the villagers for putting in the time, money... Continue Reading →
  7. Devra Baba Mandir, Korari Village, Bahua Block, Fatehpur District, Uttar Pradesh (3/24/2022) - The fertile region of Fatehpur is dotted with exquisite examples of 4th to 8th century brickwork. The temples of Tenduli, Sarahan Buzurg, Thithaura and Korari have the most exemplary ornate bricks that is testimony to the technical proficiency and craftsmanship of the artisans of the post-Gupta period.   Located to the south bank of an... Continue Reading →
  8. Two Ancient Brick Temples, Thithaura Village, Telyani Block, Fatehpur District, Uttar Pradesh (3/31/2022) - The ancient brick temple of Bhorhare Baba (Bharahare Baba or Bhorahare Baba) located 10km north of Bahua in Thithaura village is considered by historians to be an outstanding piece of architecture that is still standing in the Ganga – Yamuna Doab. This temple complex of the 10th century appears to have been built on the... Continue Reading →
  9. Kakora Baba Temple, Bahua, Fatehpur District, Uttar Pradesh (4/7/2022) - The lesser-known Kakora Baba Temple (Kakore Baba) in the bustling town of Bahua in Fatehpur district is a magnificent architectural gem of the 10th century built by the Pratiharas. The original structure dedicated to Lord Maheshwara was made of bricks laid in mud mortar with a thin layer of plaster, had a grand shikhara of moulded... Continue Reading →
  10. Old Shiv Temple, Shambhua Village, Kanpur Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh (4/14/2022) - The Chandelas of Jejakabhukti, undisputedly the most creative and prolific builders of Akhanda Bharat have many architectural masterpieces to their credit. Their best work is seen in Khajuraho, Kalinjar, Ajaigarh and Mahoba which was the capital city.   The Chandelas favoured the Pratihara style of architecture but added their own charm and grandeur to each and... Continue Reading →
  11. Pisanahi Mandir, Birshibpur, Ghatampur Tehsil, Kanpur Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh (4/21/2022) - It is perhaps not known to many that Hamirpur road in Ghatampur tehsil has some of the most beautiful brick temples in Kanpur district. The ancient Temple of Mahadeo Baba in Parauri, Auilyeshwar Mahadev Mandir in Karchulipur, Two ancient temples at Koratha and some smaller ruined temples on this road have exquisite carved brickwork and... Continue Reading →
  12. Chausath Yogini Temple, Dudhai Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (4/28/2022) - Lalitpur district, once the stronghold of the Guptas and the Chandelas of Jejakabhukti has some of the earliest brick and stone edifices found in Akhanda Bharat. Though a sizeable number of these magnificent structures did not survive the savagery of the Muslim invaders and the British, some of them have been restored to their former splendour... Continue Reading →
  13. Rock-Cut Narasimha, Dudhai Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (5/5/2022) - Located a little away from the hustle and bustle of Dudhai village is an extremely rare rock-cut image of Lord Narasimha that is nothing short of an engineering and artistic feat. One must remember that the facial expressions, posture and ferocity of Lord Narasimha is probably one of the most difficult to depict even for... Continue Reading →
  14. Lesser Surang Temple (Choti Sarai), Dudhai Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (5/12/2022) - A stunning example of the architectural ingenuity of the Chandelas is the lesser-known Lesser Surang Temple in Dudhai village in Lalitpur district. This temple is part of a larger complex that is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).   It is extremely unfortunate that the glorious period of the Chandelas and... Continue Reading →
  15. Larger Surang Temple (Badi Sarai), Dudhai Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (5/19/2022) - The Larger Surang Temple, a 10th – 11th century architectural masterpiece of the Chandelas is one of the many shrines in the dilapidated temple complex at Dudhai village. Commonly known as Badi Sarai, this temple is best known for its twin shrines that share a majestic shikhara.   On first glance, this temple sits on... Continue Reading →
  16. Varaha, Dudhai Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (5/26/2022) - Another lesser-known sculptural gem of the Chandelas in the temple complex of Dudhai village is the pair of Varahas crafted in the 10th to 11th century. The larger Varaha is seated near the Larger and Lesser Surang Temples while the smaller one popularly known as Bachcha is near the lake.   The larger Varaha sits majestically... Continue Reading →
  17. Linga of Mahadeva Temple, Dudhai Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (6/2/2022) - Lost in the rubble of the Dudhai village temple complex is the ruined Mahadeva Temple of the 11th century. This temple built on a high platform sits behind the Lesser Surang Temple.   Though it is well-known that this entire temple complex along with the goshala, dharmashala and other structures were built by the Chandelas, this temple... Continue Reading →
  18. Baniya ki Barat, Dudhai Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (6/9/2022) - The glorious period of the Chandelas marked with their engineering and architectural mastery is perhaps best experienced in Dudhai village in Lalitpur district. Historical records state that Dudhai was often referred to as the pride of the Chandelas dotted with exquisite temples, dharmashalas, maths and living quarters for the locals and the learned built by successive... Continue Reading →
  19. Varaha Temple, Deogarh Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (6/16/2022) - A lesser-known edifice of the 7th century is the Varaha Temple located in the south-west corner of the Deogarh Fort in Lalitpur district. This temple though stunning in its own way has been overshadowed by its famous neighbour, the impressive Gupta Period Dashavatara Temple.   The east-facing Varaha Temple stands on a high platform and... Continue Reading →
  20. Kuraiya Bir Temple, Deogarh Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (6/23/2022) - Deogarh, situated on the banks of the Betwa River is dotted with stunning temples dating back to the 5th century. Besides the world-famous Gupta Period Dashavatara Temple, there is the lesser-known Kuraiya Bir Temple seated in the dense forest close to the Varaha Temple.   This east-facing temple sits majestically on a low platform and has a... Continue Reading →
  21. Ancient Brick Temple, Navagaon Village, Raipur District, Chhattisgarh (6/30/2022) - It is perhaps not known to many that Chhattisgarh is one of the few states in India where one can truly appreciate the natural progression of brick art and temples from the 7th to 16th – 17th centuries. This region of Central India has always been an important seat of power for successive dynasties from... Continue Reading →
  22. Makarbai Temple, Makarbai Village, Mahoba District, Uttar Pradesh (7/7/2022) - The architectural brilliance, engineering ingenuity and artistic excellence of the Chandelas is best appreciated in their capital city of Mahoba. Their contribution to art, sculpture, architecture and literature is expressed in their unique style, technique, structural features and design elements in every edifice they built in Mahoba, Kalinjar, Ajaigarh and Khajuraho.   It is greatly... Continue Reading →
  23. Surya Temple, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh (8/3/2022) - The temples, halls, dharmashalas and tanks built by the Chandelas across North India is an excellent example of their architectural grandeur, engineering precision and sculptural beauty. The Chandelas were a devout dynasty who took great pride in abiding by the age-old wisdom and tenets laid down in the Hindu texts.   Every building they designed conformed to... Continue Reading →
  24. Bhandaria Temple, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (8/4/2022) - Chandpur – Jahajpura located near the Betwa River is a lesser-known treasure trove of ancient temples of the 9th – 12th century built by the Chandelas. This magnificent heritage site has five groups of temples along with a number of independent temples built over three centuries.   The five groups are the Sahastralingeshwar Temple, Varaha... Continue Reading →
  25. Varaha Temple Group, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (8/11/2022) - Chandpur – Jahajpura is revered by historians, archaeologists, architects and artists for its exemplary artefacts dating back to the 9th – 12th century. This heritage site is a fine example of the architectural, artistic and engineering prowess of the Chandelas. The east and north-west parts of this complex in particular have innumerable broken sculptures, architectural... Continue Reading →
  26. Sahastralingeshwar Temple Group, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (8/17/2022) - Another beautiful example of the artistic, architectural and sculptural perfection of the Chandelas is the Sahastralingeshwar Temple Group in the revered site of Chandpur – Jahajpura. Chandpur – Jahajpura now in ruins was perhaps one of the most important seats of power of the Chandelas between the 9th – 12th century.   The majestic Sahastralingeshwar... Continue Reading →
  27. Belmori Temple Group, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (8/25/2022) - Chandpur – Jahajpura is an excellent historical and archaeological site to appreciate some of the finest architecture of the Chandelas built between the 9th – 12th century. This remote village literally in the middle of nowhere has countless damaged sculptures, carved stones, decorative panels and ruins of bathing ghats, halls and temples in the east... Continue Reading →
  28. Lakshmi Narayan Temple Group, Chandpur Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh (9/1/2022) - The largest group of temples in the historical site of Chandpur – Jahajpura is Lakshmi Narayan. Considered by historians, archaeologists, artists and architects to be one of the finest examples of the engineering, artistic and architectural prowess of the Chandelas, this group of temples though completely in ruins today still manages to exude the charm,... Continue Reading →
  29. Bija Mandal, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh (9/8/2022) - A magnificent edifice of the Chaulukya dynasty or Solanki dynasty of Gujarat and the Paramara dynasty that ruled over Madhya Pradesh is the Bija Mandal or Vijaya Mandir. Some historical documents suggest that the foundation of this temple was laid by one Vachaspati, probably the Pant Pradhan of the Chaulukya dynasty and then finished by... Continue Reading →
  30. Vaishnava Temple, Konark Temple Complex, Konark, Puri District, Odisha (12/12/2023) - The spectacular Konark Temple complex is an excellent example to understand the science of Hindu philosophy and tenets of Shilpa Shastra. This complex is full of architectural and artistic gems that will leave you spellbound.   The magnificent Konark Sun Temple in particular is a wonderous architectural and structural feat, a true testimony to one’s faith... Continue Reading →
  31. Siddheshwar Temple, Palari, Balodabazar District, Chhattisgarh (2/13/2024) - Siddeshwar Temple by the ancient Balsamund Talab in Palari is a lesser – known brick temple of the 7th – 8th century. This west – facing temple strictly adheres to the tenets of the Shilpa Shastra and has been widely appreciated by historians, architects and artisans for its extraordinary sculptures, carved panels and structural ingenuity.... Continue Reading →

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