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 →
Kuraiya Bir Temple, Deogarh Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
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 →
Varaha Temple, Deogarh Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
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 →
Baniya ki Barat, Dudhai Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
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 →
Linga of Mahadeva Temple, Dudhai Village, Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh
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 →
Mahadeva Temple, Khardeori Village, Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh
Mandla, once the stronghold of the mighty Gondwana dynasty is dotted with temples, halls and impregnable forts. Under the leadership of their greatest king Maharaja Sangram Shah, the Garha Mandla kingdom of Gondwana expanded its territory on both sides of the Narmada River. Rani Durgavati who took over the reins of the kingdom following... Continue Reading →
Chandreh Shiva Temple, Chandreh Village, Rampur Naikin Tehsil, Sidhi District, Madhya Pradesh
Chandreh Shiva Temple, situated on the right bank of the Son River is an outstanding example of a circular garbha griha. This ancient temple built in the 10th century (972 to 973 CE) by Raja Prabodh Shiva of Chedi is west-facing with a circular sanctum sanctorum preceded by an antarala and a mukha mandapa. Interestingly, this temple... Continue Reading →
Mahadeva Temple, Amrol Village, Gwalior District, Madhya Pradesh
One of the finest examples of the early Pratihara style of architecture in Central India is the Mahadeva Temple in Amrol village. This ancient temple is likely to have been built in the 8th century by either Nagabhata I or Vatsaraja. The temples built by the Pratiharas in Gwalior are considered by historians to be... Continue Reading →