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 Some historical documents suggest that the foundation of this temple was laid by one Vachaspati, probably the Pant Pradhan of the Chaulukya dynasty and then finished by...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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
One of the finest examples of the Post Gupta period is the Kherat brick temples located in the sleepy village of Kherat in Bhind district. According to historians, Bhind region has been mentioned in both the Ramayana and Mahabharat wherein it is believed that Lord Rama spent a great deal of time here during his... Continue Reading →
The centuries-old Char Bangla Mandiralaya at Baranagar is one of the most picturesque and interesting temple complexes built in Bengal. Located on the bank of the Bhagirathi River, this temple is a short boat ride upstream from Azimganj Sadarghat on the opposite bank. This temple is one of many built by the affluent philanthropist, Rani Bhabani... Continue Reading →
Sonamukhi, located in Bankura district is home to some of the most exquisite terracotta temples built in Bengal that are widely considered to be far superior to those seen in nearby Bishnupur. Sonamukhi derives it names from the powerful local deity Swarnamukhi Devi with Swarna meaning gold and mukhi meaning face and literally means gold face or golden face.... Continue Reading →
The quaint village of Sukharia located on the busy Somrabazar railway line in Hooghly district has some of the finest terracotta temples and old mansions that you will find in Bengal. Somrabazar has historically been the home of some of the oldest Zamindar families whose wealth, grandeur and affluence has had a significant influence on the culture... Continue Reading →
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