Ancient Temples of Rajasthan

ANCIENT TEMPLES OF RAJASTHAN
DATING FROM 3RD - 15TH CENTURY AD

STYLE / AGE	TEMPLE	LOCATION	FEATURES

Mauryan	Hathi Bada	Bairat	Once a circular Buddhist temple, only the foundation remains.
3 - 4 th century AD		south-West of Jaipur and Alwar

	Vaishnava	Nagri, near Chittorgarh

Gupta Style	Darrah	Between Kota & Jhalawar

689 AD	Sheetaleshvara	Jhalarapatan	The sanctum, vestibule and half mandapa show elegant workmanship .
			The hall in front, added a century later was highly praised by Fergusson.

	Makanffuni	North-East of Chittaurgarh

	Kansua	Kota

Gurjara-Pratihara	Sun I	Osian, North-West of Jodhpur	Have only a porch in front of the sanctum.
8 - 9 th century AD
	Sun II	Osian, North-West of Jodhpur	Have mandapas or halls.

	Harihara I	Osian, North-west of Jodhpur	Have only a porch in front of the sanctum and
			four sub-shrines at the four corners with the main shrine in the centre.

	Harihara II	Osian, North-West of Jodhpur	Have mandapas or halls with
			four sub-shrines at the four corners with the main shrine in the centre.

	Harihara III	Osian, North-West of Jodhpur	The single-turreted spire over the samctum is pyramidal .
			Also have mandapas or halls .

	Mahaveera	Osian, North-West of Jodhpur	Originally consisted of only a sanctum with a covered ambulatory,
			a closed mandapa, a half- mandapa and a porch.
			The multi-turreted spire is of a later period.

	Haishatmata	Abhaneri	Had once been a magnificent structure raised over a decorated platform, itself raised
		few kms. off the Jaipur - Agra highway	over two decorated terraces, has sensuous sculpture and splendid step-well.
		Dausa District

8th century AD	Sun	In Chittaur fort	Stands on high and decorated terraces on beautiful platforms.
	now known as Kalika		The facade of the sanctum is specially beautiful.

8th century AD	Kumbhashyama	In Chittaur fort	Stands on high and decorated terraces on beautiful platforms.
			The pillars of its hall and the ceilings rise in three levels.

Middle phase of	Kameshvara	Auwa	The super structure over the sanctum is unique in Rajasthan.
Gurjara-Pratihara		near Marwar Junction in Pali District	It consists of a ticred pyramid in the centre
			surrounded by tiered bunches of pediments.

	Ranachhodji	Khed near Balotra in Barmer District	Beginning of the style of multiturreted arrangement in the spire over the sanctum.
			The main pillars of the mandapa are of a later period.

The denouement of	Neelkantheshvaraat	Kekind	Excellent, decoration on the outer walls of the sanctum.
Gurjara - Pratihara style		South of Merta in Nagaur District	Each face is offsetted to accommodate as many as 13 images.
			The spire is powerful, though still monospired. The mandapa has carved pillars
			and a rich main ceiling rising in corbelled tiers.

	Harsha	To the South-East of Sikar	The hill top has other interesting remains and has a beautiful view.

	Neelkantha	Faranagar in the Sariska Sanctuary	Has three sanctums attached to one mandapa with arid beautiful pillars.

	Kiradu	West of Barmer

Diverse characteristics from	Brahamanasvami	Varman, near Reodar in Sirohi District	Mandapa contains some of the finest early ceilings to be seen anywhere in India.
Malwa, Upper Deccan,
Saurashtra and Kutch	Ghateshvara	Baroli, South-West of Kota	Tastefully decorated mandapa added to a Spartan sanctum.
900 A.D.			In the front there is a large dance mandapa added a century later.

10th century AD	Ambika- mata	Jagat to the South-East of Udaipur	The temple celebrates the various benign aspects of the goddess.

Presaging the Solanki vogue	Sas-Bahu	Near Eklingji to the North of Udaipur	Have ornate mandapas added on to austere sanctums
10th century AD			with decorative proliferation, flamboyant pillars and complex toranas.

Solanki	Samadhishvara	In Chittaur fort	The bell-roof over the mandapa is specially notable.

Jain	Dilwara	Mount Abu	A main temple unit of four components surrounded, fully or partly, by sub shrines,
10th century AD			all raised on a terrace, pierced by a 'nali' staircase and a mandapa over the latter.
			Celebrated for the intricate carving and resplendent ceilings.

	Muchhala Mahavira	Chanerao	Excuisite workmanship and picturesque locations.
		North-East of Sadri in Pali District

	Parshvanatha	Mirpur, South-West of Sirohi	Excuisite workmanship and picturesque locations.

Late Jain	Chaumukha	Ranakpur, near Sadri in Pali District	Two mandapas facing each of the four openings of the central shrine
post-13th century AD			and one mandapa facing each of the two openings of the four corner' shrines.
			All these comprise an enclosing cloiscardinal openings,
			each topped by a double-storied mandapa, raised on a lofty platform.
			Have vast, airy interiors, bold heights and beautiful ceilings.

Late Hindu	Jagdeesh	Udaipur
post-13th century AD
	Jagat Shiromani	Amber

	Eiclingji	Eiclingji

	Keshorai Patan	Bundi District

Funerary shrines	Mandore	Jodhpur

	Ahad	Udaipur

	Gaitore	Jaipur

Bhumij	Bhand Deora	Ramgarh, north-east of Baran	Ascending string of mini-spires,
			set between the four cardinal bands of the spire over the sanctum.

	Mahaleshvara	Menal in Bhilwara District

	Undeshvara	Bijoiya in Bhilwara District

	Sun	Jhalarapatan

	Dev Somanth	Dungarpur	Excudes a rugged charm with a distinguished spire over the sanctum.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply