Basvi Rock Cut Temple, Dharampuri, Madhya Pradesh

Basvi Rock Cut Temple, Dharampuri, Madhya Pradesh

Basvi rock cut Temple is an ancient monolithic rock-cut temple located at Basvi Village in Dharampuri Taluk in Dhar District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on a hill slope on the bank of the Koram. a tributary of the Narmada River. The temple is similar to the Kailasha temple of Ellora in architecture in miniature version. Basvi is also called as Vasvi.

History

The Temple is datable to 8^th century CE based on its architectural style. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Temple

This temple is an unfinished rock-cut temple and is facing towards east. The temple measures 12m east-west and 7.75 m north-south. The temple was exposed 6.5 m from sikhara downwards. The temple has on plan mukha mandapa, mandapa, antarala and sanctum. The sanctum is pancharatha on plan. The sikhara portion is partly broken and is decorated with mithuna. kirtimukha and chaitya arches. There is a sukanasi over the antrala. A deity is carved on the maha nasa portion of the sukanasi.

The varandika portion is decorated with a series of miniature niches carved with mithuna couples. There is a carving of lotus with a kalasa on the top of the mandapa. Four seated lions can be seen on all the cardinal directions on the top of the mandapa. Out of the four lions one is seated on an elephant. There is an ornamental rock cut sealed elephant decorated with chain and bell designs at the centre of the mukha mandapa.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Dhamnod, 20 Kms from Khalghat, 30 Kms from Dharampuri, 51 Kms from Mhow Railway Station, 54 Kms from Dhar, 79 Kms from Indore, 82 Kms from Indore Airport and 270 Kms from Bhopal. The temple is situated at about 4 Kms off the Indore to Nashik route.

Location