Hindola Torana, Gyaraspur, Madhya Pradesh

Hindola Torana, Gyaraspur, Madhya Pradesh

Hindola Torana is an entrance arch of a long last temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Gyaraspur Town in Gyaraspur Tehsil in Vidisha District in Madhya Pradesh, India. This Torana is situated next to the Chaukhamba Temple. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

Gyaraspur was an important town in medieval India. It has several ruins of ancient Hindu, Jain and Buddhist places of worship dated between 9th to 10th century CE. The name Gyaraspur is derived from a fair held at the eleventh month of the Hindu calendar, gyaras means joy at the eleventh. Gyaraspur is also famous for a Salabhanjika sculpture, currently housed in Gwalior Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum (Gwalior Fort Museum). The sculpture is considered an exceptional beauty by renowned historians. She is also called as Indian Venus or Gyaraspur Lady. The torana was built in 10^th century CE by Kachchhapaghata rulers.

The Temple

This Torana is called as Hindola Torana as it looks like a platform for a swing, however, it was an ornamental entrance arch connected to the long last temple once existed here. This temple might have faced towards east and might have been dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Hindu trinity. The temple is believed to have been 150 ft east to west and 85 ft north to south.

The Chaukhamba situated little away from the torana is considered to the remains of the mandapa of that temple. Dasavathara (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are carved on the door jambs of the torana. The pillars carry two horizontal beams with two ornamental arches between the two beams. This gateway is considered as the southern entrance to the temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Gyaraspur Bus Stand, 26 Kms from Gulab Ganj Railway Station, 36 Kms from Vidisha Railway Station, 37 Kms from Vidisha, 46 Kms from Sanchi, 75 Kms from Sagar, 95 Kms from Bhopal and 100 Kms from Bhopal Airport. Gyaraspur is situated on Vidisha to Sagar route. Buses are regularly available from Vidisha to Gyaraspur.

Location