Baroli Temple Complex, Rawatbhata – The Temple Complex

Baroli Temple Complex, Rawatbhata – The Temple Complex

The temple complex consists of eight temples, situated within a walled enclosure. All the temples are built in the Gurjara Pratihara style of temple architecture dated to the tenth century A.D. The temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha. Three temples namely Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple, Trimurti Temple and Ashta Mata Temple in the temple complex have preserved their nagara style shikara. Two other temples have partly preserved shikaras, another two have damaged brick built shikaras and another two have completely lost their superstructures.

The Temples

Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple:

The Ghateshwara Mahadeva temple is the most prominent and the largest temple in the temple complex. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Mukha Mandapa. The Mukha Mandapa is supported by six pillars and entered through a makara torana. The pillars of the mukha mandapa are richly carved with Sura Sundaris. The ceiling of the mukhamandapa has a concentric form adorned with coffered cusps.

Nandi can be found in front of Mukha Mandapa facing the sanctum. The Sanctum is Pancharatha on plan. The Sanctum houses five Shiva Lingas. The central Linga looks like an inverted ghata (pot). Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Ghateshwara. The ceiling of the sanctum is in the form of large blossoming lotus. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style. Andhakantaka, Nataraja and Chamunda are the niche idols located around the exterior walls of the sanctum.

Sringar Chauri:

Sringar Chauri, also called as Ranga Mandapa (the hall of dance), is situated in front of the Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple. This structure is added to the temple during the later part of 10^th century CE. It is a large pillared hall, built over a raised platform. The transepts of the hall have co-axial entrances, both on the east and the west, enclosed by kakshasana balustrades. The structure rests on four highly ornate central pillars and twenty simple peripheral pillars. The pillars of this hall are richly decorated with sculptures of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and various forms of Lord Shiva.

Ashta Mata Temple:

The Temple is also known as Mahishasura Mardini Temple. This Temple is facing towards east. It is situated to the south of Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Mukha Mandapa. The entrance door to the sanctum has three panels.

Goddess Maheshwari in dancing posture can be seen on the lintel. Goddess Parvati can be seen in the central niche in Sukanasa. The Sanctum is Pancharatha on plan. The sanctum is empty. The sanctum would have enshrined Mahishasura Mardini in the ancient past. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style.

Ganesha Temple:

This temple is facing towards south. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The temple consists of Sanctum and a frontal porch. The Sanctum is triratha on plan. The structure of the main temple is built with stones while the superstructure of the shikara is made with bricks. The door is devoid of any decorations. The arms and feet of the image of Ganesha have been chopped off by the invading Islamic armies.

Trimurti Temple:

This temple is facing towards east and is partially damaged. It is situated in the south east of the temple complex. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The temple consists of Sanctum, Antrala and Mukha Mandapa. The Mukha Mandapa has been damaged. The Sanctum is Pancharatha on plan. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara style. Nataraja can be seen as the central image at the lintel of the entrance of the sanctum. The Sanctum enshrines a Trimurti Shiva (Lord Shiva with three heads). The idol is defaced during the Islamic invasion in this region.

Vamana Temple:

This temple is facing towards east and situated next to Ashta Mata Temple. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. This temple is considered as the smallest temple in the entire temple complex. The temple originally consisted of a sanctum, antrala and a frontal porch. Now, only the sanctum and antrala remains. The sanctum is covered with a flat slab as a ceiling. It enshrines a four-armed image of Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The image is about 3 feet tall.

Shiva Temple:

This Temple is situated in the middle of the temple tank. This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. This temple is facing towards east and is Pancharatha on plan. The temple consists of Sanctum and a pillared frontal porch. It enshrines a Shiva Linga in the sanctum.

Sheshashyan Temple:

This temple is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The temple suffered destruction during Islamic invasion. The temple consists of Sanctum and a frontal porch. The Sanctum is rectangular in plan. The entrance door of the sanctum is devoid of any decorations. The shikara over the sanctum is missing.

Kund:

The tank is situated to the north of the Ghateshwara Mahadeva Temple. It is square on plan. This tank is believed to be built during 10^th century CE. The tank can be approached from three sides i.e. east, west and south. The access from the south side is through a long series of descending steps.