Kalayat Ancient Bricks Temple Complex – The Temple Complex

Kalayat Ancient Bricks Temple Complex – The Temple Complex

The temple complex is situated on the banks of Kapilayatana Tirtha / Kapil Muni Tirth. The temple complex comprises of several Hindu temples, including two ancient temples dating back to 7^th century CE. The ancient temples were built in Gurjara Pratihara style of architecture. The layout of the temple complex indicates that the temple follows Panchayatana style of architecture. Panchayatana is an architectural style where the main shrine is built on a raised platform with four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners and making it a total of five shrines.

The ancient temples were made of red bricks without using any mortar or plaster. Only two temples survived to this date. One temple remains better preserved whereas the other temple underwent extensive modifications. These temples are the best surviving specimens of north Indian temple in this region belonging to pre-Muslim era. The brick temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is pancharatha on plan. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and mandapa. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga. The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style of Gurjara Pratihara architecture.

The shikara has miniature chaitya window themes created on a decoratively arched frontage. The style is used repeatedly and slowly withdrawn in the corners of the temple. The center of the temple is beautifully decorated and looks like an inspiring canopy. The bricks used in the temple are beautifully carved with floral and other designs without any mortar. There are stairs at the back leading to the Kapil Muni Tirtha, where pilgrims take a bath before worship. There are temples of Katyayini Devi, Hanuman and Akhara in the temple complex.

Kalayat Ancient Bricks Temple Complex, Haryana

Kalayat Ancient Bricks Temple Complex, Haryana

Kalayat Ancient Bricks Temple Complex is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kalayat City in Kaithal District in the Indian State of Haryana. This temple constitutes an important point in the series of 48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra. This temple complex is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, King Salivahana, the ruler of Kaithal, was cursed to death and was terrified by the danger coming on his way. He touched the soil of this place and was relieved from his curse. He realized the sacredness of the place. In gratitude, he built five brick temples here.

History

The temples are believed to be built in 7^th century CE. It is said that five brick temples existed in the temple complex and were built in Gurjara Pratihara style. Only two temples survived to this date. One temple remains better preserved whereas the other temple underwent extensive modifications. These temples are the best surviving specimens of north Indian temple in this region belonging to pre-Muslim era. Kalayat was known as Kapilayat and Kapilayatana in ancient times, named after the sage Kapila, the preacher of Sankhya darshan of Indian philosophy.

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/11/kalayat-ancient-bricks-temple-complex.html

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Kalayat Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Kalayat Railway Station, 20 Kms from Narwana, 25 Kms from Kaithal, 50 Kms from Jind, 76 Kms from Kurukshetra, 153 Kms from Chandigarh, 196 Kms from New Delhi Airport and 199 Kms from New Delhi. The temple is situated on Narwana to Kaithal route.

Location

Khakra Math Temple, Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh

Khakra Math Temple, Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh

Khakra Math Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Mahoba City in Mahoba District in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India. The Temple is situated in the middle of Madan Sagar. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

The Temple is situated in the middle of Madan Sagar and built of red granite stone. This temple is facing towards east and is in dilapidated state. The Temple follows Bhumija style of architecture. It might be the first temple built in this style in Bundelkhand region. The temple consists of sanctum, vestibule and maha mandapa. The maha mandapa can be accessed from three sides.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Mahoba Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Mahoba Junction Railway Station, 51 Kms from Chhatarpur, 77 Kms from Khajuraho, 79 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 158 Kms from Jhansi and 236 Kms from Lucknow. Mahoba is situated on Lucknow to Bhopal route.

Location

Nebia Khera Brick Temple, Uttar Pradesh

Nebia Khera Brick Temple, Uttar Pradesh

Nebia Khera Brick Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Nebia Khera Village in Kanpur Dehat District of Uttar Pradesh, India. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple is believed to be built in 9^th century CE. The temple was initially a Vishnu Temple based on the carving of Gajalakshmi on the lintel but got converted to Shiva Temple during later period.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east and built over raised platform. This brick temple is built in the Panchayatana style of architecture. Panchayatana is an architectural style where the main shrine is built on a raised platform with four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners and making it a total of five shrines. Out of four subsidiary shrines, three shrines are built at the corner and one is built in line with the northern wall of the main shrine.

The central shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and mandapa. The mandapa is lost completely. The antrala has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the main tower. The sanctum is square internally but externally it is dvadasha bhadra. The base of the doorjamb of the sanctum has sculptures of river goddess Ganga and Yamuna. An image of Lakshmi can be seen at the center of the lintel of the sanctum door.

Navagrahas are seen depicted on the architrave above the door lintel. The central shrine follows Latina shikara of Nagara style architecture. The niches are provided on the external walls of the sanctum however all are empty at present. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Bhadresvara, in the form of  Shiva Linga.

There is a panel containing images of Kartikeya and Veerabhadra on the interior wall behind the Linga. However, the images are highly eroded beyond recognition. The subsidiary shrines follows similar style in construction and materials used. The entrance to these shrines are triangular in shape. All these shrines are empty at present.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Bhadwara Bus Stop, 10 Kms from Jahanabad, 12 Kms from Ghatampur, 12 Kms from Ghatampur Railway Station, 12 Kms from Ghatampur Bus Stand, 50 Kms from Kanpur, 51 Kms from Kanpur Airport and 135 Kms from Lucknow. The Temple is situated at about 500 metres from Bhadwara on the Ghatampur to Jahanabad road.

Location

Sitabani Temple, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand

Sitabani Temple, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand

Sitabani Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Sita located inside the Sitabani Reserve near Ramnagar Town in Ramnagar Tehsil in Nainital District in Uttarakhand, India. The temple is situated inside the Sitabani Reserve near the famous Jim Corbett National Park.

Legends

As per legend, the temple is believed to be the hermitage of Sage Valmiki, the author of Ramayana. It is said that Sita lived in this place during her exile before facing the Agni Pariksha. She entered into the lap of Mother Earth here during Agni Pariksha. Hence, the place came to be called as Sitabani / Sitavani.

The Temple

The temple is situated inside the Sitabani Reserve. The temple is actually a twin shrine. The principal shrine enshrines an image of goddess Sita with her sons Lav and Kush. The shrine next to it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is an ancient temple dedicated to Sage Valmiki is also situated in the reserve. Few amlaka stones, a headless image of dancing Ganesha, doorjambs and architectural fragments can be found scattered around the temple premises.

There is a Kund located at lower level opposite to the temple. Sitabani reserve is famous for bird watching. The dense Sal forests of the reserve is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, spotted deer, sambhar, wild boar etc. There are about 35 Royal Bengal tigers in this reserve. Sitabani is open throughout the year for Safari tour and there is no limit of vehicles entering the area. Sitabani forest department issues permit for this safari.

Festivals

Rama Navami is celebrated here with much fanfare. A fair is conducted during Rama Navami.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 23 Kms from Ramnagar, 23 Kms from Ramnagar Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Ramnagar Railway Station, 50 Kms from Kashipur, 73 Kms from Nainital, 81 Kms from Pantnagar Airport and 240 Kms from Dehradun. Ramnagar is gateway to the Jim Corbett National Park. There are regular buses from Ramnagar to Nainital, Ranikhet, Haldwani, Tanakpur, Haridwar, Dehradun, Kashipur, Moradabad, Meerut and Delhi. Bus services are also available to Jaipur. National Highway 121 which starts from Kashipur and ends at Bubakhal, Uttarakhand passes through Ramnagar.

Location

Narayan Koti Group of Temples, Uttarakhand

Narayan Koti Group of Temples, Uttarakhand

Narayan Koti Group of Temples are group of Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Narayan Koti Village in Ukhimath Tehsil in Rudra Prayag District in Uttarakhand State, India. This temple complex is state protected monument under Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, Lord Krishna showed his one crore Narayana forms to the Pandavas when they were in bad mood for not been able to meet Lord Shiva.

History

The temples were believed to be built in 9^th century CE. The temple group is mentioned in Kedarkhand.

The Group of Temples

The temple complex contains around thirty ancient temples. The major temple is dedicated to Lakshmi Narayana. The temple complex houses the temples of all nine planets namely Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Sun, Moon, Rahu and Ketu. It is unique to see all temples in the same temple complex. The temple complex also houses temples of Veerabhadra and Satya Narayana. The temple complex has a Kund named Virabhadra Kund / Brahma Kund. Two streams namely Ganga and Yamuna flow into the Kund.

Connectivity

The temple complex is located at about 3.5 Kms from Guptkashi Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Guptkashi, 19 Kms from Ukhimath, 27 Kms from Sonprayag, 47 Kms from Rudraprayag, 180 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station, 183 Kms from Rishikesh, 206 Kms from Haridwar, 197 Kms from Dehradun Airport and 220 Kms from Dehradun. The temple complex is situated at about 4 Kms from Guptkashi on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway.

Location