Dasavathara Group of Temples, Badoh, Madhya Pradesh

Dasavathara Group of Temples, Badoh, Madhya Pradesh

Dasavathara Group of Temples is a Hindu Temple Complex dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Badoh Village in Kurwai Taluk in Vidisha District in Madhya Pradesh, India. This temple complex has several small ruined shrines. It is believed that these shrines housed various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The group of temples were believed to be built between 8^th and 10^th century CE. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/11/badoh-pathari-group-of-monuments-history.html

The Group of Temples

The group of temples are named after the Dasavathara temple in this group. The group consists of several Vaishnavite affiliated temples. Almost all the temples are in ruined state. There is a huge unfinished image of Varaha can be seen in the group.

Temple No. 1:

This Temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum and mandapa. The mandapa is completely lost except few portions of its floor.  The sanctum is square and triratha in plan. There is no deity in the sanctum except a rectangular pedestal. It is believed that sanctum would have enshrined a form of Lord Vishnu. The inner walls of  the  sanctum are plain.  

The lintel of the sanctum doorway has an image of Vishnu riding over garuda at the central location flanked by Vidyadhara and Mithuna figures. The architrave is adorned with ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The door jambs has three bands of decoration and has river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna at its base.

The exterior walls of the sanctum are plain but the  central  bhadra is adorned with sculptures in the niches and floral motifs at the base. The bhadra niches houses Narasimha on the south, Trivikrama on the west  and Bhoovaraha on the north. The southern portion of the roof over the sanctum is missing. The shikara over the sanctum is lost completely.

Temple No. 2:

This Temple is facing towards west and situated to the north eastern side of the Temple No 1. It stands over a low raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and pillared mandapa. The Mandapa is supported by two pillars and pilasters having seating arrangement on either side. There is no deity inside the sanctum.

It is believed that sanctum would have enshrined a form of Lord Vishnu. The lintel of the sanctum doorway has an image of Vishnu over garuda at the central location flanked by Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. The door jambs has three bands of decoration and has river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna at its base. The shikara over the sanctum is lost completely.

Dashavatara Temple:

The Temple is situated to the south east of the Temple No. 1. The temple consists of an entrance porch, pillared mandapa and sanctum in the form of long mandapa. The temple once housed the Dashavatara images of Lord Vishnu in its sanctum. The sanctum does not contain any of these sculptures currently.

Remains of a Trikuta (triple shrine) Temple:

Ruins of a trikuta temple can be seen among this group. This temple is believed to be built by the rulers of Kacchapaghata in 10^th century CE. This temple has three shrines facing towards north sharing a common Sabha Mandapa. This temple is similar to the Bajramath Jain temple of Gyaraspur in plan.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Pathari Bus Stop, 14 Kms from Rasoolpur, 19 Kms from Khurai Bus Stand, 20 Kms from Khurai, 21 Kms from Khurai Railway Station, 33 Kms from Kurwai, 38 Kms from Gyaraspur, 39 Kms from Bina, 74 Kms from Vidisha, 132 Kms from Bhopal and 137 Kms from Bhopal Airport. The Temple is situated on Khurai to Gyaraspur route via Rasoolpur.

Location