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