Khirna Group of Temples, Kadwaya, Madhya Pradesh

Khirna Group of Temples, Kadwaya, Madhya Pradesh

Khirna Group of Temples are group of Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kadwaya Village in Isagarh Tehsil in Ashok Nagar District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The Kadwaya village is famous for its temples, sculptures and structures such as monasteries, ruined mosque, wells, tanks and baodi.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2022/02/kadwaya-temples-history.html

The Group of Temples

The Khirna Group of Temples consists of two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Temple A:

This temple is facing towards west and considered as the largest temple in the group. The temple is pancharatha on plan. The temple consisted of sanctum and mandapa. The mandapa is completely lost. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a yonipitha. The door jamb of the sanctum is profusely carved and embellished with five bands of decorations. The lintel of the doorjamb has images of Shiva in seated posture at the central position and Brahma & Vishnu at the terminal projections. Navagrahas and Sapta Matrikas can be seen in the recesses.

The river goddesses Ganga & Yamuna with female attendants can be seen at the base of the doorjamb. The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style. The amalaka of the shikhara is intact but the kalasha is missing. The exterior wall is decorated with two bands of images. The bhadra niches has images of Uma Maheshvara in the upper level & Nataraja in the lower row on the north, Uma Maheshvara in the upper level and eight armed Kartikeya in the lower level on the south and Brahma in seated posture in the upper level and Chamunda in dancing posture in the lower level on the east.

Lord Shiva with his consort Parvati, Lord Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha with his consort Vighnesvari and Lord Brahma with his consort Savitri can be seen in the kapilis. Apsaras can be seen in the pratiratha projections in both rows and dikpalas in the lower level & Shaivite figures in the upper level can be seen in the karnas. The salilantaras has images of apsaras and vyalas in the upper and lower level.

Temple B:

This temple is facing towards west and situated to the left side of the Temple A. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada on elevation. The temple stands over a low raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by two pillars and two pilasters. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a yonipitha. An image of goddess Parvati can be seen behind the Linga on the rear wall of the sanctum.

The ceiling of the sanctum is carved with a full-blown lotus encircled by a floral square border. The door jamb of the sanctum is profusely carved and embellished with five bands of decorations. The lintel of the doorjamb has images of Shiva at the central position and Brahma & Vishnu at the terminal projections. Navagrahas and Sapta Matrikas can be seen in the recesses. The architrave is carved with images of eleven Rudras. The river goddesses Ganga & Yamuna can be seen at the base of the doorjamb.

The shikara over the sanctum is lost completely. The external walls of vimana are decorated with niches adorning various images. The bhadra niches has images of Parvati on the north, Surya on the east and Ganesha on the south. Dikpalas can be seen in their respective position on the karna niches. The kapili niches has images of Nataraja in the north and Parvati in standing posture in the south.

Connectivity

Kadwaya is located at about 18 Kms from Isagarh, 28 Kms from Khaniadhana, 51 Kms from Chanderi, 53 Kms from Ashok Nagar Railway Station, 54 Kms from Ashoknagar, 112 Kms from Jhansi, 245 Kms from Bhopal and 251 Kms from Bhopal Airport. Kadwaya is situated on Khaniadhana to Isagarh route.

Location