Murayata Group of Temples, Kadwaya, Madhya Pradesh

Murayata Group of Temples, Kadwaya, Madhya Pradesh

Murayata 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 name Murayata is considered as a corrupt form of Mattamayura. 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 Murayata Group of Temples consists of two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Murayata Temple A (Toteshvara Mahadeva Temple):

This temple is the largest in the group and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is facing towards east and located on the west of the tank. This temple is considered as the most developed temple in terms of its plan, elevation, components, and sculptures. The temple stands over a raised platform and can be accessed through flight of steps. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and mukha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Toteshvara Mahadeva, in the form of Shiva Linga with in circular yonipitha.

The door jamb of the sanctum is profusely carved and embellished with seven bands of decorations. The lintel is decorated with Ganesha in seated posture at the central position. The architrave is carved with images of Lord Shiva with his consort at the central position and Lord Brahma & Lord Vishnu with their respective consorts at the terminal projections. The shikara over the sanctum follows Nagara Latina style. The shikara over the sanctum is connected to a low protrusion tower called Sukanasi (tower over the antrala). 

The mandapa is surrounded by parapet walls provided with kakshasana on the interior and supported by intricately carved pillars. The exterior wall is decorated with two bands of images. The kapili niche on the south has image of Uma Mahesvara in the upper band while sculptures of the lower band and niches on the northern kapili are missing. The walls are decorated with sculptures of nayikas, vyalas, dancers, mithunas, and others. Also, a band of sculptures run across the roof of the sanctum and the mukhamandapa. Sculptures of Tripurantaka, Chamunda, Ashta dikpalas, etc. can be seen on this band.

Murayata Temple B:

This temple is a unique temple with twin sanctums on the eastern and the western side. The temple is pancharatha on plan. A similar temple with back to back sanctums is also seen at Khajuraho. The eastern sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga within a yonipitha. The lintel of the doorjamb has images of Shiva at the central position and Brahma & Vishnu at the terminal projections. The doorjamb of the western sanctum has a grooved lintel architrave. The central bhadra niche on the north shows Nataraja in the upper level & Parvathy in the lower level and the southern bhadra niche shows Nardana Ganesha in the lower level.

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