Pachhali Marghat Group of Temples, Kadwaya, Madhya Pradesh

Pachhali Marghat Group of Temples, Kadwaya, Madhya Pradesh

Pachhali Marghat Group of Temples are group of Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and 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 Pachhali Marghat Group of Temples consists of two temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. All these temples lost their respective shikaras.

Temple A:

This temple is the largest in the group and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is facing towards west and stands over a raised platform. The temple can be accessed through flight of six steps. The temple is pancharatha on plan. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by two pillars and two pilasters. Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the sanctum enshrines a recently installed Shiva Linga.

The door jamb of the sanctum is profusely carved and embellished with five bands of decorations. The lintel is decorated with Vishnu on his mount Garuda at the central position and Lord Brahma & Lord Shiva at the terminal projections. Navagrahas and Matrikas can be seen in between them. The architrave is carved with images of Dashavataras. The river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna with their respective mounts can be seen at the base of the doorjambs.

The exterior wall is decorated with two bands of images. The bhadra niches has images of Bhoovaraha on the north, Narasimha on the south and the eastern niche is empty. The kapili niches has images of Brahma on the south and Vamana on the north. The pratirathas of the exterior walls are adorned with figures like wrestlers and nayikas.

Temple B:

This temple is facing towards west and situated to the north west of Temple A. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and stands over a raised platform. The temple can be accessed through flight of six steps. The temple consists of sanctum and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by two pillars and two pilasters. The door jamb of the sanctum is profusely carved and embellished with five bands of decorations. The lintel is decorated with Uma Mahesvara at the central position and Brahma with his consort Savitri & Lakshmi Narayana at the terminal projections.

Navagrahas and Vidyadharas can be seen in between them. The architrave is carved with images of Ekadasa Rudras. The river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna with their respective mounts can be seen at the base of the doorjambs. The exterior wall is decorated with single band of images. The bhadra projection in two rows depicts Chamunda and Varuna on the north, Ganesha and Vighnesvari on the south, and Hariharahiranyagarbha on the east.  

The image of Chamunda is depicted with a scorpion in her stomach. Hariharahiranyagarbha on the eastern niche is a very rare and unique image nowhere to be seen. This image is combination of Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and Surya. He is depicted with three heads and eight hands. He holds gada (club), trisula (trident) and snake. Images of swan, bull and garuda is shown at the base.

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