Surya Temple, Aiti, Madhya Pradesh

Surya Temple, Aiti, Madhya Pradesh

Surya Temple  is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Surya located at Aiti Village in Morena Tehsil in Morena District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated close to Bateshwar Group of Temples, Padhawali. The Temple is one of the state protected monuments in Madhya Pradesh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 11^th century CE by Kachchhapaghata rulers.

The Temple

The temple is facing towards west. The temple consists of sanctum and a pillared mukha mandapa on all four sides. The mandapa seems to be of later addition. The base of the doorjambs are carved with images of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna along with their attendants. The center of the lintel is carved with an image of Surya flanked by the images of Uma Mahesvara at both the terminal projections. Sapta Matrikas and Navagrahas are carved on the recesses. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga currently. There is no shikara over the sanctum.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Rethaura Kalan Railway Station, 4 Kms from Rethaura Kalan, 10 Kms from Padhavali, 11 Kms from Bateshwar Group of Temples, 11 Kms from Malanpur, 19 Kms from Gwalior Airport, 22 Kms from Nurabad, 25 Kms from Gwalior, 27 Kms from Gwalior Junction Railway Station and 35 Kms from Morena. The temple is situated on Morena to Malanpur route via Padhavali. The temple can be accessed by an earthen road from Rethaura Kalan.

Location