Gupta Brick Temple, Bhitargaon, Uttar Pradesh

Gupta Brick Temple, Bhitargaon, Uttar Pradesh

Gupta Brick Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Bhitargaon Village in Ghatampur Tehsil in Kanpur Nagar District in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the earliest and the largest surviving brick temples of India. The temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legends, Lord Shiva decided to perform intense penance. Lord Shiva requested Lord Vishnu to take care of the burden of the earth in his absence. Initially, Lord Vishnu was reluctant to agree. Later he agreed with a condition that if Lord Shiva give his base for bearing the burden of the earth. In memory of this event, the idol of Lord Vishnu of this temple can be seen standing over the argha of the Linga.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 5^th century CE during the Gupta period. It is one of the earliest surviving brick temples of India. Alexander Cunningham (First Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, 1871) made two visits to this temple between November 1877 and February 1878. He recorded his visits in the report of the Gangetic Provinces 1875-76 and 1877-78.

The earliest photographs of the temple were taken by Beglar, assistant of Cunningham in 1878. The temple was in dilapidated state till the end of 19^th century CE. The current structure was reconstructed from the remains in 1905. As per local folklore, the village was middle part of an ancient city named Pushpur / Phulpur. 

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and is a unique specimen of the brick architecture of the early Gupta period. The temple is about 68.25 feet tall. The temple stands over a low raised platform. The platform measures 36 feet x 47 feet. The temple is triratha on plan with projection on all sides. The temple is built on a square plan with double-recessed corners. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and entrance porch.

The entrance into the antrala shows one of the first uses of a semicircular doorway. The sanctum is square on plan and measures 15 feet x 15 feet internally. The sanctum is empty now. The sanctum is crowned with a tall pyramidical shikhara. This shikhara became the standard feature of the Nagara temple architecture of India.

The interior of the temple is plain but on the outside it is decorated with carved brickwork and numerous terracotta panels. The external walls of the temple are decorated with terracotta panels enshrining images of Shiva & Parvati seated together, an eight-armed Vishnu, Mahishasura Mardini, Varaha and four armed Ganesha, etc. The panels are separated by ornamental pilasters.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 07.00 AM in the mornings till 07.00 PM in the evenings.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 10 Kms from Sarh, 14 Kms from Ghatampur Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Ghatampur Railway Station, 15 Kms from Ghatampur, 17 Kms from Jahanabad, 33 Kms from Kanpur and 107 Kms from Lucknow Airport. The temple is situated on Ghatampur to Sarh route.

Location