Buddhist Temple, Aihole, Karnataka

Buddhist Temple, Aihole, Karnataka

Buddhist Temple is an ancient Buddhist monument, located on the banks of the Malaprabha river in Aihole, an historical town, in Bagalkot District in Karnataka, India. This Temple is considered as the only Buddhist Monument in Aihole. This Buddhist Temple (Chaitya and Vihara) is situated on the slope of the Meguti Hill just below the hilltop and Meguti Hill Jain Temple. Meguti hill is situated to the south east of the Aihole Town. The views of the whole Malaprabha valley as far as Pattadakal can be seen from the hill top.

History

The Temple is believed to be built in 6^th century CE by Badami Chalukyas. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This Buddhist Temple (Chaitya and Vihara) is situated on the slope of the Meguti Hill. It is partly rock-cut two-storey structure. It is partly excavated into the surrounding rock and the porch is structural. The porches at the two levels are open and consists of four-square shaped pillars and two pilasters on two side walls.

The porch is followed by a chamber carved into the cliff face. The doorway to the lower level chamber is intricately carved. The central bay on the upper level has a Buddha relief showing him seated under a parasol. His right hand shows vitarka mudra and the left hand shows dhyana mudra. He is seated on a lotus, with a prabha behind his head. The chambers are empty now.

There is a 3-foot-tall headless statue of Buddha in front of the temple. It might have been housed in the chamber in ancient time. There is an inscription on the pillar of the lower storey that mentions about one Bhikshu Mahendra, a disciple of Ananda Stavira (Ananda Thera) belonging to the Pindavadi school of Buddhism. There is a small cave near the temple having  inscriptions in Kannada.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Aihole Bus Stand. The Temple can be accessed through flight of steps from a lane running besides the Mallikarjuna Temple Complex. Aihole is located at about 13 Kms from Pattadakal, 30 Kms from Badami Railway Station, 33 Kms from Bagalkot Junction Railway Station, 34 Kms from Badami, 38 Kms from Bagalkot, 88 Kms from Gadag, 136 Kms from Hubballi Airport, 164 Kms from Belgaum Airport, 277 Kms from Goa and 446 Kms from Bengaluru. Aihole is situated on Pattadakal to Amingad route.

Location

Badoh – Pathari Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh

Badoh – Pathari Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh

Badoh – Pathari Group of Monuments are group pf Hindu Temples, Jain Temples, Rock Cut Cave Temples and Buddhist Monuments spread across the Badoh and Pathari Villages in Kurwai Taluk in Vidisha District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The monuments has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/11/badoh-pathari-group-of-monuments-history.html

The Group of Monuments

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/11/badoh-pathari-group-of-monuments.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Pathari Bus Stop, 13 Kms from Rasoolpur, 21 Kms from Khurai Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Khurai, 23 Kms from Khurai Railway Station, 34 Kms from Kurwai, 37 Kms from Gyaraspur, 40 Kms from Bina, 72 Kms from Vidisha, 130 Kms from Bhopal and 136 Kms from Bhopal Airport. The Temple is situated on Khurai to Gyaraspur route via Rasoolpur.

Location

Kyark Raithal Group of Temples, Uttarakhand

Kyark Raithal Group of Temples, Uttarakhand

Kyark Raithal Group of Temples are cluster of Hindu Temples, located near Raithal Village in Bhatwari Tehsil in Uttarkashi District in Uttarakhand, India. The temples are believed to be built by Katyuri Kings between 6^th to 8^th century CE. This temple is a protected monument under the Uttarakhand state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Group of Temples

This Temple cluster consists of five temples. The temples are located in the middle of pastoral lands, little away from the village. All the temples in the cluster faces towards west. There is a newly constructed Shani temple from the remains of an ancient time. This cluster also has an unfinished sun temple. The other temples in the complex are in dilapidated state. One temple is completely vanished. A Shiva Linga, a damaged Nandi, Buddhist relics  and architectural fragments can be seen among the ruins.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Bhatwari, 37 Kms from Uttarkashi, 73 Kms from Gangotri, 178 Kms from Dehradun, 192 Kms from Dehradun Airport, 201 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station and 205 Kms from Rishikesh. The temple is situated on Uttarkashi to Gangotri route.

Location

Dhaikinath Stupa, Gyaraspur, Madhya Pradesh

Dhaikinath Stupa, Gyaraspur, Madhya Pradesh

Dhaikinath Stupa is a Buddhist Monument located on the slopes of a hill at Gyaraspur Town in Gyaraspur Tehsil in Vidisha District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The Stupa has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

Gyaraspur was an important town in medieval India. It has several ruins of ancient Hindu, Jain and Buddhist places of worship dated between 9th to 10th century CE. The name Gyaraspur is derived from a fair held at the eleventh month of the Hindu calendar, gyaras means joy at the eleventh. Gyaraspur is also famous for a Salabhanjika sculpture, currently housed in Gwalior Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum (Gwalior Fort Museum). The sculpture is considered an exceptional beauty by renowned historians. She is also called as Indian Venus or Gyaraspur Lady. The Stupa was built between 6^th – 7^th century CE.

The Stupa

This Stupa was built on a raised platform on the slope of a hill. The stupa is in hemispherical dome shape. The dome rests on a circular berm. A small platform like projections protrude from the berm in each cardinal direction. The railings once housed the image of Buddha can be found scattered at the site. There are images of Buddha kept in the sculpture shed, are found from this stupa.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Gyaraspur Bus Stand, 27 Kms from Gulab Ganj Railway Station, 37 Kms from Vidisha Railway Station, 38 Kms from Vidisha, 47 Kms from Sanchi, 76 Kms from Sagar, 96 Kms from Bhopal and 101 Kms from Bhopal Airport. Gyaraspur is situated on Vidisha to Sagar route. Buses are regularly available from Vidisha to Gyaraspur.

Location

Sirpur Stupa, Chattisgarh

Sirpur Stupa, Chattisgarh

Sirpur Stupa is an ancient Buddhist Stupa, located in Sirpur Village in Mahasamund District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Sirpur Stupa has been excavated recently. It is believed to be built by Emperor Ashoka. This place is not known to many in Sirpur and road to this place is also not well maintained. Sirpur Stupa has been declared of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.  Sirpur is a pilgrimage site for the followers of Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. 

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/06/sirpur-group-of-monuments-history.html

Connectivity

Sirpur is located at about 37 Kms from Mahasamund, 38 Kms from Mahasamund Railway Station, 45 Kms from Arang, 74 Kms from Raipur Airport and 82 Kms from Raipur. Sirpur Village is situated on the banks of the river Mahanadi in Mahasamund District in the state of Chhattisgarh. Sirpur is accessible from Raipur by a four-lane National Highway 53. Regular bus services connect Raipur and Sirpur. The nearest railway station is Mahasamund Railway Station. The nearest airport is the Swami Vivekananda airport at Raipur with daily flights to major cities in India.

Location

Swastika Vihara, Sirpur, Chattisgarh

Swastika Vihara, Sirpur, Chattisgarh

Swastika Vihara is a Buddhist Monastery located in Sirpur Village in Mahasamund District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is situated near Ananda Prabhu Vihara. The Vihara is known as Swastik Vihara as it resembles the swastika symbol in aerial view.  This Vihara has been declared of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.  Sirpur is a pilgrimage site for the followers of Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. 

History

Swastika Vihara came into light during the excavations of 1953 – 55 by M G Dixit.

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/06/sirpur-group-of-monuments-history.html

The Vihara

The Vihara is known as Swastik Vihara as it resembles the swastika symbol in aerial view. The Vihara stands on a high platform made of bricks. The entrance is completely built of dressed stone. It has been observed that the outer wall of the monastery has been provided with an additional layer of construction at a later date possibly to strengthen the structure.

The Sanctum houses a 2.5-meter-high colossal image of Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra. Buddha is shown with Padamapani, carrying a fly-whisk in one hand and another hand is on his waist. There is a red sand stone sculpture of Hariti in the premises. This sculpture was found during recent excavation.

Connectivity

Sirpur is located at about 37 Kms from Mahasamund, 38 Kms from Mahasamund Railway Station, 45 Kms from Arang, 74 Kms from Raipur Airport and 82 Kms from Raipur. Sirpur Village is situated on the banks of the river Mahanadi in Mahasamund District in the state of Chhattisgarh. Sirpur is accessible from Raipur by a four-lane National Highway 53. Regular bus services connect Raipur and Sirpur. The nearest railway station is Mahasamund Railway Station. The nearest airport is the Swami Vivekananda airport at Raipur with daily flights to major cities in India.

Location

Teevardev Vihara, Sirpur, Chattisgarh

Teevardev Vihara, Sirpur, Chattisgarh

Teevardev Vihara is a Buddhist Monastery located in Sirpur Village in Mahasamund District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The Vihara is considered as the biggest monastery in Dakshin Kosala region. The Vihara is situated about 1 Km from Lakshmana Temple. This Vihara has been declared of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.  Sirpur is a pilgrimage site for the followers of Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. 

History

As per the foundation inscription, the monastery was built by Somavanshi King Teevardev in 7^th – 8^th Century CE. It remained in use during reign of his nephew Harshagupta and grandson Maha Shivagupta Balarjuna. The Vihara was exposed during excavation in the year 2003,

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/06/sirpur-group-of-monuments-history.html

The Vihara

This is a west facing vihara. It consists of sanctum, pillared Mandapam and Ardha mandapam. The pillared mandapa has corridors on all sides with a small tank at the centre meant for ablution. The Sanctum houses a large idol of Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra on a decorated pedestal. The idol of Buddha is flanked by two female devotees, one on either side. The doorway in the Vihara is worth mentioning.

It depicts scenes of Buddha's life and Panchatantra stories (friendship of crocodile and monkey, the snake catching frog, fighting bison, honey bees, birds, erotic couple and animal figures). All these scenes are profusely carved in the doorway. Small cells with opening to the corridor are provided on the northern and southern sides possibly tor the residential purpose.

Connectivity

Sirpur is located at about 37 Kms from Mahasamund, 38 Kms from Mahasamund Railway Station, 45 Kms from Arang, 74 Kms from Raipur Airport and 82 Kms from Raipur. Sirpur Village is situated on the banks of the river Mahanadi in Mahasamund District in the state of Chhattisgarh. Sirpur is accessible from Raipur by a four-lane National Highway 53. Regular bus services connect Raipur and Sirpur. The nearest railway station is Mahasamund Railway Station. The nearest airport is the Swami Vivekananda airport at Raipur with daily flights to major cities in India.

Location | Photos

Ananda Prabhu Vihara, Sirpur, Chattisgarh

Ananda Prabhu Vihara, Sirpur, Chattisgarh

Ananda Prabhu Vihara is a Buddhist Monastery located in Sirpur Village in Mahasamund District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The Vihara had a temple and 14 room monastery. This Vihara has been declared of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.  Sirpur is a pilgrimage site for the followers of Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. 

History

Ananda Prabhu Kuti Vihara was built by Buddhist Monk Anand Prabhu (also called as Ananda Prabha in few inscriptions), under the patronage of Hindu King Maha Sivagupta Balarjuna. This vihara was excavated during 1953-55 excavation carried out by M G Dixit. There is a foundation inscription dated to 7^th – 8^th Century CE found during excavations. The inscription clearly states that the monastery was built by Buddhist Monk Anand Prabhu during the reign of King Maha Sivagupta Balarjuna.

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/06/sirpur-group-of-monuments-history.html

The Vihara

The Vihara had a temple and 14 room monastery. Dvarapalas carved on stone pillars can be found at the main entrance. The temple consists of Ardha Mandapa, a pillared mandapa and Sanctum. The sanctum houses a colossal image of Buddha (6.5 ft. height). He is accompanied with Padampani, shown carrying a lotus stalk in one hand and showing abhaya mudra in his other hand. He is depicted in Bhumisparsha Mudra (posture of touching the earth).

Connectivity

Sirpur is located at about 37 Kms from Mahasamund, 38 Kms from Mahasamund Railway Station, 45 Kms from Arang, 74 Kms from Raipur Airport and 82 Kms from Raipur. Sirpur Village is situated on the banks of the river Mahanadi in Mahasamund District in the state of Chhattisgarh. Sirpur is accessible from Raipur by a four-lane National Highway 53. Regular bus services connect Raipur and Sirpur. The nearest railway station is Mahasamund Railway Station. The nearest airport is the Swami Vivekananda airport at Raipur with daily flights to major cities in India.

Location