Chandpur Group of Temples,
Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh
Chandpur Group of Temples are
groups of ancient Chandela era temples located in Chandpur Village in Lalitpur Tehsil
in Lalitpur District of Uttar Pradesh, India. The Temples are mainly dedicated
to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Jain Thirthankaras. Chandpur is known for its extensive
archaeological remains, scattered especially in the east and north west parts. The
group of temples are protected as monuments of national importance by the
central Archaeological Survey of India.
The Group of Temples
Chandpur has majorly five groups
of ancient temples and numerous ancient Chandela ruins in its vicinity.
Sahastralingeshwar Temple Group:
Sahastralingeshwar Temple is the
largest temple in this group. This temple is facing towards east and situated
on the banks of a tank. It consists of sanctum and mukha mandapa. The sanctum
enshrines Sahasra Linga (thousand miniature lingas carved on a single Linga) with
four projecting figures on all four directions. The sanctum is spacious enough to
have circumbulation by devotees. The lintel of the sanctum doorway has relief
of Lord Nataraja at its center.
There is a four pillared mandapa
housing Nandi in front of the sanctum. There is flat roofed shrine with a porch
dedicated to Lord Brahma to the southern side of the Sahastralingeshwar Temple.
The sanctum enshrines a seated image of Lord Brahma with his consort on his lap
but the central figure in the lintel is Lord Vishnu with his consort. The third
shrine is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Only the porch of this shrine remains.
Location
Varaha Temple Group:
The Varaha Temple is situated on
the banks of the tank. It is surrounded by the tank on three sides. The temple
enshrines Varaha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in animal form. The structure
housed the image was completely lost except the raised plinth. The Varaha is
large in size and carved with all the deities of the Hindu pantheon in its
body.
An inscription dated to 1148 CE
can be seen on the pedestal of the figure. This group contains several temple
ruins in its premises. The plinth of three large temples and few smaller temples
can be found amidst large debris of architectural fragments and sculptures. A
damaged column with an inscription can be seen among the debris.
Location
Belmori Temple Group:
This Temple group consists of
two temples (a larger one and smaller one). The larger temple consisted of sanctum
and Mandapa. The sanctum is completely lost. The plinth of the sanctum and the
mandapa remains. The smaller temple consists of sanctum and an entrance porch. The
shikara over the sanctum is in dilapidated state. Remains of sub shrines can
also be seen in the temple premises.
Location
Lakshmi Narayan Temple Group:
The Lakshmi Narayan Temple Group
is the largest group of ruined temples. This Temple consists of two temples
dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One temple consists of sanctum and an entrance porch
and other temple consists of mandapa only. The sanctum of the temple is completely
lost. The temple complex is covered extensively by the ruins of temple remains.
A colossal image of Hanuman can
be seen among the ruins. An architrave among the ruins has a short inscription
in it. There are two minor shrines to the south of the main temples. One shrine
consists of sanctum and an entrance porch while the other shrine consists of
mandapa only. The group is enclosed by a compound wall on all sides.
Location
Jain Temples Group:
The Jain Temples Group is
situated to the south east side of the Chandpur village near railway track of
Jhansi – Mumbai line. This group consists of three structures in its premises.
All these structures are in dilapidated condition. The major shrine of this
group consists of sanctum and a mandapa. The sanctum is situated much below the
ground level and can be accessed through a narrow entrance.
The sanctum enshrines a colossal
image of Jain Tirthankara, Shantinatha.
He is in standing posture in Kayotsarga posture. His arms are extended till his
knees. His right hand is damaged. He is flanked by few damaged Jaina images on
both sides. There are few images in meditation posture and few images in Kayotsarga
posture in a row on the left wall of the temple.
An image of goddess can also be
seen beside Lord Shantinatha. Sculpture of Jain Ambika and Kuber Yaksha can be
seen on the outer wall of the temple. Her mount lion is depicted under seat. The
second structure is a small four pillared mandapa in front of the main temple. The
third temple consisted of sanctum and an entrance porch.
Only the porch remains intact
and the sanctum is lost completely. The door frame is intricately carved. A
colossal image of Tirthankara is kept nearby. It might have been the presiding
deity of this temple. Sculptures of Jaina figures and architectural fragments
are found scattered around the temple premises. The temple complex is enclosed
by compound walls on all sides.
Location
Bhandaria Temple:
The Temple is also called as Shishu
Madia. The Temple is built over a raised platform. The Temple consists sanctum
and an entrance porch. The interior of the porch and the entrance door of the
sanctum are intricately carved with reliefs. The shikara over the sanctum is
partially damaged.
Location
Other Temples:
Jhammar Temple is situated close
to a square well called Jhammar. The temple is named after the well and is
dedicated to Lord Shiva. It consisted of sanctum and an entrance porch. The
sanctum is completely lost. The lintel of the sanctum door has a relief of Lord
Nataraja at its center. There is another small shrine situated in the mid of the
forest to the west side of the tank. Sculptures, ancient wells, architectural
fragments and other ancient relics can be found scattered around this village. There
is another unknown Jaina temple group found on the eastern extremity of this
village.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 9
Kms from Jakhalaun, 10 Kms from Jakhalaun Railway Station, 12 Kms from Deogarh,
12 Kms from Dhaura, 28 Kms from Lalitpur Junction Railway Station, 34 Kms from
Lalitpur Airport, 37 Kms from Lalitpur, 226 Kms from Bhopal Airport and 438 Kms
from Lucknow. The Temple is situated on Deogarh – Dhaura road.
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