Thursday, February 4, 2010

Mitavali Temple

Around Gwalior (State: Madhya Pradesh) there are plenty of places of historical importance. One among them is Mitavali located at a distance of 40 kms from Gwalior. As it is 15 kms from Padavali, we reached this place after covering Padavali.

The temple is situated on a small Hill with a small village at the foot of the hill. One has to climb approximately 150 to 200 uneven steps. The steps to the temples were carved out of the hill.
The design of this Shiva temple is incredible and unique. This is a 500 year old temple but very little is known about this temple.

The temple architecture is totally different from any other temple in India. The temple is circular shape with no overhead tower. In fact the it is believed that the design of Indian Parliament is based on this temple.

From here we moved back to Gwalior to cover other local sights.
Distance: Mitavali ---> Gwalior 40 kms

56 comments:

  1. To have made these magnificent edifices at a time when technological prowess was at its infancy (or so we think), is a marvel indeed!

    Wonderful pictures!

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  2. Interesting, in some way this reminds me of the ancient Roman structures, such as the Colosseum.;)
    Lovely pictures as always.;)
    xo
    Zuzana

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  3. That is beautiful. I wonder where the influence came from for it.

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  4. Amazing place! You always manage to find something interesting and beautiful!

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  5. A round temple! WOW is almost a mystery ...
    Interesting post and beautiful photos, thanks for sharing!
    :-)

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  6. Anonymous19:29

    Yhanks for the beautiful snaps. Lucky you :)

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  7. A totally unique temple! I wonder what the scholars say about it...Fascinating stuff, Rajesh.

    You could become an archaeologist and discover the truth and post it on your blog!

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  8. I also thought that I resembles parliament of India

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  9. Marvelous captures as always, Rajesh! Such an interesting place against lovely skies! Have a great weekend!

    Sylvia

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  10. Great photos of antiquity! Mysterious and beautiful places, for sure.
    Happy SWFriday.

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  11. It's a magnificent structure, Rajesh. Well worth the climb, I'm sure.
    Janice.

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  12. Awesome shots, I would love to visit.

    All the best
    Guy
    Regina In Pictures

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  13. The temple is so beautiful. Great shots.

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  14. Beautiful pictures. Great shots

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  15. Beautiful pictures and an interesting story.

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  16. What an amazing structure. I love that it's a circle.

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  17. Rajesh: Really cool shots of the temple on the hill.

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  18. very interesting temple visit and skywatch post...
    noticed the remains of the old walls along the base of the hill/mountain too?
    have a wonderful weekend.

    erin

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  19. Nice architecture.

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  20. THIS is the exotic India that we seldom see! Thank you for sharing these. I would like to read more about this temple.

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  21. Anonymous02:58

    very interesting. the design is different from the typical temple designs that you have featured before, plus its hillside location makes for a unique and wonderful experience, isn't it?

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  22. that's really an amazing place to see. For sure, the view from there is spectacular. my skywatch entry is up too.

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  23. beautiful buildings and skies!! happy skywatch =)

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  24. Great set of photos. I love seeing these kinds of temples and buildings from your world. The last shot is my favorite, cute shot of the children sitting near the temple.

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  25. Great post again. I always enjoy your pictures and descriptions.

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  26. I always marvel at round Rotundate architecture.

    I hope they preserve them.

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  27. I bet the view from the top was magnificent.
    An interesting temple and sad that not much is known about it.
    Thanks for taking us along with you.

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  28. A unique temple architecture. Beautiful by all means! Regards.

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  29. Beautiful. So many years of stories to tell.

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  30. Such a unique design!

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  31. The last shots is my favorite and the children are so cute.

    Have a nice weekend!

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  32. Steps carved out from the hills are truly genius!
    Interesting temple.

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  33. Hi Rajesh! This one looks beautiful... Another for my list... ;)

    Blogtrotter 2 is cruising with the Liberty of the Seas. Hope you enjoy it and have a great weekend!!

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  34. Beautifull and hystorical post, well done, i love them!!

    Happy SWF.

    Eric

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  35. It looks great from a distance. Greatly placed.

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  36. Like this architecture, very nice and great shot:-)

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  37. That is cool. Very nice.

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  38. I think that with the quality of your photos and interesting, informative text you might consider publishing a book with your fine material.

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  39. Amazing history in your country.

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  40. What a wonderful place! The round temple is really a marvellous and interesting structure! Thanks for sharing!

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  41. Hi

    Really amazing and unique architecture for a Shiva Temple. Lovely sculpted pillars.Any special legend associated with this ?

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  42. Thanks for taking us to this beautiful temple. It's nice that it has been so well preserved

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  43. interesting facts and wonderful pictures. Wish you a nice weekend

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  44. Lovely blue skies against the beautiful structures!

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  45. A beautiful post and wonderful Photos.

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  46. Thanks for a great history lesson through your words and lens.

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  47. This is so different from everything I've seen in India! Fantastic too!

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  48. There's a lot of history on the top of that hill. A great place to stop and think (and look down)!

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  49. Beautiful spot for a temple, high up on a hill. The circular architecture is unusual and interesting. Nice photos!

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  50. History and mystery. The dynamic is beautiful.

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  51. Thank you for sharing! This is the good part of memes like SkyWatch, seeing blogs we'd otherwise miss.

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  52. Fascinating. The temple looks surprisingly modern.

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  53. looks like italian coliseum =p

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  54. Rajesh, your blog is terrific for both, photos and information!!


    Very mysterious and cool shot! Do checkout the Moon at noon on my blog :-)


    Pixellicious Photos | Follow me

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  55. Rakesh: Thanks, I am amazed to see at how these structures are built without the today's technological advances.

    Joo, Rekhaa, Jacob, Tarun, Sylvia, nonizamboni, Janice, Guy, Carver, Riet, vincibene, Robin, Fishing Guy, Erin: Thanks for the appreciation.

    Zurana: Thanks, it does have resemblance.

    Evelyn, Ces, ewok, Marites, Amanda, eileeninmd, Jossie, Ann, Hilary, Magdalena, Trotter, Eric, Regina, Kirigalpoththa: Thanks for the appreciation.

    jabblog, amatamari: Thanks, it is a mystery.

    Koala, magiceye, yogi, Mark, diane, Pietro, George, Linda, Mridula, Pam, Mama, LV, JM, Robert, Janie, Sandy, Sallie, Linda, fufu, Kcalpesh: Thanks for the appreciation.

    Carletta: Thanks. Yes, not much is known to me about this temple at this point.

    Ram: Thanks, I am also not aware of any legen associated with this beautiful and unique temple.

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