Thursday, February 11, 2010

Sahastrabahu Temple, Gwalior

The two graceful temples dating between 9th and 11th century stands close to the eastern wall of the Gwalior Fort in Gwaior



Similar in style but different in sizes adjoining each other are dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Sahastrabahu.



The bigger temple was built by Mahipala, a Kachhwaha Rajput Prince of Gwalior in 1093 A.D. Unique feature of this temple is that even though it is several stories high, it is balanced solely with the help of beams and pillars without arches.


In the above shot, the beams inside the temple can be seen through the main entrance sculptured doorway. The doorways, ceilings and four huge pillars are sculpted with graceful figures and intricate patterns. The temple has an ornately carved base and the ceiling is an impressively carved dome.
 


The smaller temple is more elegant in appearance than the bigger temple and consists of an open-sided porch with a pyramidal roof. This temple is built on a platform, where as the bigger temple is not. This temple has a single level unlike the bigger temple.

57 comments:

Kirigalpoththa said...

Grand looking temple!

Aarti said...

Wow, beautiful architecture.. looks like u travel quite a bit... Nice

Anonymous said...

your country is full of amazing architecture and great structures. and you show as through your great captures. i woyld like to visit those places someday

Indrani said...

Very interesting!
Nice pictures too.

jabblog said...

There is so much intricate work in these buildings. The stonemasons were so very skilled.

BLOGitse said...

Indian temples are incredible, amazing!
I like all the details and patterns.
Thanks for sharing!

BLOGitse

BLOGitsePHOTOS

Anonymous said...

I am in awe! what rich heritage we have. wish was born in those times.

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Adorable design and impressive architecture!

Zuzana said...

I think what I find so intriguing about this architecture is the intricate details in the structures. Together with the sandy colour of the stone used they almost look as if built out of sand.
Stunning!
xo
Zuzana

amatamari© said...

Absolutely fantastic: thanks for the wonderful shots!!!
:-)

eileeninmd said...

Amazing temples and photos. Thanks for sharing. Happy Skywatching!

Xavi said...

Very beautiful temples, Rahesh.
Have a nice day.

Lene said...

Wow! That is really an amazing building! I sure would have liked to be there!

Kim, USA said...

Oh wow this building is intricately made. Thanks for sharing!

Romantic Sunset

Gwendolyn L said...

Thank you for sharing your special place in the world. It is lovely. Thanks.

Sylvia K said...

Magnificent captures as always, Rajesh! I would so love to visit the places you show us! Have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Steffi said...

Great pictures!Thank you for sharing and have a nice weekend!

Unknown said...

Such beautiful and dramatic pictures.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

They are indeed impressive structures, Rajesh. beautiful to look at, and especially to visit, I'm sure.
Janice.

indicaspecies said...

I've visited this place, and the Saas-bahu temple as it is popularly called is fabulous. You've got lovely pictures, thanks for sharing.

eden said...

Such beautiful architecture. Great shots. And thanks for the history.

Anonymous said...

that is a perfect place to sky watch.

Eaglesbrother said...

Fantastic buildings there...such detail.

Mark Kreider said...

The architecture of fantasy, so different and beautiful!

LV said...

I have never seen a temple of this nature. It is so nice to see such interesting things in your part of the world.

Diane AZ said...

Amazing architecture and carvings, very unique and beautiful!

Pearl Maple said...

Amazing amount of details in the decorations on these buildings, thanks for sharing with us in Sky Watch Friday.

Carver said...

Both of the temples are so beautiful and I love the way your photographs show off the intricate artistry.

Lakshmi said...

Some day I must visit Gwalior..how far is it from del ?

Unknown said...

what an amazing temple...incredible India, indeed!

SandyCarlson said...

Beautifully shot.

Pooch Purple Reign said...

very nice rajesh. i am such a long way from india, but i hope one day to visit.
~laura

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Rajesh: That is a beautiful structure in your light blue sky.

Pietro Brosio said...

Fantastic temples! So beautiful detailed architecture! Great images!

LadyFi said...

Amazing that something so huge can be so graceful!

Japa said...

So grand and beautiful.

Victoria Tsavdaridou said...

Great temple!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Have a nice SWF!!

Lianne said...

such interesting architecture! i'm sure the details are amazing.

leethroughthelens.blogspot.com

Tarun Mitra said...

Your description accompanied with the photography is what brings me up every time to your site.. :)

Yearn to visit such places

Lowell said...

These are quite incredible. And very well built even if a bit untraditional by western standards...I mean they've been standing for about a thousand years.

I'm very impressed with the architecture and all the beautiful details!

ShySongbird said...

Hi Rajesh, It never ceases to amaze me how beautifully intricate the architecture is there, quite breathtaking!

Dewdrop said...

Amazing. Truly stunning!

Serendipity said...

Fabulous. I really enjoy pictures of India :)

Andor Marton said...

Interesting and somehow strange architecture. Quite impressive.

Jacqui said...

Wow - what can i say - a truly awesome building. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great shots of incredible buildings. Very unique.

penny said...

The temple is beautiful, Rajesh. Thank you for the wonderful journey.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Rajesh - thanks so much for this visual treat and an awesome tour! I'm very sure that I can visit some fine places by the grace of your blog!

Regina said...

Another intricate architecture!
Thank you for sharing.

Louise said...

What absolutely amazing structures. The sky doesn't even matter to me when these are in the foreground. Excellent post!

Onkar said...

Beautiful pictures and informative narration.

fufu said...

wow stunning architecture!!

Rajesh said...

Vaggelis, Lene, Sylvia, Laksmi, Laura: Thanks, I am sure you will definitely enjoy the visit.

Kirigalpoththa, Aaarti, Indrani, Rekhaa, Phivos, amatamari, eileeninmd, Xavi, Kim, Brit, Steffi, Janice, Gwenolyn: Thanks for the appreciation.

jabblog, BLOGitse, Protege: Thanks, even in those days they showed great skill.

Celine, Eden, ewok1993, Joo, Eaglesbrother, Mark, LV, Diane, Pearl, Carver, Luna, Sandy, Fishing Guy, Pietro, LadyFi: Thanks for the appreciation.

Japa, Vicky, Lianne, magiceye, Tarun, Jacob, Songbird, Dewdrop, Serendipty, Andon, Jacqui, Yogi, Pam, Rakesh, Regina, Lousie, Onkar, fufu: Thanks for the appreciation.

Deepak Acharya said...

very royal structure

Melusine said...

Awesome shots of an old temple!

Kcalpesh said...

Beauty of the ancient architecture really leaves me amazed....

Pixellicious Photos

Rajesh said...

Deepak, Melusine, Kcalpesh: Thanks for the appreciation.