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:

  1. Grand looking temple!

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

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  3. Anonymous18:12

    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

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  4. Very interesting!
    Nice pictures too.

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

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

    BLOGitse

    BLOGitsePHOTOS

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  7. Anonymous18:49

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

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  8. Adorable design and impressive architecture!

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  9. 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

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

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

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  12. Very beautiful temples, Rahesh.
    Have a nice day.

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

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

    Romantic Sunset

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

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

    Sylvia

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

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  18. Such beautiful and dramatic pictures.

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

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  20. 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.

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

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  22. Anonymous03:02

    that is a perfect place to sky watch.

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  23. Fantastic buildings there...such detail.

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  24. The architecture of fantasy, so different and beautiful!

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

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  26. Amazing architecture and carvings, very unique and beautiful!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  33. Fantastic temples! So beautiful detailed architecture! Great images!

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  34. Amazing that something so huge can be so graceful!

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  35. So grand and beautiful.

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

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

    leethroughthelens.blogspot.com

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

    Yearn to visit such places

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  39. 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!

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

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  41. Amazing. Truly stunning!

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  42. Fabulous. I really enjoy pictures of India :)

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  43. Interesting and somehow strange architecture. Quite impressive.

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

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  45. Great shots of incredible buildings. Very unique.

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

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  47. 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!

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  48. Another intricate architecture!
    Thank you for sharing.

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

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  50. Beautiful pictures and informative narration.

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  51. wow stunning architecture!!

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  52. 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.

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  53. very royal structure

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  54. Awesome shots of an old temple!

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

    Pixellicious Photos

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  56. Deepak, Melusine, Kcalpesh: Thanks for the appreciation.

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