Famous Temples in India

Architecture

The twin temple, like elsewhere in India, has locally been called Sasbahu temple. The word Sasbahu means "mother-in-law, bride" or "a mother with her daughter-in-law", an association that implies their being together and interdependent. The Sas temple is typically the larger older temple of the twin. The Gwalior Sasbahu temple follows this style, but both temples are dedicated to Vishnu. Only the Sas temple has survived in some form, the Bahu temple is a shell structure of the original one storey with a highly ornate door frame and its defaced wall reliefs surviving. The remnants of the Bahu temple at Gwalior suggest that it may have been a smaller version of the Saas temple. The temple derives its name from the word “Sahastrabahu” which portrays a man with a thousand hands i.e., Lord Vishnu. An inscription found in the larger of the twin temple and the temple is made of red sandstone with beautiful carvings of lotus.

Garbha Gudi - The temple has a square sanctum attached to a rectangular two storey antarala. The Bahu temple also has a square sanctum with 9.33 feet (2.84 m) side with four central pillars. The sanctum has an image of damaged Vishnu, next to who stands Brahma holding the Vedas on one side and Shiva holding the trident on the other side.

Mandapams & Pillars - The pillar carvings show Vaishnavism,Shaivism and Shaktism related carvings. There are 2 Mandapas and the temple main entrance porch has four carved Ruchaka ghatapallava style pillars that are load-bearing. Its Maha-Mandapa is also a square with 23.33 feet (7.11 m) side with twelve pillars. The pillars have octagonal bases as well with girls carved but these have been defaced and mutilated. On the lintel of the entrances, friezes of Krishna-leela scenes are carved inside, while the outer side narrate legends from other Hindu texts. Above the lintel is Garuda, the vahna of Lord Vishnu.

Temple Walls - The larger temple ornamentation covers all the exterior walls and all surviving interior surfaces. The walls and lintels are intricately carved and though much defaced.