SAHASTRA BAHU MANDIR (GWALIOR)SAAS BAHU MANDIR

Location : Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh Architecture : Dravidian Architecture, Nagara

styleFunction : TempleBuilt in : 1092 ADBuilt by : King MahipalDimensions : 32 metres by 22 metresMaterials : Limestone, red sand stone

Sahastra Bahu or Saas Bahu Temple is within the Gwalior Fort complex,  it is a twin temple a  larger one dedicated to  Lord Vishnu lord with Thousand arms ( Sahastra Bahu ).The temple was built  for  the King  Mahipal’s wife who  was a devotee  of Lord Vishnu ,  

A smaller one dedicated to Lord Shiva built for her daughter – in – Law  who  was  a  devotee  of  Lord Shiva .  Collectively called  the Mother – in – Law      ( Saas )  and  Daughter – in – Law  ( Bahu ) Temple .

Both intricately carved and designed with floral and mythical motifs.

The square plan with a number of graduated projections in the middle of each side giving a cruciform shape shows that it’s a Nagara style temple.

The roof of the temple is approachable presenting a beautiful view of whole Gwalior.

It is said that temple directs to the feeling of ocular demonstration of gods and goddess.

TEMPLE FOR LORD VISHNU

The temple is raised on a platform. Walls of the temple have scriptures, figures

and intricate stone works and is an example of the architectural skills of sculptors belonging to the 11th century.

SAHASTRA MANDIR, MAIN TEMPLE

It has three entrances, entire temple is covered with idols, Lord Bhrama , Lord Vishnu and

 Saraswati ( Godess of Learning)  placed above its entry door.

FRONT ELEVATION SIDE ELEVATION

There is a room in the forth direction, presently locked.

The roof is decked with a wonderful lotus carving which is one of its main attractions. 

The ceiling containing the pattern of the successive formation of the square, the octagon and the circle is repeated, in its variant forms, in the porches and the central hall.

CEILING OF THE TEMPLE

Red sand stone is used with several stories of beams and pillars without arches.

TEMPLE FOR LORD SHIVA The Smaller temple is  one-storey replica of

the bigger one.  It carries the usual features the floral motif,

the geometrical designs, the animal bands running on the surface of the plinth.

FRONT ELEVATION SIDE ELEVATION

 Both the temples are richly decorated with carvings of deities, human and animal figures, and geometric patterns .

It is difficult to find a piece of plane surface in this section that has not been carved,  interlocking the horizontal and the vertical elements and to set up the images at the most appropriate places.