Chaturbhuj Temple, Gwalior

Chaturbhuj is a Hindu temple excavated in a rock face in the Gwalior Fort, in c875 AD, by Alla, the son of Vaillabhatta, and the grandson of Nagarabhatta of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, in present-day Madhya Pradesh, India.[1][2]

For the temple in Orchha, see Chaturbhuj Temple (Orchha).

Chaturbhuj temple, Gwalior
Chaturbhuj temple entrance
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictGwalior
DeityVishnu, others
Location
LocationGwalior Fort
StateMadhya Pradesh
CountryIndia
Shown within India
Chaturbhuj Temple, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)
Geographic coordinates26°13′50.8″N 78°10′12.1″E
Architecture
StyleNagara
Completed9th-century[1]

One of the temples inscriptions contains the earliest known inscription of the circular symbol "O", to represent zero, in India, though the Bakhshali manuscript is regarded as the earliest existent use of zero.[3] The inscription states, among other things, that the community planted a garden of 187 hastas by 270 hastas (1 hasta = 1.5 feet), that the garden yielded 50 garlands for the temple everyday. The last digits of 270 and 50 are "O" shaped. While Indian and non-Indian texts mention zero much earlier, this temple has the earliest known epigraphical evidence inscribed in stone that already knows and uses the concept of zero.[4][5][6]

It is a relative small temple with a square plan of 12 feet (3.7 m) side. The temple has a portico at its entrance supported by four carved pillars. The pillars show reliefs of individuals meditating in yoga asana position, as well as amorous couples. To the right of the portico is covered pillared mandapa, like a choultry. The doorway into the rock is flanked by goddess Ganga and Yamuna. The ceiling of the temple is a low square pyramid, similar to the Dhamnar temple. The tower (Shikhara) of the temple is North Indian Nagara style, that slowly curves with a square plan, all carved out of the monolithic rock. It has an inscription that opens with a praise for Vishnu (Vaishnavism), then Shiva (Shaivism) and nine Durgas (Shaktism), as well states that it was excavated in 876 CE (Samvat 933). Inside there is a wall relief of Varaha (Vishnu's man-boar avatar) and another of four armed Vishnu. It also a carving of goddess Lakshmi with four arms. The name of the temple may be derived from four armed Vishnu and Lakshmi.[1][7]

The temple is partially damaged, its tower has been restored, and much of the interior artwork is missing.

  • The temple, tower has been partially restored.
  • Outer walls of the temple are carved with Hindu deities.
  • Pillar carvings.

See also

References
  1. Sas-bahu Mandir, A Cunningham, pages 355
  2. BURGESS, JAS ED. (1882). EPIGRAPHIA INDICA VOL.1. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT,CALCUTTA. p. 154.
  3. https://www.livemint.com/Science/MSxVoPsCyzUQcvUMh10hDN/1800yearold-black-dot-in-Bakhshali-manuscript-is-first-z.html
  4. Syamal K. Sen; Ravi P. Agarwal (2015). Zero: A Landmark Discovery, the Dreadful Void, and the Ultimate Mind. Elsevier Science. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-12-804624-1.
  5. Georges Ifrah (2000). The Universal History of Numbers: From Prehistory to the Invention of the Computer. Wiley. pp. 400–402. ISBN 978-0-471-39340-5.
  6. Robert Kaplan (1999). The Nothing that Is: A Natural History of Zero. Oxford University Press. pp. 41–44. ISBN 978-0-19-802945-8.
  7. Kurt Titze; Klaus Bruhn (1998). Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-violence. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 101–102. ISBN 978-81-208-1534-6.
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