Sasbahu Temple, Gwalior

Sasbahu Temple, also called the Sas-Bahu Mandir, Sas-Bahu Temples, Sahasrabahu Temple or Harisadanam temple, is an 11th-century twin temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.[2][3] Near the Gwalior Fort and dedicated to Vishnu in his Padmanabha form, like most Hindu and Jain temples in this region, it is mostly in ruins and was badly damaged from numerous invasions and Hindu-Muslim wars in the region.[4] It was built in 1093 by King Mahipala of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty, according to an inscription found in the larger of the twin temple. The twin temples are situated in the Gwalior Fort.[4][2]

Sasbahu temple ruins in 1869.
For the temple in Rajasthan, see Sahasra Bahu Temples.

Sasbahu temple, Gwalior
sas bahu temple
One of the twin temples
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictGwalior
DeityVishnu, others
Location
LocationGwalior Fort
StateMadhya Pradesh
CountryIndia
Shown within India
Sasbahu Temple, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)
Geographic coordinates26°13′26.2″N 78°10′12.9″E
Architecture
StyleNagara
Completed11th-century[1]

The temple's tower and sanctum has been destroyed, but its architecture and damaged carvings can still be appreciated from the ruins. The jagati platform is 100 feet (30 m) long and 63 feet (19 m) wide, on a square plan.[2] The temple was three-storeyed, which was one of its distinguishing features and sophistication. It followed a central cluster concept, states Adam Hardy.[5] The surviving elements of the temple are the entrance porch and the mandapa.[2] According to James Harle, though the prasada (tower, spire) no longer exists, the triple storey plan with a cruciform foundation and balconies suggests that it had a North Indian Bhumija style architecture. This style, states Harle, is marked by a well proportioned superstructure, its "regularly arranged little subordinate sikharas strung out like gigantic beaded garlands".[6]

Saasbahu temples plan, a sketch made in 1871.

This temple mainly has three entrances from three different directions. In the fourth direction, there is a room which is currently closed. The entire temple is covered with carvings, notably 4 idols of Brahma, Vishnu and Saraswati above its entrance door. The pillar carvings show Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism related carvings. The larger temple ornamentation covers all the exterior walls and all surviving interior surfaces.[7]

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.[2] The remnants of the Bahu temple at Gwalior suggest that it may have been a smaller version of the Saas temple.[7]

The Sas temple has a square sanctum attached to a rectangular two storey antarala and a closed three storey mandapa with three entrances. The temple main entrance porch has four carved Ruchaka ghatapallava-style pillars that are load-bearing. The walls and lintels are intricately carved, though much defaced. 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 vahana of Vishnu.[8]

The Bahu temple also has a square sanctum with 9.33 feet (2.84 m) side, with four central pillars. Its maha-mandapa is also a square with 23.33 feet (7.11 m) side, with twelve pillars.[9] The temple, like most Malwa and Rajputana historic temples, provides multiple entrances to the devotee. The roof consists of two rotated squares that intersect to form an octagon capped by successive overlapping circles. The pillars have octagonal bases as well, with girls carved but these have been defaced and mutilated. The sanctum has an image of damaged Vishnu, next to whom stands Brahma holding the Vedas on one side and Shiva holding the trident on the other side.[9]

Saas temple (bigger)
  • The larger of the twin temple
  • Adhisthana and stambha designs in the Sas temple
  • Wall reliefs on the outer wall of Saas temple (defaced)
  • Damaged friezes
Bahu temple (smaller)
  • The smaller of the twin temple
  • The lower level sculptures are defaced, some upper level survive
  • The temple in 1885
  • The mandapa entrance pillar carvings of women (defaced)

See also

References
  1. George Michell (1977). The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms. University of Chicago Press. pp. 117 with footnotes. ISBN 978-0-226-53230-1.
  2. Margaret Prosser Allen (1991). Ornament in Indian Architecture. University of Delaware Press. pp. 211–212. ISBN 978-0-87413-399-8.
  3. Stella Kramrisch (1946). The Hindu Temple. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 139 with footnote 29. ISBN 978-81-208-0223-0.
  4. 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.
  5. Adam Hardy (2002), Śekharī Temples, Artibus Asiae, Vol. 62, No. 1 (2002), pp. 81-137
  6. James C. Harle (1994). The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. Yale University Press. p. 232. ISBN 978-0-300-06217-5.
  7. Kailash Chand Jain (1972). Malwa Through The Ages. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 434–435. ISBN 978-81-208-0824-9.
  8. Gwalior Fort: Gwalior, ASI Bhopal Circle, Government of India
  9. Sas-bahu Mandir, A Cunningham, pages 361-362

Bibliography
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