Ancient Brick Temple-Gupta Period (Bhitargaon)

India / Uttar Pradesh / Ghatampur / Bhitargaon
 archaeological site, hindu temple, ancient ruins
The Bhitargaon Temple is a terraced brick building fronted with a terracotta panel. Built in the 6th century during the Gupta Empire, it is the oldest remaining terracotta Hindu shrine with a roof and a high Sikhara, though its upper chamber did sustain some damage in the 18th century.
The temple is built on a square plan with double-recessed corners and faces east. There tall pyramidal spire over teh garbhagriha. The walls are decorated with terracotta panels depicting aquatic monsters, Hindu Gods Shiva and Vishnu etc. When Cunningham first visited the site, the remains of the porch and of the ardha-mandapa were still visible, which later collapsed.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhitargaon#Bhitargaon_Temple
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Coordinates:   26°12'35"N   80°16'31"E
This article was last modified 6 years ago