Temple Style and Features
The MahaBodhi Temple Complex is one
of the four sacred locations associated
with the life of the Lord Buddha,
particularly his enlightenment (Bodhi).
Lumbini (Birth) in Nepal, Sarnath
(Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana - 1st
Sermon) in Uttar Pradesh, and
Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana-death) in
Uttar Pradesh are the other three.
Mahabodhi Temple, The Mauryan emperor Ashoka erected
Bihar (3rd century) the original building.
It was, however, completely rebuilt in
brick during the late Gupta dynasty. T
The current temple was built in the fifth or
sixth centuries.
The Mahabodhi Temple site contains
outstanding records of the events
surrounding Buddha's life and
subsequent adoration.
Temple 17 in Sanchi is built on a low
moulded bottom and is located near the
north-east corner of Temple 18.
It comprises a square sanctum with a flat-
roofed entrance porch supported by four
pillars.
Sanchi temple 17,
It is an outstanding example of Gupta
Madhyapradesh. (5th
architecture, with its structural integrity,
Century )
symmetry, logical proportions, and
ornamental restraint.
The portico pillars' capitals feature four
lions, each with two bodies. A tree stands
between the lions at the corners.
Nachna Hindu The exact date of the Nachna temples is
temple, unknown, but based on its architecture
Madhyapradesh. (5th and other constructions that can be
Century) dated, they are thought to date from the
5th or 6th century Gupta Empire.
The majority of the temples in the area
have fallen into disrepair.
The Parvati temple in Nachna is the best
maintained and studied monument.
The temples have a square plan with a
square sanctum surrounded by a
, circumambulation path with perforated
screen stone windows and are erected on
a raised and moulded plinth.
Goddess Ganga and Yamuna guard the
entrance to the temple.
The Bhitargaon Temple is a terracotta-
paneled terraced brick structure.
Built during the Gupta period in the 5th
century. Though its upper chamber was
damaged in the 18th century, it is the
earliest surviving brick/terracotta Hindu
shrine with a roof and a towering
Bhitargaon temple,
shikhara.
Uttarpradesh. (5th
The temple faces east and has a square
century )
plan with double-recessed corners.
Overlooking the garbhagriha is a lofty
pyramidal spire.
Terracotta panels representing aquatic
monsters, Shiva and Vishnu, and other
Hindu gods adorn the walls.
Bhumara Temple is a Hindu stone temple
dedicated to Shiva that dates from the 5th
or 6th century Gupta era.
The temple is square in shape and
features a sanctuary and Mandapa. While
much of it is in ruins, enough of the
temple structure and artwork has
Bhumara temple, remained to be studied by scholars.
Madhya Pradesh The temple is remarkable as one of the
(5th century) earliest examples of enclosed concentric
pradakshina-patha construction
(circumambulation path).
It has a beautiful entry to the sanctum
flanked by Ganga and Yamuna deities, as
do other early Gupta era Hindu temples,
as well as elaborately carved statues.
Badami temple, The Badami cave temples are a collection
Karnataka (6th of Hindu and Jain cave temples in
century) Badami, India.
The caves, which date from the 6th
century, are noteworthy examples of
Indian rock-cut architecture, particularly
Badami Chalukya architecture.
The MahaBodhi Temple Complex is one
of the four sacred locations associated
with the life of the Lord Buddha,
particularly his enlightenment (Bodhi).
Lumbini (Birth) in Nepal, Sarnath
(Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana - 1st
Sermon) in Uttar Pradesh, and
Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana-death) in
Uttar Pradesh are the other three.
Mahabodhi Temple, The Mauryan emperor Ashoka erected
Bihar (3rd century) the original building.
It was, however, completely rebuilt in
brick during the late Gupta dynasty. T
The current temple was built in the fifth or
sixth centuries.
The Mahabodhi Temple site contains
outstanding records of the events
surrounding Buddha's life and
subsequent adoration.
Temple 17 in Sanchi is built on a low
moulded bottom and is located near the
north-east corner of Temple 18.
It comprises a square sanctum with a flat-
roofed entrance porch supported by four
pillars.
Sanchi temple 17,
It is an outstanding example of Gupta
Madhyapradesh. (5th
architecture, with its structural integrity,
Century )
symmetry, logical proportions, and
ornamental restraint.
The portico pillars' capitals feature four
lions, each with two bodies. A tree stands
between the lions at the corners.
Nachna Hindu The exact date of the Nachna temples is
temple, unknown, but based on its architecture
Madhyapradesh. (5th and other constructions that can be
Century) dated, they are thought to date from the
5th or 6th century Gupta Empire.
The majority of the temples in the area
have fallen into disrepair.
The Parvati temple in Nachna is the best
maintained and studied monument.
The temples have a square plan with a
square sanctum surrounded by a
, circumambulation path with perforated
screen stone windows and are erected on
a raised and moulded plinth.
Goddess Ganga and Yamuna guard the
entrance to the temple.
The Bhitargaon Temple is a terracotta-
paneled terraced brick structure.
Built during the Gupta period in the 5th
century. Though its upper chamber was
damaged in the 18th century, it is the
earliest surviving brick/terracotta Hindu
shrine with a roof and a towering
Bhitargaon temple,
shikhara.
Uttarpradesh. (5th
The temple faces east and has a square
century )
plan with double-recessed corners.
Overlooking the garbhagriha is a lofty
pyramidal spire.
Terracotta panels representing aquatic
monsters, Shiva and Vishnu, and other
Hindu gods adorn the walls.
Bhumara Temple is a Hindu stone temple
dedicated to Shiva that dates from the 5th
or 6th century Gupta era.
The temple is square in shape and
features a sanctuary and Mandapa. While
much of it is in ruins, enough of the
temple structure and artwork has
Bhumara temple, remained to be studied by scholars.
Madhya Pradesh The temple is remarkable as one of the
(5th century) earliest examples of enclosed concentric
pradakshina-patha construction
(circumambulation path).
It has a beautiful entry to the sanctum
flanked by Ganga and Yamuna deities, as
do other early Gupta era Hindu temples,
as well as elaborately carved statues.
Badami temple, The Badami cave temples are a collection
Karnataka (6th of Hindu and Jain cave temples in
century) Badami, India.
The caves, which date from the 6th
century, are noteworthy examples of
Indian rock-cut architecture, particularly
Badami Chalukya architecture.
