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__NOTOC__ Chaturbhuj is a
Hindu temple A Hindu temple, or ''mandir'' or ''koil'' in Indian languages, is a house, seat and body of divinity for Hindus. It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together through worship, sacrifice, and devotion.; Quote: "The Hin ...
excavated in a rock face in the
Gwalior Fort The Gwalior Fort commonly known as the ''Gwāliiyar Qila'', is a hill fort near Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. The fort has existed at least since the 10th century, and the inscriptions and monuments found within what is now the fort campus in ...
, in c875 AD, by Alla, the son of Vaillabhatta, and the grandson of Nagarabhatta a nagar brahmin in present-day Madhya Pradesh, India. One of the temples inscriptions contains the earliest known inscription of the circular symbol "O", to represent
zero 0 (zero) is a number representing an empty quantity. In place-value notation such as the Hindu–Arabic numeral system, 0 also serves as a placeholder numerical digit, which works by multiplying digits to the left of 0 by the radix, usual ...
, in India, though the Bakhshali manuscript is regarded as the earliest existent use of zero. 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 every day. 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. It is a relative small temple with a square plan of 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 Choultry is a resting place, an inn or caravansary for travelers, pilgrims or visitors to a site, typically linked to Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples. They are also referred to as .Vaishnavism Vaishnavism ( sa, वैष्णवसम्प्रदायः, Vaiṣṇavasampradāyaḥ) is one of the major Hindu denominations along with Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. It is also called Vishnuism since it considers Vishnu as the ...
), then Shiva (
Shaivism Shaivism (; sa, शैवसम्प्रदायः, Śaivasampradāyaḥ) is one of the major Hindu traditions, which worships Shiva as the Supreme Being. One of the largest Hindu denominations, it incorporates many sub-traditions rangi ...
) 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. The temple is partially damaged, its tower has been restored, and much of the interior artwork is missing.


Gallery

File:876 CE monolithic rock Chaturbhuj Hindu Temple Gwalior Fort, Zero Inscription 2.jpg, The temple, tower has been partially restored. File:876 CE monolithic rock Chaturbhuj Hindu Temple Gwalior Fort, Zero Inscription.jpg, Outer walls of the temple are carved with Hindu deities. File:876 CE monolithic rock Chaturbhuj Hindu Temple Gwalior Fort, Zero Inscription 3.jpg, Pillar carvings.


See also

* Siddhachal Caves *
Telika Mandir Teli ka Mandir, also known as Telika Temple, is a Hindu temple located within the Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh, India. Dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Matrikas, it has been variously dated between the early 8th and early 9th century CE. It is an ...


References


External links


You Can Visit the World’s Oldest Zero at a Temple in India
Smithsonian magazine (shows the zero inscription) {{Gwalior topics Buildings and structures in Gwalior Temples in Madhya Pradesh Tourist attractions in Gwalior