Sasbahu Temple, Gwalior

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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. 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. 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.

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 long and wide, on a square plan. The temple was three-storeyed, which was one of its distinguishing features and sophistication. It followed a central cluster concept, states Adam Hardy.Adam Hardy (2002)
Śekharī Temples
Artibus Asiae, Vol. 62, No. 1 (2002), pp. 81-137 The surviving elements of the temple are the entrance porch and the mandapa. 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".

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.

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

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.Gwalior Fort: Gwalior
ASI Bhopal Circle, Government of India

The Bahu temple also has a square sanctum with side, with four central pillars. Its ''maha-mandapa'' is also a square with side, with twelve pillars. 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.Sas-bahu Mandir
A Cunningham, pages 361-362

Gallery

;Saas temple (bigger)

File:11th century Saas Bahu mandir, Vishnu Hindu temple Gwalior fort.jpg, The larger of the twin temple
File:Saas-Bahu temple (16134920660).jpg, Adhisthana and stambha designs in the Sas temple
File:Saas-Bahu temple (15702423083).jpg, Wall reliefs on the outer wall of Saas temple (defaced)
File:Saas-Bahu temple (16134913670).jpg, Damaged friezes

;Bahu temple (smaller)

File:Sas Bahu Ka Mandir Fort Gwalior - panoramio - Gyanendrasinghchauha… (1).jpg, The smaller of the twin temple
File:The Bahu temple in the Gwalior Fort.JPG, The lower level sculptures are defaced, some upper level survive
File:Small Sas Bahu temple, Gwalior Fort..jpg, The temple in 1885
File:Saas-Bahu temple (16321376002).jpg, The mandapa entrance pillar carvings of women (defaced)

Artwork

File:India-7375 - Flickr - archer10 (Dennis).jpg, Vandalized artwork. From left: Amorous couple, man with flute, woman with veena, man.
File:10th century Sahasra Bahu Hindu temple, carving, Nagda near Udaipur Rajasthan 2015.jpg, Scene with a row of couples surrounded by rows of musicians.

See also

*Siddhachal Caves
*Telika Mandir

References

Bibliography

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*Dehejia, V. (1997). ''Indian Art''. Phaidon: London. .
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*Harle, J.C., ''The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent'', 2nd edn. 1994, Yale University Press Pelican History of Art,
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External links

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{{Gwalior topics

Buildings and structures in Gwalior
Temples in Madhya Pradesh
Tourist attractions in Gwalior