SAHASTRA BAHU MANDIR

(GWALIOR)
SAAS BAHU MANDIR
Location : Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Architecture : Dravidian Architecture, Nagara style
Function : Temple
Built in : 1092 AD
Built by : King
Mahipal
Dimensions : 32
metres
by 22
metres
Materials : Limestone,
red sand stone
 Sahastra Bahu or Saas Bahu Temple is within the
Gwalior Fort complex, it is a twin temple a larger one
dedicated to Lord Vishnu lord with Thousand
arms ( Sahastra Bahu ).The temple was built for
the King Mahipal’s wife who was a devotee of Lord
Vishnu ,
 A smaller one dedicated to Lord Shiva built for her
daughter – in – Law who was a devotee of Lord
Shiva . Collectively called the Mother – in – Law
( Saas ) and Daughter – in – Law ( Bahu ) Temple .
 Both intricately carved and designed with floral and
mythical motifs.
 The square plan with a number of graduated projections
in the middle of each side giving a cruciform shape
shows that it’s a Nagara style temple.
 The roof of the temple is approachable presenting a
beautiful view of whole Gwalior.
 It is said that temple directs to the feeling of ocular
demonstration of gods and goddess.
 TEMPLE FOR LORD VISHNU

 The temple is raised on a platform.

 Walls of the temple have scriptures, figures and intricate
stone
works and is an
example of the
architectural
skills of
sculptors
belonging
to the 11th century.
SAHASTRA MANDIR, MAIN TEMPLE
 It has three entrances, entire temple is covered with
idols, Lord Bhrama , Lord Vishnu and
Saraswati ( Godess of Learning) placed above its entry
door.

FRONT ELEVATION SIDE ELEVATION

 There is a room in the forth direction, presently locked.
 The roof is decked with a wonderful lotus carving which
is one of its main attractions.
 The ceiling containing

the pattern of the

successive
formation of the
square, the
octagon and the
circle is repeated,
in its variant
forms, in the CEILING OF THE TEMPLE
porches and the central hall.
 Red sand stone is used with several stories of beams and
pillars without arches.
 TEMPLE FOR LORD SHIVA
 The Smaller temple is one-storey replica of the bigger
one.
 It carries the usual features the floral motif, the
geometrical designs, the animal bands running on the
surface of the plinth.

FRONT ELEVATION SIDE ELEVATION

 Both the temples are richly decorated with carvings of
deities, human and animal figures, and geometric
patterns .
 It is difficult to find a piece of plane surface in this
section that has not been carved, interlocking the
horizontal and the vertical elements and to set up the
images at the most appropriate places.