The Kiradu group of temples is situated near the village Hathma about 43 km away from the Barmer region in Rajasthan. The inscriptions dating back to 1161 AD reveal that the ancient name of this place was Kiratakupa and was once the capital of the Punwars. The temples were built around c. 1000 AD and later. The temples represent the zenith of the Gurjara-Pratihara sub-style of the Nagara or North Indian Style of Temple Architecture.
The Kiradu temples are a group of five temples and are grouped as ancient temples, an important site from the archaeological point of view. The largest and the most impressive amongst them is the Someshvara Temple. Built in the 11th century, the Someshvara ancient temple is said to be the best example of its kind today. Constructed in honour of Lord Shiva (the Destroyer in the holy trinity of Hindu gods), it has a rather stumpy multi-turreted tower and beautiful sculptures dedicated to the god. The inner sanctum has a resplendent image of the Lord. At its base, is a large reverse-curve lotus, which has a resemblance with the early Chola Temples of south India. This ancient temple also depicts scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Other notable features are sculptures of apsaras (mythical dancing girls from the abode of the Gods) and vyalas (a griffin-like mythical beast generally associated with the Buddha) which were rarely seen after 1050AD in temple architecture. All in all, although Barmer is a bit out of the way you’ll get your money’s worth when you visit Someshvara.
The Vishnu temple of this group has the sanctum and the mandapa of which only the cubicle and the pillars of the central octagon have remained. The temple stands over an elaborately built plinth.
The pancharatha or five-faceted walls of the sanctum are built over the plinth. Only a few mini-spires are left of the multi-turreted spire or sikhara. The central pillar is left of the large open mandapa. The base of the beam is octagonal in shape and features a figure of apsara or heavenly maiden. They are similar in style to the figure from Baroli in southwest of Kota.
The temple of Somesvara is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sanctum of this temple is also five-faceted. The plinth has moldings and jadyakumbha or inverted cymarecta. The figurative bands or the tharas featuring elephants, horses and human beings are notable. The jangha or the middle portion of the wall is the rupadhara or figurative band, which is placed below the niche. The niche is of bigger size on the bhadra or the cardinal facet to place a bigger image. The multi-turreted spire is no more. The half annulets below the vases have dainty foliage patterns. The toranas or decorated arches span over the spaces between the pillars are no more. The decoration on the exterior of the mandapa is equally elegant and varied. The notable are the scenes of combat and palace life, kaudakapalik rites and scenes from the Ramayana and from everyday life.
The Kiradu group of temples situated near the village Hathma is 43 km away from the Barmer region in Rajasthan. According to the inscriptions dating 1161 AD the ancient name of this place was Kiratakupa .It was once the capital of the Punwars. The temples representing the Gurjara-Pratihara sub-style of the Nagara or North Indian Style of Temple Architecture were built around c. 1000 AD and later.
The Vishnu temple has the sanctum and the mandapa with only the cubicle and the pillars of the central octagon have survived. It stands over an elaborately built plinth but only a few mini-spires are left of the multi-turreted spire or sikhara. The central pillar is left of the large open mandapa. Octagonal beam features a figure of apsara or heavenly maiden.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple of Somesvara is also five-faceted. One can see elegant and varied decorations on the exterior of the mandapa. The scenes of combat and palace life, kaudakapalik rites and scenes from the Ramayana and from everyday life are beautifully crafted on the walls of the temples.
One can also see three smaller Shiva temples which are not architecturally so good but some of the images like Bhishma Pitamah lying on a couch of arrows and scenes from daily life like a group of acrobats are worth watching.
The Kiradu temples are a group of five temples and are grouped as ancient temples, an important site from the archaeological point of view. The largest and the most impressive amongst them is the Someshvara Temple. Built in the 11th century, the Someshvara ancient temple is said to be the best example of its kind today. Constructed in honour of Lord Shiva (the Destroyer in the holy trinity of Hindu gods), it has a rather stumpy multi-turreted tower and beautiful sculptures dedicated to the god. The inner sanctum has a resplendent image of the Lord. At its base, is a large reverse-curve lotus, which has a resemblance with the early Chola Temples of south India. This ancient temple also depicts scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Other notable features are sculptures of apsaras (mythical dancing girls from the abode of the Gods) and vyalas (a griffin-like mythical beast generally associated with the Buddha) which were rarely seen after 1050AD in temple architecture. All in all, although Barmer is a bit out of the way you’ll get your money’s worth when you visit Someshvara.
The Vishnu temple of this group has the sanctum and the mandapa of which only the cubicle and the pillars of the central octagon have remained. The temple stands over an elaborately built plinth.
The pancharatha or five-faceted walls of the sanctum are built over the plinth. Only a few mini-spires are left of the multi-turreted spire or sikhara. The central pillar is left of the large open mandapa. The base of the beam is octagonal in shape and features a figure of apsara or heavenly maiden. They are similar in style to the figure from Baroli in southwest of Kota.
The temple of Somesvara is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sanctum of this temple is also five-faceted. The plinth has moldings and jadyakumbha or inverted cymarecta. The figurative bands or the tharas featuring elephants, horses and human beings are notable. The jangha or the middle portion of the wall is the rupadhara or figurative band, which is placed below the niche. The niche is of bigger size on the bhadra or the cardinal facet to place a bigger image. The multi-turreted spire is no more. The half annulets below the vases have dainty foliage patterns. The toranas or decorated arches span over the spaces between the pillars are no more. The decoration on the exterior of the mandapa is equally elegant and varied. The notable are the scenes of combat and palace life, kaudakapalik rites and scenes from the Ramayana and from everyday life.
The Kiradu group of temples situated near the village Hathma is 43 km away from the Barmer region in Rajasthan. According to the inscriptions dating 1161 AD the ancient name of this place was Kiratakupa .It was once the capital of the Punwars. The temples representing the Gurjara-Pratihara sub-style of the Nagara or North Indian Style of Temple Architecture were built around c. 1000 AD and later.
The Vishnu temple has the sanctum and the mandapa with only the cubicle and the pillars of the central octagon have survived. It stands over an elaborately built plinth but only a few mini-spires are left of the multi-turreted spire or sikhara. The central pillar is left of the large open mandapa. Octagonal beam features a figure of apsara or heavenly maiden.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple of Somesvara is also five-faceted. One can see elegant and varied decorations on the exterior of the mandapa. The scenes of combat and palace life, kaudakapalik rites and scenes from the Ramayana and from everyday life are beautifully crafted on the walls of the temples.
One can also see three smaller Shiva temples which are not architecturally so good but some of the images like Bhishma Pitamah lying on a couch of arrows and scenes from daily life like a group of acrobats are worth watching.
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