The document provides information on several Hindu temples located within the Gwalior Fort complex in Madhya Pradesh, India. It discusses the architectural features and histories of Teli Ka Mandir, Saas Bahu Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, and Harsiddhi Mata Mandir. Teli Ka Mandir is noted as the tallest temple with a unique blend of North and South Indian architectural styles. Saas Bahu Temple contains intricately carved reliefs and was built in the 11th century. Chaturbhuj Temple is a monolithic rock-cut structure dedicated to Vishnu. The document shares images and details about the religious sculptures and inscriptions within these ancient temples.

1. JIWAJI UNIVERSITY, GWALIOR
A SEMINAR PRESENTATION ON TEMPLE
ARCHITECTURE OF GWALIOR FORT
MA – III SEMESTER
SESSION – 2021-23
DEPARTMENT OF A.I.H.C. &
ARCHAEOLOGY
SUBMITTED TO
Prof. (Dr.) S. K. Dwivedi
Prof. (Dr.) Shanti Dev Sisodia
SUBMITTED BY
Abhijeet Verma
Roll No. 211000716

2. SATELLITE VIEW OF GWALIOR FORT

3. Temples at Gwalior Fort
Teli Ka Mandir Saas Bahu Temple Chaturbhuj Temple Harsiddhi Mata

4. Teli Ka Mandir (Front View)
Entrance gate (Gopuram) Front view of Teli Ka
Mandir
Teli ka Mandir from right side

5. Plan of Teli ka Mandir
(Courtesy : Archaeology Visit report 1864-65)
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6. Teli Temple (Sanctum Sanctorum & Architecture)
Door Jamb (East) Garbhagriha Temple Vimana Left (North)

7. Teli Ka Mandir : Architecture
 Teli ka Mandir is 23 meter high temple, also is the tallest and the most impressive temple with in the fort complex. The
experts have varied opinion about the primary deity of the temple. It can be Shiva Temple as per the wall reliefs but
the Garuda representation over Lentil indicates Vishnu fane. However, Prof. S. K. Dwivedi ascribe to the Garbha Griha
rectangular position could house Sapta Matrika
 The temple is unique in such a way that it comprises of both the elements of north and south temple architectures. The
temple is said to be built by members of the Teli (or Oil Merchants) workers. in 8-9th century during the reign of the
Gurjara Pratiharas. Another theory gives, the name comes from Telang Brahmins who were apointed to supervise all
religious ceremonies in the fort after its occupation by the Rashtrakuta King Govinda III in 794 AD. Others believe that
the Dravidian influence on the temple is so stark that its name came from Telangana region because of Telugu
architecture.
 The temple itself is as distinct as its name. the pastiche of different building styles, it stands out for its unique
architecture. It has a Valabhi Shikhara resembling the Dravidian gopuram of south Indian temples,
 while it stands on a nagara base, which has its affiliations to north India temple architecture.
 In addition, the towering structure has a vaulted roof modelled on the horseshoe-shaped chaitya windows of Buddhist
viharas.
 The Temple has a sanctuary with a doorway leading straight into the Grabha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) and no
Mandapa (pillared hall).
 There is an elaborate ornamentation on all sides of the temple, also dummy door jamb has been installed on east, west
and south directions. These niches might had images of deities, which had been removed at later period.

8. Various Reliefs on Temple Wall
Various Floral-Faunal combination patterns

9. Saas Bahu Temple ( Padmnath Swamin)
Saas Bahu Temple from North direction Saas Bahu Temple from East direction

10. Plan of Saas Bahu Temple
(Courtesy : Archaeological Visit 1864-65)
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11. Saas Bahu Temple : Architecture
 The Saas Bahu Temple (Literal meaning Mother-in-law & Daughter-in-law) is situated at
south western end of the Gwalior fort. There is a pair of shrines in Nagra style, was built
by the Kachchhapaghata king, Mahipala around 1093 AD.
 The temple original name is Padmanath Swami temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu.
Originally commissioned by Mahipalas cousin Padmapal.
 The Temple is an excellent example of Kachhapaghata or later Gurjara pratihara
architecture with a great ornamentation. It is 100 feet long, 63 feet broad and at present
70 feet in height. Original sanctum would be 150 feet high.
 Entire edifice is raised on richly carved plinth of 10-12 feet high.
 The Temple contains 1. Ardha Mandapa, 2. Madhya Mandapa, 3. Maha Mandapa, 4.
Antarala, 5. Garbha Griha
 Entrance Hall and Sanctum are 15 feet in length, Madhya Mandapa and Antarala are
11.25 feet and center Hall (Maha Mandapa) is 30.80 feet square plan.

12. Mandapa Architecture
Mandapa from Front Mandapa from right
Mandapa ceiling Reliefs from GarbhaGriha entrance wall

13. Sanctum Sanctorum (Inner View)
Door Jamb, Garbha Griha Inner view, Garbha Griha

14. Sanctum Sanctorum (Outer View)

15. Chaturbhuj Temple
Temple Front view Temple side view from right

16. Chaturbhuj Temple : Description
It is a monolithic construction hewn out of a single rock, situated near to the Hathi Pol gate. The temple is dedicated to four-armed lord Vishnu, was
commenced by Aila Bhatt, the governor of Gwalior fort under the kingship of Mihir Bhoj, in the memory of his father Vaila bhatt. Hence, its actual name was
Vaila Bhatt Swamin temple.
This east facing temple is built on the Panchang plan. In its construction plan, a four pillared open pavilion (mandap), Antarala and Garbhagriha etc. are
planned.
The Vedi bandha is very low in which Jadya Kumb, Khur Kumbh and Kalash Bandhan are built.
Its Mukha-Mandapa rests on two front pillars and back pilasters. The Adhi-sthana of this temple consists of Khura, Kumbha, Kalasha and Kapotika.
The Janghas has the Bhadras and Karnas with niches topped by Khura and Chhadya and surmounted by Udgamas.
Above the Janghas, the Varandika has two Kapotika in between, above which rises the Shikhara following the Pancha-Ratha alignment from below.
Though it consists of a Madhyalata flanked by Balapanjaras, its Karna portion has the Amla and Bhumis with Kapotika and pediments in between.
On the eastern side, the Shikhara has a Shuka-Nasika which at its top has a Chaitya niche with a four-armed seated image of Vishnu.
As regards, the Mandapa of the temple, it rets on pillars and pilasters with brackets above, on which rest the lintels carrying Krishna-Lila scenes.
Beyond this mandapa, the doorway is carved typical with the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna with Dwarpalas.
Above this, the doorjamb is marked with four Shakhas and the lintel over it has the figure of Garuda holding the tails of the Nagas.
Similarly, the upper lintel has a four-armed seated Vishnu figure whose hands are mutilated.
Images on the Bhadra and Karna of the temple, they include Vishnu (west), Trivikrama (north) and Varaha (south). The niches of Karna have the Digpals
including Agni, Yama, Nirriti, Vayu and Kubera. Styles are particularly marked in the decorative scheme of the Rupa-Shakas, Gana, Pramatha, Mithuna and
other decorative patterns.

17. Inscriptions at Chaturbhuj Temple
The first inscription offers prayer to the Trivikrama form of Vishnu. This inscription is dated in
875 A.D. and indicates that the temple here was cut by chisel and marked by the syllable of
Vishnu’s name. The construction of the temple took place in the month of Vaisakha in 875
A.D. with the installation of a statue of Vishnu cut out of a single piece of rock and placed
reverently in the Garbhagriha.
Inscription no. 1 above door lintel
Inscription no. 2, inside
Garbhagriha, first denotion of Zero
symbol

18. Temple deity and Wall Reliefs
Varaha Avatar Kalki Avatar
ChakraVikrama Avatar Chaturbhuj Vishnu Vayu Deva

19. Harsiddhi Mata Mandir
Harsiddhi Mata Temple, Front View Back Side View of Harsiddhi Mata Temples
There is a small temple situated on the eastern side of the Suraj Kund Sarovar. The temple Shikhara had been
destroyed previously which is now replaced with a dome of modern construction. The reliefs of deities outside
are completely effaced and nothing is remained inside sanctum sanctorum of any archaeological importance.
Image position however indicates it as a Shaiva Temple.

20. Back Side view and Wall Reliefs
Harsiddhi Mata
mandir from west side
Completely effaced
panel at left side
Another Panel block
with unclear image
Broken wall and
reconstruction over it

21. Trishla Mata Mandir, Siddhachalam
Trishala Mata in sitting posture Trishala Mata in sleeping posture
From Urvai gateway side, there is a group of Jain temples along the fort walls, These temples site is
known as Siddhachalam group of temples. One of the prominent temple is Trishala Mata Mandir.
Trishala Mata is the mother of Lord Mahavir. It is said that Trishala Mata in laying form is depicted here
only.

22. THANK YOU
Ref – Archaeology report 1864 – 65, Sir Alexander Cunnigham