Teli Ka Mandir , Telang Mandir , Gwalior

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Teli Ka Mandir or Telang Mandir was built in 8th Century during the period of King Mihir Bhoj  .The structure of the temple presents a perfect fusion of the Northern and Southern architectural styles of India. The ‘Shikhar’ (spire) of the temple is  Dravidian in its style, whereas the ornamentation is done in the Nagara style (specific to North India). Teli Ka mandir  doesn’t have any ‘Mandap’ or pillared hall. The temple comprises a Garbha Griha  a porch and a doorway.

Teli Ka Mandir , Telang Mandir Gwalior Fort

Teli Ka Mandir is 100 feet  the tallest and most stunning temple in the  Gwalior Fort. The temple is actually dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of his mount, Garuda. A  honeycomb design with a series of receding pointed arches within an arch. The entrance door has a Toran or archway with  images of river goddesses Yamuna and Ganga, romantic couples, foliation decoration and a Garuda . Diamond and lotus designs are seen on the horizontal band at the top of the arch

Entrance to the Garbha Griha , Teli Ka Mandir

Within the rectangular structure is a shrine with no pillared pavilions   with a Barrel Vaulted or  Valabhi roof 25 meters (82 ft) in height. Figures of amorous couples, coiled serpents, on the doorway one can see the ladies from a royal family sailing in a decorated  boat , one  of the maid having an umbrella for shade , above it are coiled snakes   .  At the  The central position on the doorway is dominated by the figure of flying Garuda.

Torana or Arched door way at Teli Ka mandir

There are legends about the name of this temple . One says  it was made from donation of a Oil merchant who locally called Teli, given its name Teli’s Temple. The other story says as it was built form princes from Telengana (region in South India) it is called Teli Ka Mandir. One more  story says, “Teli Ka Mandir” term came as this Rajput Temple according to some legends, Rashtrakuta Govinda III conquered the Fort in 794 AD . He then handled the rites of religious ceremonies and rituals to Telang Brahmins , it seems to be true because of its fusion of Indo Aryan and Dravidian architecture from the Telangana region .

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Sahastra Bahu Mandir , Saas Bahu Mandir , Gwalior

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Sahastra Bahu or Saas Bahu Temple is within the Gwalior Fort complex ,   built in 1092 AD by the King Mahipal ,  it is a twin temple a  larger one dedicated to  Lord Vishnu Lord with Thousand arms ( Sahastra Bahu )  it is the most impressive structure  32 x 22 meters ,  built  for  the King  Mahipal’s wife who  was a devotee  of Lord Vishnu ,  a smaller one dedicated to Lord Sun 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.

Saas Bahu or Sahastra Bahu Temple Gwalior Fort

Raised on a platform, the 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 Bahu or Saas Bahu Temple Gwalior Fort

Using the red sand stone with several stories of beams and pillars but no arches.It has got three entrances , entire temple is covered with idols ,  Lord Bhrama ,  Lord Vishnu and Saraswati ( Godess of Learning)  placed above its entry door.

Pillars supporting and no arches

Built in Nagara style, 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.

Thirty Meter high carved ceiling Sahastra Bahu Temple

The roof is decked with a wonderful lotus carving which is one of its main attractions. In a way, one can imagine the outstanding architectural brilliancy of ancient times in India . The ceiling containing the pattern of the successive formations of the square, the octagon and the circle is repeated, in its variant forms, in the porches and the central hall.

The Smaller temple is  one-storey replica of the bigger one. Apart from the erotic couples that are particularly  here and not in the other temple , it carries the usual features the floral motif, the geometrical designs, the animal bands running on the surface of the plinth.  It doesn’t have the intricate fully or partially relieved  deities and the smaller pillars.

 For more information and packages contact +91 9810506646

Callers from Outside India  + 44 7700093414

Email : promark@promarktravels.com

Blog : www.promark@promarktravels.com/blog