
The great architectural movement
which swept Rajasthan from the
8th to the 11th century was
really a later flowering of the
virile development inspired by
the Guptas during the 4th, 5th
and 6th centuries. The 8th and
9th century also saw new styles
of temples emerging from the
Gurjara Pratihara dynasty from
Mandore.
Temples built around this time
also include temples at
Chittorgarh and Osiyan in
western Rajasthan. The familiar
feature of these temples is
single sikhara or spire and
intricately carved outer chamber
called the mandup before the
inner sanctum. In many temples
the main temple would be
surrounded by series of small
and finely carved temples. A
good example of these are Kalika
Mata Temple and Kumbha Shyam
temples in the Chittorgarh fort.
Temples at Kiradu in western
Barmer known as Solanki style
are known for sculptured
frescos. The best example in
this is the Someshvara Temple,
which has fine sculptured
fresco, and a multi tiered
spire.
The 10th century saw the
constructions of many splendid
Jain Temple, notable amongst
them are the Dilwara Temples at
Mt Abu, Mahavira Temple at
Ghanerao in southern Rajasthan
and Ranakpur near Udaipur. At
Ranakpur the Chomukha meaning
four faced is the finest. It
features a series of mandupas
decorated with intricate carving
giving a breath taking symmetry.
A group of Jain Temples at
Jaisalmer are also noteworthy.
A great deal of this fine
architecture, however, was
destroyed during the earlier
Muslim invasions.
Forts & Palaces
Temples
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