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123
km from Jhansi, Deogarh is
situated on the right bank of
the Betwa river, at the western
end of the Lalitpur range of
hills. Deogarh is of great
antiquarian, epigraphical and
archaeological importance and
has been integral to the history
of the Guptas, the
Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Gondas,
the Muslim rulers of Delhi, the
Marathas and the British. It
possesses the remains of a fine
Vishnu temple dating to the
Gupta era, and several Jain
temples.The architecture and
sculpture of these temples
display a high level of
craftsmanship.
Area:5
sq. km.
Population:553 (1991
census)
Altitude:211 meters.
above sea level.
Season:
August - March
Clothing (Summer):
Light Cottons
Language: Hindi,
Bundeli
Festivals: Jain Mela
and Gajrath Mahotsav
Local
Transport:
Buses/Private Jeeps/Private Cars
STD
Code: 02904.
Places of Interest
Dashavatar Temple
This fine Gupta temple dedicated
to Lord Vishnu is the earliest
known Panchyatan temple in north
India. The terraced basement
above the high plinth is
decorated with
sculpted panels.
The figures of Ganga and Yamuna
adorn the carved doorway leading
to the sanctum sanctorum. Three
large carved panels along the
side walls-the Gajendramoksha
panel, the Nar Narayan Tapasya
and the Anantshayi Vishnu-depict
scenes from Vaishnava mythology.
Only the lower portion remains
of the spire, which was the most
important part of the temple
Jain Temples
These 31 Jain temples are
somewhat later in origin that
the Vishnu temple, but are no
less remarkable. They are
situated inside the fort of
Kanali on the hills overlooking
the Betwa. The site was a Jain
centre from the 6th to the 17th
century. The temples abound in
panels depicting scenes from
Jain mythology, Tirthankara
images, votive pillars, votive
tablets, Jain images visible
from all sides and pillars
carved with a thousand Jain
figures.
Deogarh Archaeological Museum
The site museum has a fine
collection of sculpture,
discovered from the surrounding.
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