Eran Vishnu Temple - Madhya Pradesh

Address

Eran Vishnu Temple – Madhya Pradesh

Eran, Bina Taluk,

Sagar District,

Madhya Pradesh 464240

Moolavar

Lord Vishnu

Introduction

The Vishnu Temple in Eran Village, situated within the Eran Group of Monuments Complex in Bina Taluk, Sagar District, Madhya Pradesh, India, is a historically significant temple.

Location: The Vishnu Temple is located on the southern bank of the River Bina, which is a tributary of the River Betwa. It is part of the Eran Group of Monuments Complex.
Monument of National Importance: The Vishnu Temple has been designated as a “Monument of National Importance” by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), recognizing its cultural and historical significance.
Access: There are no direct bus facilities to Eran. To reach Eran, one can hire a car or auto from nearby towns like Bina, Khurai, and Mandi Bamora.
Architectural Characteristics: The Vishnu Temple is considered one of the most complete temples within the Eran Group of Monuments Complex. It has an oblong shape and faces west. The external measurements of the temple would have been approximately 32.5 feet by 13.5 feet, while the interior dimensions are estimated to be around 18 feet by 6 feet.
Components: The temple is composed of two main parts—the sanctum and the mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by two pillars and two pilasters.
Idol of Lord Vishnu: The sanctum houses a remarkable 13.5 feet tall idol of Lord Vishnu, which is a central focus of worship.
Doorway and Decoration: The temple’s doorway to the sanctum is well-preserved and features intricate decorative elements. Notably, the door jambs of the sanctum include depictions of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna. It is unusual to find these river goddesses at the door jambs in the Gupta period temples. The doorway and the front mandapa may have been installed during the Pratihara period, which dates to the 8th–9th century CE.
Dvarapalas: The temple also features dvarapalas, guardian deities, which are commonly found at the pilasters on either side of the temple’s entrance.

The Vishnu Temple in Eran Village offers a glimpse into the architectural and artistic richness of the region and provides valuable insights into the history and religious traditions of the time. It is a significant historical and cultural site recognized for its architectural beauty and preservation of ancient sculptures and carvings.