Jhalrapatan Sun temple, Rajasthan

Address

Jhalrapatan Sun temple, near Badli Chabutra, Mukeri Mohalla, Jhalrapatan, Rajasthan 326023

Deity

Vishnu, Shiva, Surya

Introduction

• Location: Jhalrapatan, a town in Jhalawar district, Rajasthan, India.
• Temple: The 10th-century Sun Temple (Padma Nabh Temple) is renowned for its impressive architecture and sculptures.
• Deities: The temple features idols of Lord Vishnu and Surya (Sun God).

Puranic Significance

• Architecture:
  • The temple, built in the 11th century CE, follows the ratha style of architecture.
  • It features a tall, intricately carved shikhara with numerous miniature shikharas (bhumija style) adorning the sanctum’s top.
  • Original roof shikaras have been replaced with 18th-century chattris and a dome, which do not align with the temple’s 10th-century design.
• Structure:
  • The temple includes a pillared mukha mandapa, a pillared mandapam, antarala, and a garbhagriha.
• Historical Significance:
  • Until the mid-19th century, the sanctum housed a gold statue of Surya, which was stolen during the 1857 Mutiny.
  • The temple’s pillars are richly carved with images of deities, dikpalas, Ganesha, surasundaris, mithuna couples, and various scenes of daily life.
  • The current sanctum features a four-armed Padmanabha statue installed in the 19th century during extensive repairs.

Special Features

• Shikhar Height: The temple’s shikhar stands at approximately 97 feet tall.
• Mandapa: The vast mandapa (pillared hall) allows visitors to sit and relax while engaging in spiritual practices.
• Pillars: Each of the 52 pillars is intricately carved with celestial beings such as Gandharvas and Apsaras. The tops of the pillars feature bharavahaka sculptures symbolizing the burden of the roof.

Century/Period/Age

11th century CE

Managed By

Archeological survey of India.

Nearest Bus Station

Jhalrapatan

Nearest Railway Station

Jhalrapatan, Kota

Nearest Airport

Jaipur

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