Kadwaha Ekla Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Address

Kadwaha Ekla Temple, Kadwaha, Ashoknagar district Madhya Pradesh 473335

Diety

Vishnu

Introduction

Kadwaha is a small village located in Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh. It was a very important Shavite center during the eighth-ninth century CE as it is supposedly believed that the foundations of the Mattamayura Shaivite sect were laid here only. There are fifteen temples in sandstone construction at Kadwaha. All the temples are under protection of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India).

Puranic Significance

Ekla Temple – This temple belongs to the second phase of Kadwaha temples. This east facing temple is built over a high rising jagati (platform) in tri-ratha style. It is devoid of any shikhara (tower) and porch as both have not survived. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu who is carved in the centre of the door lintel accompanied with Brahma and Shiva on either extreme bands. Nav-grhias and Sapta-matrikas with Ganesha are carved in between these bands on the lintel. A beam above the lintel probably depicts ekadasha Rudras (eleven Rudras). However, at present there is a Shivalinga inside the sanctum. The sanctum is quite plain from inside, except two images on its southern wall. Vishnu as Anantashayi is shown in one image and another image depicts a lady with a child, probably representing Krishna’s birth. A mother and child in standing posture are also shown on its northern wall. A single band runs across the vimana having a niche in center of each side. These niches are empty now. Ashta-dikpalas are arranged across the periphery of the temple over its walls. An image of Paravti and many secular Apsara images adorn the vimana walls.