Temples

Temples At Chittorgarh

Carved Ceiling Of The Temple

Kalika Mata Temple In The Chittorgarh Fort

Temples At Kiradu

Dilwara Temple At Mount Abu

Carved Pillars Of The Temple

Ranakpur Temple Near Udaipur

Beautifully Carved Ceilings Of The Temple

Pillared Walls Of The Temple

Wall Details

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.