Mind-boggling Saas-Bahu Hindu Temple, Gwalior, MP - grandeur and beauty frozen in stone

Interior. Sasbabu temple, Gwalior, MP 10yearitch.com

Sasbabu temple, Gwalior, MP 10yearitch.com

Gwalior city in Madhya Pradesh is rich in tourist attractions that include many forts, museum, palaces and temples. They al'l' bring out the centuries old unique cultural heritage and its bearing on the state of Madhya Pradesh.

No person interested in Indian history will forget the massive Gwalior Fort situated on the top hills near the city This was the place where so many battles taken place between the rulers of states who were after expansion of their power and revenue. It was here Rani Lashmibhai fought against her adversary the East India company who autocratically took her kingdom and finally killed her. Among the fine temples such as Man Mandir Palace, Saas-Bahu Temple, Suraj Kund, etc., Saas-Bahu Temple attracts our attention because it is architecturally rich temple and whose design is different from the Dravidian style of temple architecture. Even, it does not closely resemble Nagara style temple design common in Odi'sha.'

Sasbabu temple, Gwalior, MP.en.wikipedia.org

defaced wallreliefs. Sasbabu temple (big one), Gwalior, MP findmessages.com

This 11th century twin temple in the Gwalior Fort - Sasbahu Temple is also known as the Sas-Bahu Mandir, Sahastrabahu Temple. Dedicated to Vishnu in his Padmanabha form, the temple is in ruins and this being due to its proximity to the fort where many invasions taken place by the Muslim rulers of Delhi. This historical temple was built in 1093 by King Mahipala of the Kachchhapaghata. Inscriptions found in the larger of the twin temple confirm the name of the builder.

Sasbabu temple, Gwalior, MP.10yearitch.com

Local name of the temple is Sasbahu temple (Sasbahu meaning "mother-in-law, bride" or "a mother with her daughter-in-law"). This relationship implies two things - being together and at the same time being interdependent. Between the two temples that are dedicated to lord Vishnu, the Sas temple is larger and older than the other one. The Sas temple has survived in some form, but the other one - the Bahu temple is simply a shell structure of the original one storey building with a highly ornate door frame and its defaced wall reliefs surviving. The surviving features of the Bahu temple at Gwalior suggest that it may have been a smaller version of the Saas temple.
Though the temple's tower and sanctum are damaged, impressive damaged carvings throw light on its past grandeur and beauty. The jagati platform is 100 feet (30 m) long and 63 feet (19 m) wide, on a square plan. This three-story temple that follows a central cluster concept is a model of architectural sophistication. The entrance porch and the mandapa of the original temple remain unaffected during invasions by the Islamic forces. James Harle, an expert in temple architecture says this temple was built in Bhumija style, a feature common in north India. He cites the triple storey plan with a cruciform foundation and balconies to strengthen his theory. Unfortunately the spire - tower called Prasada is missing, apparently ruined in one of the invasions. This Bhumija style, according to Harle, is characteristic of a well proportioned superstructure, its "regularly arranged little subordinate sikharas strung out like gigantic beaded garlands". As in south Indian temples, this one has four entrance on all directions; the fourth one being closed for unknown reasons.

With notably 4 idols of Brahma, Vishnu and Saraswati above its entrance door, the entire temple has fine carvings and those on the pillars are closely related to Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism. Both exterior and surviving interior parts larger carvings of ornamentations.

Sasbabu temple 1885, construction is on. The temple in 1885

Sasbabu templefindmessages.com

The sanctum of Sas temple is square in plan attached to a rectangular two storey antarala and a closed three storey mandapa with three entrances. Four carved Ruchaka ghatapallava-style load-bearing pillars adorn the temple main entrance porch. Intricate carving is found on the walls, lintels, etc but they are much defaced. On the lintel of the entrances, one can see Krishna-Leela scenes carved inside. Whereas on the outer side you can see narration of legends from the Hindu mythology. Located above the lintel is Garuda, the inimitable vahana of Vishnu.

mandapa entrance pillar carvings of women (defaced) Sasbabu temple, Gwalior, MP.en.wikipedia.org

As for the Bahu temple, its sanctum is also square in plan with four central pillars. The main deity Vishnu in the sanctum is damaged. Also in the sanctum are Brahma holding the Vedas on one side and Shiva holding the trident on the other side.. The Maha-mandapa is square in plan with twelve pillars. The roof has two rotated squares that intersect to form an octagon capped by successive overlapping circles. The temple, like most Malwa and Rajputana historic temples, provides multiple entrances to the devotee. The pillars with octagonal bases carry nicely carved women images that are defaced or tampered with.