Bhitargaon Brick Temple of Gupta Period

Bhitargaon :: 59 km south west of Kanpur is the site of Gupta era temple. Built of brick, as large as 0.47 m × 0.22 m × 0.07 m, this late 5th century temple is the only shrine of its kind having a Shikhra ,surviving  in the country today.Set in mud mortar the total height of the temple is 15.41 meters.Inside the temple only the sanctum or garbha griha and the porch exists.Above the sanctum there was an upper chamber which was damaged when the spire was struck by lightening some time in 18th century

The most remarked feature of the temple is it’s recessed plan. The interior of the temple is plain but on the out side it is decorated with carved brickwork and neumerous terracotta panels of skilful workmanship. It dates back to 600 AD.and is the sole surviving record of this early phase of temple architecture in India.Restored a few years back the temple exhibits unique terracotta sculptures and figures of makaras(water monsters) and gargoyle like images.

 Present:  But present day (Photograph dated: 6-12-2009) the monument found to be in its worst condition. Most of the images on it are broken. The upper part of the temple as you can see in the Photograph is completely broken. The Archaeological Department is working on it to preserve it .

At present it is fully renovated.
Photographed by Ashish Misra