Bhitargaon

Bhitargaon is a town in Kanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India, known for its ancient Hindu temple.

Bhitargaon Temple

The Bhitargaon Temple is a terraced brick building fronted with a terracotta panel. Built in the 6th century during the Gupta Empire, it is the oldest remaining Hindu shrine with a roof and a high Sikhara, though its upper chamber did sustain some damage in the 18th century.

Gallery

The construction material is bricks and terracotta. The brick size is 18"*9"*3" and the other salient features are following:

• The size of platform on which the temple is built is 36 feet*47 feet.
• The santum is 15 feet * 15 feet internally.
• The santum is double story.
• The wall thickness is 8 feet.
• The total height from ground to top is 68.25 feet.
• There is no window.
• The terracotta sculpture depicts both secular and religious theme such as deities like ganesha adi virah mahisasaurmardani and river goddess. Myths and stories representing abduction of sita and the penance of nara and naryan.
• Shikara is a stepped pyramid and got damaged by thunder in 1894.
• The first story of sanctum felled in 1850.
• Vaulted arch is used here for the first time any where in India.

External links

• Bhitargaon
• Bhitargaon temple
• Heritage and Tourism, Kanpur City Development Plan