Chandrabhaga Group of Temples: Architectural drawings

By Ar Deepak Gahlowt and his team*

Located on the bank of the Chandrabhaga river in the Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, the 'old temples of the Chandrabhaga' complex comprises five temples: the Sitaleshwar Temple, the Mahadeva Temple, the Vishnu Temple, the Varaha Temple and the Kalika Devi Temple. The complex also has a Ganesh mandapa (pillared hall). The oldest and most prominent temple in the complex, the Sitaleshwar Temple, includes a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), an antarala (vestibule), and a mukhamandapa (front porch). The hypostyle sabhamandapa (assembly hall), added later, is supported by twenty-six intricately carved pillars.

The temple (Shiva Temple 1) on the left of the Sitaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Shiva and presently has an antarala and a garbhagriha. The shikhara of the temple is severely damaged. The Vishnu Temple, situated on the right of the Sitaleshwar Temple, has only garbhagriha on its plan. The temple standing on the right of the Vishnu Temple is a Shiva Temple (Shiva Temple 2). It is similar in plan to the Vishnu Temple. There is a flat-roofed structure on the north side of the complex's entrance known as the Kalika Devi Temple. This temple has a garbhagriha and an antarala on plan.