SURWAYA TEMPLE (25°20' N; 77°50'E) Shivpuri, MADHYAPRADESH

SURWAYA TEMPLE 















            A Small village of Shivpuri tahsil Surwaya is situated near the Jhansi-Shivpuri road, about 22km. to the east of the District headquarters. Near the 18th km. (at the poiht marked by a signboard)the road branches off towards the north and leads to the archaeological mounments in the Balekikh or inner enclosure of the Surwaya fort, situated on the northern outskirts of the village. The early history of Surwaya is little known. Though at present quite an insignificant village it appears to have been an important town in the mediaeval period. Judging from the style of its exensive ruins these may be assigned to the 10th to the 16th century A.D.1 The earlier monuments were, probably erected under the patronage of the Kachchhapaghatas or Kachhavahas of Gwalior and Narwar. A number of inscriptions refer to the Jajapellas of Narwar who succeeded the Kachahhapaghatas. One inscription, dated V.S. 1341 (A.D. 1384), reveals Saraswatipattana of Saraswati town as the contemporay name of Surwaya. Another samll inscription near the eastern gate of the fort refers to prince Sahasamala nad queen mother Salashanadevi. Probably the prince was a local feudatory of the Jajapella king Shri Ganapatideva. From the Jajapellas Surwaya passed into the hands of the Muslims, who are responsible for the devastation of the ancient Hindu buildings and probably of the fort, It is in a ruined condition now and by itself is of little interest.
            The Principal monuments in the fort are three Hindu temples, a Hindu matha or a monastery and a step well, all in partial ruins and originally built with large blocks of stone, laid without mortar. There was a ditch all round the fort, According to local belief the Pandava brothers stayed at this spot for a considerely long time, (360 days) dug a well daily and constructed the fort.
The Monastery
            The plain and massive building, occupying the south-east portion of the inner fort is the monastery, a rate speciman of mediaeval Hindu monasteries surviving to this day. Originally it was a two storeyed building with roof composed of huge stone slabs without mortar. At present is has a central hall, supported by 4 stone pillars, two long rooms on either sides and stone jalis for ventilation.
Temple
            All the three temples of Surwaya were built in Indo-Aryan or Aryavarta style, prevalent in Northern India. Each of them had a sancturm, surmounted with a Shikhara and a porch and was faced with profuse exquisite carvings, consisting partly of figure sculptures and partly of decorative designs. All the sarines have lost their Shikharas and parts of their carvings. The temple number I belongs to Siva. It has a very impressive portico and roof made of a single slab. The entire porch is very finely ornameented with beautiful figures after the fashion of Khajuraho. A stone figure of Vishnu is kept on the top of the door way, with Ganga and Yamuna on eigher side and panels of dancers and musicians on the brackets. A few aromatic figures and of Yaksha and Yakshini are also there.

            The temple number two probably belonged to Vishnu, but it has lost its main deity. It has decorative Sculptures on the outer facing of its sarine, of the eight guardians of quarters. Other gods of the Hindu pantheon are kept in niches. They include Brahmani, Nairity, Vaishnavi, Chaturmukhi, Kumari, Indrani, Kubera, Gaja Lakshmi, Ganesha, Indra, Agni Siva, etc. A very beautiful figure of goddess Kali is kept in as outer inche, wearing a long wreath of human heads. The 3rd temple is badly damaged. Parvati, the deity of the shrine has been removed to Gwalior Museum. In an outward niche of this temple figure of Vishnu in lying position on Anantanaga with Lakshmi caressing his feet. These monuments were in utter neglet, till the Gwalior Archaeological Department reclaimed them in V.s. 1972 at an expenditure of 9280. There are a primary school in this small place and a Police Station.

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:ःः तिगवां (पूर्व गुप्तकालीन विष्णु मंदिर)ःःःVISHNU MANDIR कटनी पूर्व जिला जबलपुर (म0प्र0)

मंदसौर में यशोधर्मन का विजय [ Yashodharman's Victory Pillar in Mandsaur]