Maladevi temple

Maladevi temple dates back to the 850-900 CE.[1] The temple was initially a Brahmical temple but later converted to a Jain worship site.[2] An Kalachuri inscription dating back to 850-885 CE, records the foundation of the temple during the reign of Valleka is preserved in British Museum. [3]

Maladevi temple is the largest and finest temple gyaraspur. Maladevi temple is famous for carvings and craftmanship, and are representative of post-Gupta architecture.[4] This is a rock-cut temple built in Pratihara style. The temple is rich with carvings of tirthankaras, yakshi, and yaksha. The temple consists of entrance porch, mandapa garbhagriha and lofty shikhara bearing rich carvings.[2] The temple houses a number of Jain idol, yet the figures of Goddesses on the outer door-frame and the name of the temple idnicates that it was originally a Brahmical temple.[5] The temple is dedicated to Adinatha.[6][7] The Maladevi temple is considered one of the best examples of its collection of varied Jain sculptures.[8] The temple houses finally carved idol of Shantinatha in lotus position with symbol of deer and four armed yaksha and yakshi.[9]

The temple records various pilgram sites such as Sobhasapranamati, Baswanapranamati, and Ambadevapranamati. The temple also houses an eigh-handed idol of Goddess with Tarapati engraved on leaves of lotus throne.[10]

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  Entrance
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  Carving of yaksha
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  Carving of yakshi
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  Carving of kalasha on pillars
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  Richly carved courtyard
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  Richly carved window
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  Tirthankar carved on shikhar

In 1930, Gwalior state stepped up to conserve Maladevi temple.[11] Maladevi temple in Vidisha is protected by Archaeological Survey of India.[12]

• Jain temples, Vidisha
• Bajramath temple
• Gadarmal Devi temple
• Udayagiri Caves

• Media related to Maladevi temple, Gyaraspur at Wikimedia Commons