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Thread on the oldest surving temples in India. The earliest temples are dated to the Gupta Era(4th to 6th century CE).
These are the ones that have survived, prior to that we have found remnants of temples from Mauryan era(3rd to 2nd century BC) in Rajasthan & MP.
These are the ones that have survived, prior to that we have found remnants of temples from Mauryan era(3rd to 2nd century BC) in Rajasthan & MP.
Also, as living shrines, many temples of great antiquity have undergone frequent renovation, making it very difficult to trace their origins and history.
That said, from what we have found & pieced together upto now, the earliest surviving temples are -
That said, from what we have found & pieced together upto now, the earliest surviving temples are -
Sanchi Temple 17 in Madhya Pradesh dated to around 400 CE during the reign of the great Gupta imperials.
Near this we have Sanchi Temple 18 which might have been built in 2nd century CE but little of the original structure survives.
Near this we have Sanchi Temple 18 which might have been built in 2nd century CE but little of the original structure survives.
Kevalanarasimha Temple, Ramtek, Maharashtra
Dedicated to Lord Narasimha, this is the oldest surviving Vakataka temple & oldest stone temple in Maharashtra. It is dated to 5th century CE & is a contemporary of Sanchi Temple 17.
Dedicated to Lord Narasimha, this is the oldest surviving Vakataka temple & oldest stone temple in Maharashtra. It is dated to 5th century CE & is a contemporary of Sanchi Temple 17.
Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh
This is a Gupta era temple & is dated to the late 5th century CE, between 475-500 CE. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
It is the oldest known Panchayatana-style temple in India, where a main shrine is surrounded by four smaller shrines.
This is a Gupta era temple & is dated to the late 5th century CE, between 475-500 CE. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
It is the oldest known Panchayatana-style temple in India, where a main shrine is surrounded by four smaller shrines.
Bhitargaon Temple, Uttar Pradesh
This is the oldest surviving brick temple, this too is a Gupta era shrine dating back to the 5th century CE.
The temple has depictions of Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, Durga and scenes from Hindu mythology on its walls.
This is the oldest surviving brick temple, this too is a Gupta era shrine dating back to the 5th century CE.
The temple has depictions of Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, Durga and scenes from Hindu mythology on its walls.
