Baroli Temples

The Baroli Temples Complex, also known as the Badoli temples, is located in Baroli village in Rawatbhata town in Chittorgarh district in Rajasthan, India. The complex of eight temples is situated within a walled enclosure; an additional temple is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) away. They are built in the Gurjar Pratihar style of temple architecture dated to the tenth century A.D. All nine temples are under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India for conservation and protection. A well known art critic[who?] characterised "the creations of Badoli as the most perfect of their age that he had encountered within that part of the country and, in their own peculiar style."

Location

The Baroli Temples Complex is located in Baroli village in Rawatbhata town in Chittorgarh district in Rajasthan, India. The complex is located close to the rocky bank of the Chambal River, 45 kilometres (28 mi) south east of Kota, on the outer limits of Rawatbhata town. Set around a natural fountain, they are positioned in two zones in the midst of a forest containing peepal, kadamba, mango, and jamun trees.

History

Though the history of the Baroli Temples is not very clear, they are reported to have been built during the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire in the 10th–11th centuries. They are one of the earliest temple complexes in Rajasthan. A carved stone image of the god Nataraja was stolen from the Baroli temple complex in 1998. It has been traced to a private collector in London. However, the statue has not been recovered so far.

Features

The 10th-century Baroli Temples are of great architectural interest, consisting of temple structures built in the Gurjara-Pratihara architectural style, with exquisitely carved stonework. They are in differing stages of upkeep, with some in a semi-ruined state.

There are 8 major temples in Baroli and a ninth about one kilometre away. Four temples are dedicated to Shiva (including Ghateshwara Mahadeva...