Religious Places

Sas-bahu Temple in Gwalior Madhya Pradesh

Written by Sudhir Kumar

According to the Bible, “…your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit”. But once you come across the magnificent Sas Bahu Temple, you would feel that the Holy Spirit also resides outside your body. It perhaps dwells in those beautiful temples that human beings have created for the sake of worship, amidst the din and bustle of daily life.

About Sas-Bahu Temple :

Sasbahu temple in Gwalior is a combination of two adjacent temples. They are located near the eastern wall of the Gwalior fort. The largest temple was built in the 11th century by King Mahipala. The main deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu. The lord is known as Sahastrabahu, which means the one having many hands. The name Sahastrabahu gradually was changed into Sas Bahu. The smaller temple was built on the artistic lines of the first later. Sasbahu temple is noted for its architectural beauty. The doorway offers you the view of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. According to Hindu Mythology, Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver and Shiva is the destroyer. The most amazing feature of this temple is that it features the stone carved three storied building, which is raised without arches. The intricately carved pillars give support to the building. The beautiful stairwell adds to the charm of this temple.

The temple is raised on platform and has a two story vestibule that gives access to the three story hall. You may not be able to take your eyes off the intricate stone works in the body and pillars of this temple. The graceful figures scripted on the wall express the architectural skills of the 11th century sculptors. It is a great place to offer your worship too. The small temple of the Sasbahu temple in Gwalior looks more elegant than the larger one, but it does not have the sheer magnificence of the larger temple.

History of the Sas Bahu Temple:

The history of the Sas Bahu temple in Gwalior is very interesting. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu by the King Mahipala. Lord Vishnu is also known as Sahastrabahu, the one with many hands. But gradually the name changed into Sas Bahu Temple, perhaps by mispronunciation, or misinterpretation.

Lord Vishnu is supposed to be the preserver of this Universe. He keeps vigilance over this earth and if there is any disobedience among men, he punishes them. But he is also considered to be the most kind hearted among the Hindu Gods, who come to help his followers under any circumstances.

King Mahipala wished for the success of his Kingdom and the overall prosperity. This being ranted by The Lord, a temple was constructed to commemorate Lord Vishnu. So, the name Sahastrabahu was given to this temple which later in course of time changed into Sas Bahu Temple. The construction of this temple was completed in the year 1092 AD by the king Mahipala.

How to Reach Sas Bahu Temple:

You can reach here from the Gwalior Station or Gwalior Airport. From all these places you can avail a bus or taxi that are frequent and numerous. Hope for a splendid tour to Gwalior…visit here to discover the spice of India.

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Sudhir Kumar

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