Shikhara Journeys
Harshat Mata Temple, Abhaneri

Rajasthan · West

Harshat Mata Temple, Abhaneri

Harshat Mata Temple

OtherEarly 9th centuryDevi

The Harshat Mata Temple (IAST: Harṣat Mātā kā Mandir) is a Hindu temple in the Abhaneri (or "Abaneri") village of Rajasthan, in north-western India. The temple is dedicated to a goddess named Harshat Mata, although some art historians theorize it was initially a Vaishnavite shrine. The original temple appears to have been built in the panchayatana style, which features a main shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines. Only parts of the main shrine now survive, and they have been ruined and modified over several centuries, with the tall shikhara tower replaced by a roof-dome. Much of the platform survives, with fragments of carved stones from the original structure, but most of the sculptures have been removed to the museums in Amber and Jaipur. No epigraphic evidence survives regarding the temple's construction. The analysis of its architectural and sculptural style suggests it was built in the early 9th century, shortly after the adjoining Chand Baori stepwell was constructed.

Art & Architecture

  • Panchayatana plan — a main shrine once ringed by four subsidiary shrines
  • Surviving platform strewn with carved fragments of the original structure
  • Built beside the Chand Baori stepwell, and dated by its style

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Journeys Featuring This Temple

Sources

Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as “Harsat Mata-ka-Mandir”, Abaneri, Dausa district.