About

The temple at Bhitargaon is the largest Indian brick temple to survive from the time of the Gupta Empire. Despite being heavily restored, a number of original features remain.

The Bhitargaon Temple is a terraced brick building fronted with a terracotta panel. It has a roof and a high shikhara.

Its upper chamber sustained some damage in the 19th century.

The temple faces east and is built on a square plan with double-recessed corners. There is a tall pyramidal spire over the garbhagriha. The walls are decorated with terracotta panels depicting Shiva, Vishnu, and other deities.

Architecture

The temple stands on a platform with a square base measuring apprixmately 15m on each side. The double storied sanctum is 4.5m x 4.5m on the inside. The height of the shikhara is about 21m.

The wall thickness is 8 feet and the size of bricks used in the construction of the temple is 18" x 9" x 3"

Trivia

When Alexander Cunningham first visited the site in the 19th century, the remains of the porch and of the ardhamandapa were still visible. These elements collapsed some time later.