About

There were originally nineteen independent, free-standing temples which stood in the complex where the Rock-cut temples stand today. However, a devastating earthquake in 1905 destroyed most of the temples, and of the few that survived only one is substantially intact, and is in active use. Sixteen of the nineteen temples were cut from a single rock, whereas the others stood independently on either side of the main complex.
The temples are situated near the crest of a hill overlooking the Beas Valley.

These temples were built in the Northern Indian Nagara style. The central temple, also referred to as Thakurdwara, served as the model for the other temples. The temple faces in a north-eastern direction. There is a rectangular temple pond of about 50m and 25m width which lies beyond the courtyard of the temples. An image of Shiva on the lintel suggests that the shrine was originally dedicated to Shiva. The temple comprises of a sanctum sanctorum, a vestibule, an assembly hall (jagamohan), and an entrance porch. The temple enshrines idols of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. These idols are installed on a stone platform, which is a later day addition.

The temple complex was carved out of the natural sandstone rock. The central shrine was hewn out as a cave in the rock. The main spire is flanked by subsidiary spires of smaller size, all eight symmetrically placed to form an octagon (or two rotated squares). These spires of the temple seem to grow out of the natural rock that makes the mountain. Above the main sanctum, the rock was cut to form the flat roof and the second level of the temple naturally fused with the rising main spire (shikhara) as well as the eight subsidiary shrines. The spires are curvilinear in form, composed of a series of superimposed shrinking horizontal square slabs with offsets.

The exteriors, doorways, and columns are embellished with highly ornamental carvings and are rich in contemporary iconography. The niches on the exterior walls bear sculptures of Vishnu in Vaikuntha, along with dikpalas or guardians, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), Shiva, Parvati, and Skanda-Kartikeya. Avatars of Vishnu such as the Varaha and the Narasimha are presented in the niches.

The soaring towers of the temple are decorated with a series of diminishing chaitya-gavaksh (dormer) elements. Other decorative elements include kalpa-lata (creeper), kalpavriksha (tree of life), and images from the common life of people, of couples in courtship and intimacy, musicians and dancers, apsaras and ornamental scrollwork.