Radhika Bihari Temple, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India.
The journey may be of any destination, it connects us. Historical places introduce us to the traditions and culture before us, whereas natural places apart from touching our lives are also capable of communicating new energy. Of course Radhika Bihari Temple situated in Orchha is one such magnificent and classical ancient Hindu temple was dedicated to Radha and Krishna and now in ruins even neglected by the tourists.
The entrance of this temple which is a Toran dwar made of sandstone is very attractive and elegant. On either side of this gate are hanging balconies supported by ornate stone brackets with domes on their roofs and stone elephants facing the entrance as if greeting incoming devotees.
The east-facing temple was built by the ruler of Orchha, Veer Singh Bundela who ruled from 1605-1627 AD. The ground plan of the temple consists of the sanctum, the antarala and the mandapa. The interior plan includes Nagara style altars, walls, oriels and Shikharas. The mandap has large size ribbed hemispherical dome. Shikhara or the tower above the sanctum is a five chariot pattern and spires are merged at the peak, which has a stone wheel and the centre is adorned with finials. Shikhara adornments resembles the Khajuraho style of temple architecture. An oriel and niches are made in the walls of the square sanctum. The door frames of the entrance are made of stone. The door jamb of the sanctum’s entrance and antechamber entrance are carved with images of Ganesha and the vertical members of the entrance are carved with images of dvarapalas. The mandapa is rectangular but the ceiling of the square portina in the center is octagonal dome shaped. In addition to the entrance in the main mandapa, there are three doors, one of which is located in the antechamber in front of the sanctum in the west. The decorative work by stucco on the walls and ceiling shows its excellence even today.
There are small chhatris with nagara style spires at the four corners and small dome shaped chhatris in the center supported by four pillars above the Mandapa. Below the Kalash a small domed canopy supported by six stone pillars over the large dome is built.
It has many notable features which is difficult to mention and this grand temple is an elegant example of the Bundela temple architecture.
The most surprising thing is that the access of tourists to this wonderful monument is almost negligible. The temple appears to have had walls around it and the complex must have been entered through attractive gateways as is evident from the remains. It is near the Betwa river and the local people have made this memorial a godown to keep their hay. People are farming around it and there is no substantial evidence of protection by the archaeological department or the government.
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