Venkat Bihari Temple, Kalinjar Fort, Kalinjar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Among the many historical monuments located in the Kalinjar fort, there is a Venkat Bihari temple which attracts tourists spontaneously with its magnificent Bundela architectural style. Due to its style it might have been built during mid 17- 18th century. It’s built in the North-West of the Rani Mahal.
This rectangular temple is built on a high platform which is east-facing. The platform can be reached by stairs in the north direction. This temple is closed by four walls with the provision of the main entrance multifoil pointed arch gate in the eastern side. On the outer walls there are multi lobed arches with lime plaster. Some of the arches are blind and some have lattices so that enough light and fresh air can reach inside. The cornice above the arches is ornamented. Above the cornice are carved stone brackets supporting the stone overhangs. Above the overhangs, there is a roof and parapet on which a series of petals is made by plaster. The parapet of the main eastern gate is a trefoil arch wall having three arches. The roof is adorned with a large fluted dome erected on the octagonal arched base just above the sanctum. It has numerous canopies built on post lintel structure. Stone pillars of these square canopies are decorated by carvings and support the pointed arches. Above the lintel decorated cornice supports the overhangs and decorated parapet surrounds the octagonal base of the domes similar to the main dome but small in size. All domes are decorated with inverted lotus petals and topped with the finials. It has two rectangular structure as sanctum’s portion is symmetrically projected in the North and South directions. One enters the mandap from the entrance and this mandap is very attractive whose vaulted roof rests on multi-lobed arches. After the Mandapa in the west is the antechamber and sanctum which does not have any image of any Hindu deity. It has a circumambulatary path. A narrow staircase to access the rooftop. Near the steps at ground level a damaged monolithic stone tank is placed.
It’s a major tourists attraction located within the Kalinjar Fort.