Gauri Shankar Temple

Gauri Shankar Temple

Naggar, Himachal Pradesh

Gauri Shankar Temple is located near Naggar Castle. Below is a description of this temple written by the Archaeological Survey of India.

“This beautiful temple dedicated to shiva and assigned to date between eleventh-twelfth century A.D. is the last great monument of the Gurjara-Pratihara traditions which flourished in Kullu valley. It is tri-anga in plan, possessing bhadra, pratiratha and karna projections. The garbhagriha is square at the base and vedibandha consists of plain kumbha decorated with ardharatna motif and followed by a kalsa and kapojali. The jangha-walls contains bhadra niches on the east, north and south. The walls are decorated with square and rectangular recesses containing dancers and musicians, birds, purnakumbha and purvaratnas. The curvilinear sikhara topped by an amalaka is decorated with chaitya windows while the corners are interspaced with bhumi-amalakas. The images of Gauri and Shankara are enshrined in the sanctum. The shallow porch has two round columns with square bases and the circular shaft is topped by square capitals of the chatapallava variety. A stone bhadramukha is placed on the south niche of the temple. The sanctum has five receding jambs and lintels having a blend of floral and geometrical designs with Ganesha sitting on the lalatabimba. Below the entrance to the sanctum are shown the river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna and Dwakpalas on either side. The image of Nandi is in front of the entrance.”