Kolhapur to Khajuraho via Ellora

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho- Madhya Pradesh

Source: Mahashivratri

Built the Kandariya Mahadeva Mandir 

After Muhammad Mahmud Ghaznavi 

Attacked the Kalinjar fort again and again 

Only to fail and concede defeat 

Source: Remote Traveler

Dedicated to Prabhu Shiva 

The mandir from 1025-1050 AD 

Is the largest, tallest, and intricately carved structure in Khajuraho 

That complies with the rules of Vaastu 

And appears as a shiv ling to the aerial view 

Getting another name Chaturbhuj aalayam 

Source: Dreams Tiem Stock Photos- Pinterest

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Kailasha Temple, Ellora (cave 16)- Maharashtra

 

Krishna I, the king of the Rashrakuta dynasty 

Someone between the 8th and the 10th century 

Ordered the biggest monolithic temple in Ellora 

Source: Angela St John- Pinterest

The caves of Ellora spans centuries of marvels 

As each king continued the tradition

In the flourishing commercial center of the Deccan region 

Source: BritannicaImagine carving the tough basalt of the Sahyadri hills

With nay advanced technology except for skills 

Beyond modern-day comprehension 

The mandir stands stall in the Dravidian architecture 

Source: VedicFeed

Among more than 100 structures

The Kailasha mandir in cave 16 

Was built from the top, as the sculptors chipped their way down

Architech from Kokasa, the mastermind,  

Suggested this idea when the queen in her ill-health

Vowed to fast until she was the mandir’s shikara 

Let’s built the shikara first, the architect suggested

So that the queen would break her fast and continue to live 

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Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur, Kolhapur district- Maharashtra

Have you visited the masterpiece of Chalukyan architecture?

Located in Kolhapur, Kopeshwar mandir saw glory and destruction

Surviving enough to share its story with the coming generations

Some say it was built by the Badami Chalukyas in the 7th century 

Others say it was the Kalyani Chalukyas from the 9th century 

A few others declare it was the Shilahar kings from the 12th century

 

Source: Hermeticus Azalamb- Pinterest

The inscriptions on the walls in old Kannada and Devanagari 

Thankfully hold the clue to the origin 

Mentioning the Yadava Kings of Deogiri from 1204

As the ones, who renovated the structure 

To give fresh artistic additions 

Source: Ajay Pandey- Twitter

What do we even say about the Swarg Mandap 

A circular stone disc held high by 48 pillars

All carved to the minutest details, displaying art like no other 

The Grabhagriha or the sanctum is no different 

As every mesmerizes with the sculpting of the highest perfection

Source: Sid- the Wanderer

Kopeshwar mandir shares history with Maa Sati’s death 

As Prabhu Vishnu enters the scene to pacify the Eshwar 

To control his anger and save the world from destruction 

The mandir has two shiv lingams, one for each of them 

Marking the event forever in the pages of history  

Source: Story at Every Corner

Alas! The mandir lost a part of its charm 

When Aurangzeb, during his 1702 CE visit 

Destroyed the murtis and scattered the broken parts around 

The majestic 92 elephants, each uniquely carved on the outer walls

Are a testimony to the destruction caused by the Mughals 

With their broken trunks and leftover bodies 

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Source: 

https://greatancientindia.com/kandariya-mahadeva-temple-khajuraho/ 

https://www.livehistoryindia.com/amazing-india/2020/04/25/ellora-kailasa-temple 

https://www.inditales.com/kopeshwar-temple-khidrapur-maharashtra/

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