Nachna Hindu temples

 

Nachna Hindu temples 

Nachna Hindu temples, also referred to as Nachana temples or Hindu temples at Nachna-Kuthara, are some of the earliest surviving stone temples in central India along with those at Bhumara and Deogarh. Their dating is uncertain, but comparing their style to structures that can be dated, some of the Nachna temples are variously dated to the 5th- or 6th-century Gupta Empire era. The Chaturmukha temple is dated to the 9th century. These temples illustrate a North Indian style of Hindu temple architecture.

Most of the temples in the area are in ruins. The best preserved and most studied monument is the Parvati temple at Nachna. The temples are built on a raised and moulded plinth, a square plan, a square sanctum that is surrounded by a circumambulation passage with perforated screen stone windows. The entrance into the sanctum is flanked by goddess Ganga and Yamuna. The Parvati temple has an upper storey with a doorway. The temple includes both religious motifs and secular scenes such as amorous mithuna couples. The temples are notable for some of the earliest known stone friezes narrating several scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

The temples are near the Panna National Forest, are now a pilgrimage site, which is also referred to as Chaumukhnath.