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Mālā Devi Temple At Gyaraspur
KRISHNA DEVA
This temple, picturesquely perched on the slope of a hill, is a tower1 ing landmark at Gyaraspur which is a place of considerable archaeological interest, situated 24 miles north-east of the district town of Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. Partly rock-cut and partly structural, this temple stands on a large terrace cut out of the hill-side and strengthened by a massive retaining wall. The temple faces east and is a sāndhāra prāsāda consisting of an ardha-mandapa (entrance porch), maņdapa, antarala and a sanctum with an ambulatory. The sanctum is crowned by a lofty śikhara of the curvilinear form, capped by an amalaka and kalasa.
EXTERIOR
The exterior of the temple is exquisitely carved with figures and designs in relief. The larger niches, crowned by elaborate udgamas or pediments of caitya-arches; the smaller niches, surmounted by tall pediments decorated with a mesh of caitya-gavākṣas; and the projecting balconies which are also crowned by a pediment of caitya-arches, form the most conspicuous ornamentation of the elevation. Added to this are the interesting panels of figure reliefs, scrolls and other decorative designs occurring on the basement mouldings. The basement shows the usual mouldings of khura, khumbha, kalaša, occasionally relieved with interesting faces (usually carried on two
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