Information of Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh

Dashavatara Temple is a vital construction of Gupta talent which is situated in Deogarh of Uttar Pradesh. Established in 500 AD, Dashavatara Temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu. The name Dashavatara Temple signify ten embodiments of lord Vishnu. This temple demonstrates the ornate and attractiveness of structures which can be observed during Gupa era. Dashavatara Temple is also regarded as a good source for assessing Gupta architectural patterns.

Dashavatara Temple Religious Significance

Gupta period being an age of deep religious curiosity, observed the construction of extensive number of temples and religious constructions and one of them is Dashavatara Temple. Dashavatara Temple was established under the Puranic religious ideas. It represent both beauty and faith. The sculptures presented in Dashavatara Temple played a protuberant part in the religious revolution on that time.

Dashavatara Temple is counted among the most illustrious temples devoted to lord Vishnu. It is one of most primitive Panchyatana temples in northern India. Dashavatara Temple houses images and symbols of various popular Hindu deities such as lord Krishna and lord Shiv. According to Hindu religious belief, Dashavatara Temple permits individuals to communicate with the gods they worship. At present, the temple has become a great tourism place for religious visitors.

Dashavatara Temple Mythology & History

The sculptures which are represented in Dashavatara Temple states various myths of lord Vishnu. As the name suggest, Dashavatara signify the ten avatars of lord Vishnu. In Hindu mythology, lord Vishnu is believed to incline in the form of an avatar for restoring the cosmic balance. The list of avatars of lord Vishnu differs across factions and regions. At times, lord Krishna swaps lord Vishnu as the source of every avatars. Dashavatara Temple represents Vaishnava mythology with respect to Gajendra Moksha, Nara Narayana Tapasya and Sheshashayi Vishnu. In this context, Gajendra Moksha signify lord Vishnu coming to salvage Gajendra from controls of Makara. It is a Puranic myth from Bhagavad Purana where Gajendra is believed to have attained four armed form and went with lord Vishnu.

Nara Narayana on the other hand, is the incarnation of lord Vishnu who acted in order to preserve justice. According to the thought of Nara Narayana, human soul is the eternal mate of divine Vishnu. In Sheshashayi Vishnu, lord Vishnu is portrayed on the Serpent with four arms lying down on the helix of serpent. Another exclusive statue in Dashavatara Temple demonstrate the legend of lord Krishna, where lord Devaki handed over her new born son, i.e. lord Krishna himself to Vasudev.

Dashavatara Temple Architectural Significance

Dashavatara Temple is the first temple in northern India which has towers. The temple possesses a high platform and is set with a cellar doorway. The excellence of Gupta architectural style can be observed in Dashavatara Temple with statues of several Hindu deities such as lord Shiv, lord Surya and lord Kartikeya among others. Unfortunately, majority portion of Gupta structures in the temple have lost because of the inability of maintenance by the successors. Still, the temple's splendid carved panels remain as the entity of gratitude by visitors and devotees.

In Dashavatara Temple, a protective wall was created from stone work. In the adjoining cellar of the temple, there is carved figurines of river divinities. Furthermore, in the side walls, there is three big engraved sections of lord Vishnu. The back walls of Dashavatara Temple demonstrate carved plates in relation to the various surfaces of lord Vishnu's life. Finally, it can be stated that the statues of Dashavatara Temple are best depictions of Gupa era culture, having sumptuous and elegant displaying of figurines.