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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Vijaynagar Circuit


The recently restored Vireshvar Narsimha temple, 20 km from Idar, off the Vijaynagar State highway, near Vijalsan Vasahat, which stands below a hill in a valley blessed with butterflies, birds, and a perennial (flowing through the year) water spring.
The ruins of the ancient temple complex known as "Ashram and Antarsumba." There are various idols and other stonework scattered around the temple ruins, sitting on a raised platform, with its spire and central dome collapsed. The largest shrine has a beautifully carved toran. There are more temple ruins off the road to Antarsumba, accessible only by foot, using the dam to cross the stream.
Remains of the fortification of the ancient city of Polo
A sun temple, standing between two hills, on a route parallel to a stream. It shares features with the main temple at Antarsumba.
A camp site where you can stay with permission from the forest officials, and most likely accompanied by guides.
Chhatris, as memorials for satis, women who immolated themselves for their husbands’ death.
A beautiful courtyard, further into the forest, with the Shiv Panchayat temple and the remains of a Jain temple. The latter was influenced by Mughal architects but built according to the ancient Sanskrit text Vastu Shastra, taking inspiration from the upright stability and balance of the human body, with great resistance to natural calamities such as earthquakes. It contains a lower chamber in which to hide the idols during raids and attacks on the temple, and two marble pillars, one of which is carved with the story of Mahavir Swami’s mother and the 14 dreams she had before his birth. There are also secondary temples next to the main temple.

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