Ahileshwar temple complex, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh

This heartland of India where lifeline river of many states flows is a town setup by Ahilyabai Holkar. In ancient time the place was known as Mahismati. Later it was almost diminished from the mind of the people and then Ahilyabai in 18th century decided to make Maheshwar a capital of her Maratha kingdom, it gained more importance.

Maheshwar is worth a study for students of arts and architecture. In fact this visit was made in the 1st year of my Bachelor in Architecture.

Nagar style of architecture The Ahileshwar temple complex consist of  cenotaph and a temple. Complex ascends towards town and descends towards the river through a steps and intricately carved entrances. Women in their Ghunghats takes rest , Men in paghdi and dhoti kurta with a stick in the hand commutes everyday to the river from the town through the complex.

Lotus dome

Maheshwar, located on bank of river Narmada, is very intimate troves of temples. Captured during study of architecture, this temple complex and history of town is worth a study. The cenotaph of the temple is dedicated to Vithoji Rao. Interesting thing about this complex is that many movies are shot on this bank due to its beautiful architectural elements facing the river. This gives the best background for movies. Moreover, the river remains full throughout the year. For example, Rewa - A Gujarati movie which has its scenes shot here. and Padman - A Bollywood movie starring Akshay Kumar. Interesting aha!

Stone staircase ascending to the town of Maheshwar. Vithoji Rao Chhatri and a fort wall in the rear

Behind the cenotaph the wall of the fort rises up. Whole of the town and the fort faces the river and helps many of the people to do there daily offerings to the river. There are layers of steps and stages which flows downwards to the courtyard facing Vithoji Rao temple. The design details of carvings are elephants and the soldiers of the Royal army. Locality children play here on steps and inside the complex very happily.

Temples overlooking River Narmada from Ahileshwar temple

The Vithoji Rao cenotaph and Ahileshwar temple overlooks the River Narmada. Along with the cenotaph the structures have established statues of Durga and Shivling inside. So, it is called a temple instead of a cenotaph among the locals. Both Vithoji Chhatri and Ahileshwar temple have different details carved and it might be due to distinct construction periods.

Vithoji Rao Chhatri

The structure is dedicated to Vithoji Rao. The plinth is raised more than 6 feet and above it has parapet which has motif of flowers specially the lotus carved on stone. The plinth has series of elephants walking together with difference in their poses. Each piece of carving is framed with embossed outlines and with repetition of the tiny flat chiseled designs.

Chhatri adjacent to the Ahileshwar temple

This is a gateway on the side of the temple of Ahileshwar. Temples have three doors and this is on the right of the main sabha grah. Two steps climb up to the otla and then to the level of the sabha grah. Pilgrims who come to the aim of praying to God or River Narmada sits here under this porch. From this porch sometimes people starts circumambulating the temple.

Jarokha in Madhya Pradesh

You can easily feel India here. Visual impact and grandeur makes us realize the rich heritage of the country. The word Rich Heritage will be almost specified for mostly all of the towns of India by me because our traditions in-spite of being so old portrays prosperous historical legacy. 

lets peep out !

When you are tired after wandering throughout the town of Maheshwar you can rest here in whiff of the history facing the calm waters of River Narmada. I don't think the feeling here is at all different from the Ghats of  Varanasi.

Now, lets go to offer a prayer to River Narmada!

Photos captured with Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80  -

 16.1 Megha Pixels

Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 8x Zoom lens