Harshat Mata Temple Abhaneri

Harshat Mata Temple Abhaneri
Vital Information for Visitors
Address:

Harshat Mata Temple, Abhaneri Village, District Dausa, Rajasthan

Open & Close:

Open on all days

Timing :

08:00 AM – 06:00 PM

Entry Fees:

NIL

Duration:

30 Minutes

Famous For:

Historical & architectural heritage

Outside Chand Baori , a temple of Harshat Mata naturally attracts attention of every tourist. Harshat Mata, a form of Goddess Durga, is considered to be the goddess of happiness as well as joy. As per the popular belief, the goddess is always happy and spreads joy throughout the region. The construction of ancient temple of Harshat Mata, situated at a small village of Abhaneri or Abha Nagari of Rajasthan, four miles from Bandikui Railway Station in Jaipur district, has been ascribed to the 8th century. The original temple is in ravaged form as it was destroyed by the barbaric and religiously intolerant Islamic invader Mahmud Ghazni in eleventh century. One can spot several chiseled pillars, columns and idols lying heaped up in the courtyard and corridors of the re-constructed temple. As per the archaeologists, the original temple was built in Panchayatan style, the main shrine with sanctum sanctorum in the center and the four subsidiary shrines on each corner. During its heydays, the temple was having a sky high Nagara architectural style ‘shikhar’ but the reconstructed temple is adorned with dome-like structure.

Though the builder of Harshat Mata Temple is unknown but the historians are of the opinion that it was built by some local Chahaman vassal of Gurjar-Pratihar kings. Constructed on a raised plinth and east-facing, the temple of Harshat Mata was built in Mahameru style of temple superstructure comprising Panchratha Sanctum, Sandhara Garbhagriha, pillared ‘mandapam’ and domical ceiling. Each niche of ‘garbhagriha’ has enchanting Hindu deities. The main attraction of the temple is its deep relief carved sculptures. It was famous as a centre of the Shakti cult in that period. The idols and images in the temple are the work of the skilled sculptors and artists on stone and metal. The sculptural work takes us back to the tradition of Deogarh School during the Gupta period. Sculptural dexterity is revealed from the heap of stones lying around the new temple, constructed out of the ruins of the old one. The images on the inner walls of the new temple are carved in deep relief and scenes representing secular character. In the post Gupta sculptures of Abhaneri, inspiration has borne fruit and the sculptured stones pulsate with surging life that gives the female form the poise and tenseness of rising sap. The sculptures of Abhaneri illustrate scenes of music, dance, nature, beauty and the meeting of lovers. The forms are ancient, the idiom lyrical, there is a flesh of abandon, of richness and fullness handled with a restraint that is masterly. Harshat Mata Temple is a live temple, partially restored on the ancient ruins. It’s still in use by the locals and Hindu devotees and regular worship rituals are carried out. It’s an example of the will of the villagers to keep their heritage intact.

Abhaneri Tour Packages

India Golden Triangle Tour

India Golden Triangle Tour

6 Nights / 7 Days
Destination : Delhi- Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Abhaneri-Jaipur

Incredible India with Diwali Tour

Incredible India with Diwali Tour

15 Nights / 16 Days
Destination : Delhi-Udaipur-Jaipur-Abhaneri-Fatehpur-Sikri-Agra-Orchha-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Mumbai-Goa

North India Heritage Tour

North India Heritage Tour

9 Nights / 10 Days
Destination : Delhi – Jaipur – Abhaneri – Fatehpur Sikri- Agra- Gwalior- Orchha-Khajuraho - Varanasi

Golden Triangle with Varanasi Tour

Golden Triangle with Varanasi Tour

7 Nights / 8 Days
Destination : Delhi - Jaipur - Abhaneri - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Varanasi - Sarnath - Delhi

View All

Enquire Now

Enquire Now