Shiva Temple, Sakor, Gupta era Shiva temple with the oldest known Nataraja iconography
The Shiva Temple in Sakor is a Hindu shrine from the 6th century standing on a raised platform and facing west. The structure includes a prayer hall and inner sanctum, originally topped with a tower-like shikhara, with the ornate doorway featuring three bands of carved designs including floral motifs and divine figures.
The temple was constructed around 530 CE at the end of the 6th century, reflecting the architectural skills of that era. It suffered significant damage from invasions and warfare, with only the doorway to the inner sanctum surviving intact before recent restoration efforts rebuilt the structure using original stones.
The temple faces west, allowing visitors to approach from the east and witness the sunrise during their visit. This orientation reflects how religious customs have endured in this region across centuries and shaped the spiritual practices of devotees.
The temple sits in a small, quiet village and is easily accessible on foot within the settlement. Visiting in the early morning provides the best light for viewing the carved details and allows you to experience the calm surroundings.
An inscription on the prayer hall roof dates to around 1303 CE, showing the temple remained honored and remembered centuries after its original construction. This carving reveals how sacred this location remained across multiple eras and different periods of history.
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