Harshat Mata Temple

Highlights

• The Harshat Mata Temple is a Hindu temple in the Abhaneri (or "Abaneri") village of Rajasthan, in north-western India.
• The temple is dedicated to a goddess named Harshat Mata, although some art historians theorize it was initially a Vaishnavite shrine.
• The original temple appears to have been built in the panchayatana style, which features a main shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
• Only parts of the main shrine now survive, and they have been ruined and modified over several centuries, with the tall shikhara tower replaced by a roof-dome.
• Much of the platform survives, with fragments of carved stones from the original structure, but most of the sculptures have been removed to the museums in Amber and Jaipur.

Dress Code

Modest, respectful clothing is expected at this site.

Architecture

• •The original temple appears to have been built in the panchayatana style, which features a main shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
• •Though ruined and modified over several centuries, parts of the main shrine and the bottom of an open mandapa with columns seem intact.
• •Much of the platform survives, and carved stones from the original structure lie around it, but most of the sculptures have been removed to the museums in Amber, Rajasthan, and the Central Museum, Jaipur.
• •The entrance to the temple faces east, towards the rising sun.

Travel Tips

• The analysis of its architectural and sculptural style suggests it was built in the early 9th century, shortly after the adjoining Chand Baori stepwell was constructed.

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