Sun Temple, Madkhera Explained

Location:	Madkhera, Tikamgarh district, Madhya Pradesh
Deity:	Surya

Sun Temple, Madkhera is a temple located in the village of Madkhera, in Tikamgarh district, in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.^[1] It is listed as a state protected monument.

History

The temple was built during the reign of the Pratihara dynasty.

Description

It is located at the village of Madkhera, also spelt Markhera. The name of the village translates to "village of the temple", which suggests that it might have been named after this temple.^[2]

The east-facing temple is built on a plinth. It consists of a porch, ante-chamber, and sanctum. Dashavatara incarnations of Vishnu are displayed on various niches. The doorjamb of the ante-chamber contains sculptures of Ganga and Yamuna. The sanctum contains the idol of Surya standing over a lotus pedestal.^[3]

References

24.8701°N 78.7853°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: यह है मरखेड़ा का सूर्य मंदिर, पुरातत्व विभाग की अनदेखी से प्रतिमाएं हो रहीं दुर्दशा का शिकार . This is the Sun Temple of Madkhera, the statues are falling victim to dilapidation due to neglect by the archaeological department . . hi.
2. Book: Trivedi, R. D. . Temples of the Pratihara Period in Central India . . 1990 . 143.
3. Web site: Saxena . Saurabh . Lesser-known Surya temples in Central India . . 2021-07-28.