Jagat Temples

Distance : 56km from Udaipur

¤ Ambika Mata Temple

Jagat, better known as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan, is famous only for its Ambika Mata Temple built in 961AD. The temple is small in size but quite a detailed one and dates back to the Pratihara period. The temple has a towered altar, a mandapa (columned prayer hall) with projections on two sides and a small porch in front. The mandapa has decorative windows on the north and south edged by carved and ornamented panels. The roof has additional alcoves that rise in the form of a pyramid in a number of eavelike rows. The porch is also protected by an angled eave. The beautiful engravings have also amply compensated the doorway that leads to the altar that houses a small Ambika image. The ceiling panels of the prayer hall and the porch are carved with multi-lobed motifs and pendant medallions. The mandapa also has a carved panel of the dancing Ganesha.


¤ The Magnificent Wall Sculptures

The exterior walls of the temple have decorated figurative panels set in alcoves and protected by several miniature caves. These alcoves contain female deities – in various forms of Durga, attendant maidens in sensuous postures and wild animals. Higher up the walls have seated musicians, amorous couples and, in absolute contrast, holy sages. The Junoesque tower rises above the altar with minute towered motifs at the corners and in the middle of each side.