The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to place two temple complexes of historical importance — Vyas Bhadora and Ashapuri — on the world tourism map.
Madhya Pradesh culture minister Laxmikant Sharma made this announcement while releasing the book Grandeur of Granite Shiv-Yogini Temples of Vyas Bhadora, written by senior IAS officer Ashok Shah, at a function in Bhopal on Thursday. Mr Sharma told the audience that the Thirteenth Finance Commission has sanctioned `175 crore for preservation of archaeological monuments in the state. Speaking about the Vyas Bhadora temples, he said that the use of granite in their construction is very striking.
The restoration of the Ashapuri temples built between eighth and twelfth century A.D by the Pratihara and Parmara rulers, that were lying in ruins close to the Bhojpur Temple in Raisen district near the state capital, is now in an advanced stage, the minister said.
Mr Shah said that the temples of Vyas Bhadora, in Chandla sub-tehsil of Chhatarpur district, are perhaps the first link in the story of temple architecture of the Chandela rulers. Two of the thirteen Vyas Bhadora temples were declared as state-protected monuments by the Madhya Pradesh government in 1990. It is evident from their architecture that these temples were built before the famous temples of Khajuraho, he said, adding temple number 1 and 2 are built on a high elevation and are dedicated to Lord Shiva.