Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh – Temple Guide to Know History

February 18, 2024
Posted by Mamendra

The Dashavatara temple also called the Gupta temple or Sagar Marh or Vishnu temple of Deogarh is a well-known Hindu temple in the small town of Deogarh in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in north India.

This temple is dedicated to the main deity Lord Vishnu and is known for its beautiful sculptures and intricate carvings, which are thought to date back to the sixth century AD. For people who worship Lord Vishnu, going to the Dashavatara Mandir is a must, as it is believed to be one of India’s holiest and most important temples. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this sacred site before you plan a trip there.

History of Dashavatara Temple (Vishnu Temple)

The Gupta mandir of Deogarh is known for its beautiful carvings and sculptures, which depict the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu (ten incarnations of Vishnu). These avatars include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki.

During the Gupta period, in the sixth century, the Mandir was built. It was still a significant place of worship during the Middle Ages. In the 1830s, a British officer named Captain Charles Strahan was the first to find it. However, the famous British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham gave the temple its name and recognized its historical significance.

In the 1870s, Cunningham did a lot of digging at the site, and what he found helped prove the mandir’s importance in the history of Indian art. The intricate carvings and sculptures in the temple have influenced the way Indian art has changed over time.

The Dashavatara Temple is still an important religious and cultural site in India, and people come worldwide to see it. It shows how much history and culture the area has and reminds us of how Hinduism has been a part of Indian society for a long time.

Other Famous Temples in Uttar Pradesh	Other Famous Vishnu Temples in India
Bhakti Mandir Mangarh

The architecture of Dashavatara Temple

The Mandir is built on a square platform high off the ground. The temple has a tower-like building called a shikhara that stands above the main shrine. Gods and goddesses are carved into the shikara in beautiful ways. Beautiful carvings and sculptures from Hindu mythology are on the temple’s walls.

In front of the main shrine is a mandapa, a hall with columns. The mandapa is supported by twelve pillars adorned with intricate carvings of various deities. The ceiling of the mandapa is also decorated with beautiful carvings.

People know the Mandir for its beautiful sculptures, some of the best examples of Gupta art. The sculptures show different stories from Hindu mythology, such as the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the churning of the ocean of milk, and the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Overall, the Dashavatara Temple is a beautiful example of Gupta architecture and is considered one of India’s finest temples. It is a must-see place for anyone interested in Hindu mythology or Indian art and architecture because of its beautiful sculptures and carvings.

Significance of Dashavatara Temple

River goddesses Ganga and Yamuna are carved into the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum with great care. Three stone and brick panels with carvings also tell stories from Vaishnav mythology. One of them shows Gajendra Moksha, in which Vishnu saves Gajendra, an elephant, from Makara, a crocodile, and then comes to earth to give Gajendra Moksha or salvation.

The figure of Nara Narayana Tapasya is carved into the second panel. They were two saints from Indian mythology doing a tapasya, or austerity. The third one is called Anantshayi Vishnu, and it shows Lord Vishnu sleeping on Shesha, a snake with seven heads.

On one panel, the story of how the weapons of Vishnu drove away the demons Madhu and Kaitava is told. The five Pandavas from the Mahabharata and their wife, Draupadi, are shown on another panel.

Other walls tell about things Vishnu did in his life and what Rama and Krishna did as their avatars. Tourists and people who are interested in art and history like to see such beautiful and well-made buildings.

Dashavatara Temple Timing

Dashavatara shrine, Deoghar Timing is 9:00 AM To 6:00 PM

Darsan Dresscode to Visit Dashavatara Temple

Visitors are expected to dress modestly and respectfully while visiting the shrine.

How to reach Dashavatara Temple?

Dashavatara mandir is located in the Deogarh district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Here are the ways to reach there:

Location Map of Deogarh Dashavatara Temple

By Air

The nearest airport to Deogarh is Jhansi airport, located in Varanasi, around 112 km away. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Deogarh.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Lalitpur, which is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Lucknow. You can take a train to Lalitpur Railway Station, hire a taxi, or take an auto-rickshaw to reach the mandir.

By Road

Deogarh is well-connected to major cities and towns in Uttar Pradesh through a network of well-maintained roads. You can hire a taxi or take a bus from nearby towns like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Allahabad to reach Deogarh.

Once you reach Deogarh, you can take a local taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the Dashavatara shrine, located in the heart of the town.

Best Time to Visit Deogarh Dashavatara Temple

The best time to visit Deogarh Dashavatara shrine is during the winter months, between October and March. During this time, the weather is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C, making it ideal for exploring the temple and its surroundings.

Visiting the mandir during the monsoon season (July-September) is not recommended, as heavy rains can make the roads and pathways leading to the mandir slippery and challenging to navigate.

The summer months (April-June) can be pretty hot and humid, with temperatures soaring up to 45°C, making it uncomfortable for visitors to explore the mandir and its surroundings.

Dashavatara Temple – Nearest Hotel, Restaurant, Medical Store, ATM

Nearest Restaurant	Nearest Hotel	Nearest Medical Store	Nearest ATM
Dipali Breakfast Centre (10.4 km)	Sanjay Greens (46.2 km)	Maa Peetambara Medical Store (9.9 km)	SBI ATM (24.5 km)