Category:Chaubara Dera 1, Un

Chaubara Dera 1 temple, Un 

An 11th-century ruined Hindu temple
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Instance of	Hindu temple
Location	Khargone district, Indore division, Madhya Pradesh, India
21° 49′ 18.4″ N, 75° 27′ 16.8″ E
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The Chaubara Dera number 1 temple is an 11th-century Hindu temple in Un village, about 10 miles west of Khargone city. The temple is the largest historic monument in Un, even though it only survives in a much damaged form. It is generally attributed to the polymath Raja Bhoja, as this temple shares some artwork style with those found in other temples of his era.

The original name of the temple is unknown. In the 19th-century, like most sites in Un, portions of this temple were overrun by vegetation and covered under a mound. The locals knew it was a part of some "prachin mandir", and they called it as Chaubara Dera 1 (lit. "camp or mound with mandapa open on four sides").

In late 20th-century, limited excavations and restoration efforts have revealed the sections that survived above its platform, as well as temple parts, ruins and three inscriptions. The hall of the temple now holds the ruins and artwork discovered here and nearby. These include both Hindu and Jain sculpture. Though the monument was once open on four sides, the original temple was open on three sides and the destruction of its sanctum created the fourth opening. The lower part of the temple remains buried. The temple has been reinforced and partly rebuilt for safety.

The temple faces east, has a mukhamandapa, a profusely carved mahamandapa, an antarala and a garbhagriya. It is notable for a square sanctum wrapped in a vimana with a stellate plan outside. The temple had a sikhara above the sanctum (superstructure on top), but it was torn down at some point. The doorway to the sanctum has a saptasakha decoration. On the lalatabimba is Ganesha. The two lintels in the antarala are decorated with Saraswati, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, and Saptamatrikas. The relative positions confirm that this was a Shiva temple.

The mandapa pillars have square base and circular cross-section at the top. They are intricately carved with apsaras, Hindu deities, dancers and musicians. The three inscriptions found in this temple are all damaged and incomplete. One mentions the name Udayaditya – a Paramara king, which led to early though incorrect theories that everything in Un was built by him. Later studies suggest that Udayaditya worshipped and made a donation to this temple during his reign. The other inscriptions are special: one is a portion of an alphabetical chart and the other inscription lists a few Sanskrit grammar rules. These inscriptions suggest that this temple was likely a part of a Hindu education center or college monastery of 11th century Un.