File:8th century Naresar temples, Madhya Pradesh 02.jpg

English: The Naresar temples – also referred to as the Nareshwar temples – are a group of about 20 small to moderate sized Hindu temples about 25 kilometers north of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. These temples date from about the 8th-century, with some flat roof temples possibly earlier. This site is from the Gurjara-Pratihara era.

The original Naresar temples site was likely a larger collection of temples as the extant site evidences many empty temple platforms. Made from stone, these temples include Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta and Saura traditions of Hinduism. Some sanctums here are empty while many sanctums have a Shiva linga. Given the iconography on the lalitabimbas, the original dedication for some was likely Vishnu and Durga, for most others, Shiva. The Naresar site was likely one of the hubs of Shaivism in north Madhya Pradesh.

The Naresar temples are notable for several reasons:

• One of the temples in the lower level cluster is one of the few surviving examples of "Sala-sikhara" architecture described in historic Sanskrit literature of Hinduism. These are also referred to as the "wagon-vault" roofed Hindu temples, or variations of the "Valabhi" (oblong vaulted) Hindu temples. The other pre-10th century relatively uncommon examples of this design in Hindu monuments are found in Bhima and Ganesha ratha at Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Khimeshwara temple in Gujarat, Jageshwara temple in Himachal Pradesh, Vaithal Deul temple in Odisha, and Teli-ka-mandir in Gwalior (also Madhya Pradesh).
• Several of Naresar temples are rare examples of Hindu temples that do not follow the square principle, or other classical plans for Hindu temples (apsidal, circular, etc). A few of the Naresar temples explore rectangular floor plans. Yet remarkably, the Naresar temples have certain rhythmic geometric ratios in their plans and proportions, ratios such as 2:1:2:1:2, 3:5, 7:10, 2:5, 3:4, 4:9 and others. For more details, see Michael Meister's peer reviewed publications.
• The Hindu iconography seen here are useful in the comparative studies with major Hindu sites in Morena region, such as at the Batesar, Mitawali and Padhavali sites.
• The Naresar temples group are one of the early surviving example of passageway and temple construction with elegant hydraulics and natural water stream management. The upper cluster of temples is near a small lake. The water from it, particularly during monsoons, flows into a scenic waterfall that is directed through an 8th-century manmade passage along the lower clusters of temples. Stone bridges and stone walkways were built over the water streams and between temples to manage how the water flows and how day to day life can continue smoothly without water flooding, water damage to the temples, or other problems.

The site is a few kilometers off the national highway 44, yet rural and remote, set past a hiking trail. The Naresar temples are in four clusters near each other, along a scenic gorge uphill.

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