The Kalayat Ancient Brick Temple Complex is a ruined brick temple complex north of Delhi, is located in Kalayat town in Kaithal district of the state of Haryana, India. It comprises the several Hindu temples, including two ancient temples dating from the 8th century.[1] This temple constitutes an important point in the series of 48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra.[2] Tradition avers that the temples are associated with the Shalivahana (Raja Sálbán).[3]
History
The name Kalayat appears to be derived from "Kapilayatana", which translates to the "home of sage Kapila". According to local legends, in ancient times, five brick temples were located beside the holy tank. However, only two temples now survive. These temples are built in the Gurjara-Pratihara style, and can be dated to 8th century CE. One of the two surviving temples has undergone heavy modifications.[1]
Temple complex
The temples were built in Nagara style of Gurjara-Pratihara School. The layout of the temples indicates there were originally five temples in the Panchayatan group on the banks of holy KapilayatnaTirtha (water tank). In the Panchayatan the main shrine was surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, which is contemporaneous to the temples of Khajuraho and Bhubaneshwar. Locally made red bricks were the main source of material for the buildings and sculptures. They were built without using any plaster or mortar. Only two temples survive. One temple is a Shiva temple in the Pancha Rathas style with a Linga statue and snake statue.[4] Temples have a square-shaped shrine of the carved bricks joined without any mortar. The bricks in the sikhara are joined to form beehive patterns similar to the facade of the rock-cutchaitya hall of Ajanta or Ellora. This style of sculpting evolved from the Gupta (4-6th century CE) and post-Gupta architecture.[3]
Kalayat, where the temple complex is located, is connected by road. Rail and air links are available in the nearby major cities such as Chandigarh and Delhi.
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