Apshad
- Vishnu Mandir
This
reputed Vaishnava kshetra enshrining a grand icon of Sri Mahavishnu
and the extensive tank lying here are the gifts of a royal family
that left behind a glorious record of service to theism.
Inscriptional evidence corroborates several magnanimous kainkaryas
offered, and endowments made to this holy temple by the king, his
queen and mother. And it seems they vied with one another in
offering their mighty mite to make this region resplendent with
temples, monasteries, tanks etc. The religious college that throbbed
with academic discussions, and spiritual activities was the
benefaction of Mahadevi, the mother of the king. The queen caused
huge sums diverted for the excavation of the huge tank and the king,
not to tag behind them built this holy temple beautified with
imposing tower and other essential parts. There are several icons of
superb craftsmanship that detain the visitors long, wringing
veneration. The nine foot high Varaha image of Mahavishnu with
Bhumata catching hold of the tusks and the Lord caressing her with
muzzle is an excellent specimen of sculptural araptistry, rarely found
any where is a sight that leaves unforgettable impression on the
visitors, which the gaze and gape for long. The temple built with
gray stone in the Gupta architectural style lies in front of a huge
conical brick mound truncated at the top. The stucco panels masterly
executed narrate many episodes from Ramayana. A visit to the temple
elevates and spiritualises the theists with its location,
dimensions, sculpture etc. to a great degree. It is a miss-not
temple of great antiquity coupled with divinity.
It
lies 22km off Nawadh, the chief town in the Nawadh district of
Bihar, accessible by four wheelers from several nearby towns.
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