Ashapuri : The Cradle of Paramara and Pratihara Art : Temples Unveiled

Contents: Introduction. 1. Monumental signatures around Ashapuri. 2. The temple site.  3. Ornate features of the temples. 4. Architecture of the temples. 5. Art and iconography. 6. Sculptures of Ashapuri in museums. 7. Mason marks. 8. Master pieces.

While reading this book one takes journey into the Central India of the medieval period richly variegated with bewitching art of temple architecture and iconography which still stand today as a mark of unforgettable contribution of Paramara, Pratihara, Chandella and other dynasties in the field of art and culture. And, finally one lands up in Ashapuri the seat of Paramara Arts located at 35 km from Bhopal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh. The new discovery of temple groups approves that Ashapuri was the centre of experiment for temple construction where the footprints of Pratihara and Paramara arts can be seen coexisting together. In its vicinity of 20 km, Ashapuri has the remains of hundreds of temples, towns and settlements, some of them explored and others still to be brought in the notice of archaeologists and public.

 
Freshly researched and brimming with a wealth of details of temple architecture and iconography in the light of authorized texts, Ashapuri: the Cradle of Paramara and Pratihara Art, Temples Unveiled offers a rich insight into unearthing the details of newly discovered temples. The text in the book is well supported by a large number of photographs of temples and the fabulous sculptures enshrined in those temples. The iconography of Ashapuri was exceptionally rich and diversified which contained the images of almost all Hindu Gods, goddesses and semi-gods in their manifold configurations. It also opens a new chapter by adding another treasure to the Paramara Art of temple construction in the Central India. (jacket)