Amazing Jarai ka Math, Barua Sagar, Jhansi, UP

An ancient temple dating back to the 9th century stands by the side of the road. You may miss it if you are not alert and not specifically looking for it. A lone board with information about the temple put up by the Archaeological Survey of India stands forlornly at the gate that leads to the temple. This is a Hindu temple that is believed to have been dedicated to Shakti worship, it is called Jarai Ka Math and is located by the side of the National Highway NH39 in Barua Sagar, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.

Though the temple is relatively small, it has exquisite carvings on its outer walls which are well preserved. We visited the Jarai Ka Math on our exploration of the heritage sites of Madhya Pradesh, Jarai Ka Math in Uttar Pradesh was unexpected serendipity in our explorations which included the likes of the Sanch Stupa, the Khajuraho group of monuments, the historic town of Chanderi, and the sights of Bhopal. This blog delves into the history and architecture of the ancient temple, read on to know more about Jarai Ka Math.

Jarai ka Math – Ancient Temple in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh

India is home to some of the most remarkable architectural wonders that the world has seen. Glorious examples of art and architecture have survived the vagaries of time for thousands of years and these invaluable gems of the country’s heritage are strewn across the length and breadth of India.

From the Great Living Chola temples of Thanjavur to the ruins of Vijayanagar in Hampi, from the resilient temple of Somnath and Srirangam to the temples of Khajuraho, the grandeur and the heights of Indian art and architecture are visible. But apart from these well-known monuments, there are many smaller ones that have left their mark in history, one such ancient monument is the ancient temple in Jhansi, Jarai Ka Math Jhansi.

History of Ancient Temple – Jarai ka Math

The ancient temple of Jarai Ka Math is believed to have been constructed by the king Mihira Bhoja I, who belonged to the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty in 860 AD. This dynasty held sway over much of Northern India between the 8th and 11th centuries. Mihira Bhoja is regarded as one of the important political leaders who rose to prominence during the 9th century.

Mihira Bhoja is known to have been a staunch devotee of Vishnu and is believed to have adopted the title of Adivaraha, which refers to the Varaha avatar of Vishnu. Many coins of his time that were inscribed with images of Vishnu in his Varaha avatar have been found. The Teli Ka Mandir which can be found within the Gwalior Fort is also credited to Mihira Bhoja I who ruled his kingdom from the capital of Kannauj which was then known as Panchala.

The Architecture & Artistry of Jarai ka Math Jhansi

The Jarai Ka Math stands as a signature in time of the Pratihara style of architecture. It is a monument now under the aegis of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and a designated heritage site. The temple stands atop a raised platform or Pitha and is surrounded by four minor temples. The temple is made up of a rectangular Pancharatha sanctum and the doorway to the temple is exquisitely ornamented, and so too the outer walls of the temple. The Shikhara is ornamented with a Jala of minute Gavaksha arches, however, sadly the upper portion has been lost and only five of its storeys stand today.

The Deity at Jarai ka Math Jhansi

There is a pedestal inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Jarai Ka Math, but the deity is missing. The form of the bejewelled right foot of the Goddess resting on a Lotus is barely visible.

However, in the centre of the lintel above the doorway to the temple is the image of a Goddess with multiple arms and this gives credence to the fact that the temple was dedicated to a female Goddess like Amba and was a temple of Shakti worship. The carvings of female Dwarpalas and other multiple carvings of Goddesses all around the outer walls of the temple also point to this surmise.

How To Get To The Jarai- Ka- Math Temple

• The location of the temple is Jarai ka Math – Barua Sagar near Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, India
• The temple is about 20 km from Orchha, an important heritage site in Madhya Pradesh
• This temple is about 19 kilometres from Jhansi in the state of Uttar Pradesh
• The ancient temple is located about 156 kilometres from Khajuraho
• The ancient temple is located about 125 kilometres from Gwalior
• The nearest Railway Station is in Jhansi about 19 kilometres away
• The nearest airports are at Gwalior and Khajuraho

If you are planning to visit the ancient temple, Jarai Ka Math, you can book your flight through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline right here. If you want to do a road trip, you can travel by road from Bhopal, Gwalior, or Jhansi by self-drive car or cab or bus.

Where To Stay When Visiting Jarai Ka Math

One can visit Jarai Ka Math either from Orchha or Jhansi and hence it is best to book your stay in any of the hotels in these places.

If you are looking to book your hotel in any of these destinations,  you can do that right here. You can book Jhansi hotels or Orchha hotels through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline and save a lot by getting the best savings on booking your stay.

The Jarai Ka Math Temple is an important heritage tourist attraction in Jhansi. We urge you to do visit it on your trip to Jhansi. If you are visiting Orchha, this important gem of UP tourism is nearby and you should make it a point to spend some time there admiring the exquisite craftsmanship of the temple. Do let us know your thoughts through our comments section.

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