Kiradu temples

Kiradu Temple
Kiradu Temple Location within Rajasthan Kiradu Temple Location within Rajasthan
Geography
Coordinates	25°45′N 71°23′E / 25.75°N 71.38°E

The Kiradu temples are located at about 35 km from Barmer and 157 km from Jaisalmer in a town situated in Thar desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan.There are five temples in all and most remarkable of them is Someshvara Temple .These temples feature impressive sculpture and a Solanki style of architecture. The temples are called 'The Khajuraho of Rajasthan' due to its erotic architecture. The temples were built during 11-12 century.

History

Kiradu was originally known as Kiradkot. It was ruled by a clan of Rajputs between the 6th and 8th centuries. In the early period they had been feudal subordinates of the Chalukyas of Gujarat and hence the latter's influence is seen in the temples.

Traces of the Gupta period are found in the older Bhagwan Shiva temples.

A sad story is told of the decline of this place. An ancient sage left behind his disciple to the care of the people of Kiradu, but except for a potter's wife no one carried out the sage's wish. The saint cursed the town but told the potter's wife beforehand to leave and never turn back.

Out of curiosity she turned to take one last look at her hometown and was instantly turned to stone. Her statue is still visible in the outskirts of the town.