Chaturbhuj Temple, Gwalior
Chaturbhuj 'Temple, or the Temple of Zero' is a Hindu temple excavated in a rock face in the Gwalior Fort, in 875 AD, by Alla, the son of Vaillabhatta, and the grandson of Nagarabhatta a nagar brahmin in present-day Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Temple
It is a relative small temple with a square plan of side. The temple has a portico at its entrance supported by four carved pillars. The pillars show reliefs of individuals meditating in yoga asana position, as well as amorous couples. To the right of the portico is covered pillared mandapa, like a choultry. The doorway into the rock is flanked by goddess Ganga and Yamuna. The ceiling of the temple is a low square pyramid, similar to the Dhamnar temple. The tower of the temple is North Indian Nagara style, that slowly curves with a square plan, all carved out of the monolithic rock. It has an inscription that opens with a praise for Vishnu, then Shiva and nine Durgas, as well states that it was excavated in 876 CE. Inside there is a wall relief of Varaha and another of four armed Vishnu. It also a carving of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi with four arms. The name of the temple may be derived from four armed Vishnu and Lakshmi.The temple is partially damaged, and much of the interior artwork is missing, with all the faces removed. Its tower has been restored, and a locked steel double-folding-expanding scissor-link see-through gate was installed.