Sasbahu Temple, Gwalior

The temple was built in 1093 by King Mahipala of the [[Kachchhapaghata dynasty]]. The term Sasbahu is believed to be a local corruption of the original name Sahasra-bahu, meaning "one with a thousand arms," which is an epithet of Vishnu.

The temple was built in 1093 by King Mahipala of the [[Kachchhapaghata dynasty]]. The term Sasbahu is believed to be a local corruption of the original name Sahasra-bahu, meaning "one with a thousand arms," which is an epithet of Vishnu.

[[Jain]] heritage at Gwalior Fort includes both rock-cut and free-standing temples. In addition to the well-known 15th-century rock-cut statues of Jain Tirthankaras on the fort’s cliffs, historical evidence shows that what is now known as the Sas Bahu temple was originally recognized as a [[Jain]] temple dedicated to Bhagwan [[Adinath]]. Nineteenth-century photographs and engravings by British and Indian artists, including Lala Deen Dayal (c. 1870), G. W. Lawrie (c. 1880s), and an 1872 engraving labeled "Temple Jaina d’Adinath, à Gwalior," consistently identified the structure as a Jain temple. Over time, this temple has come to be known locally as the Sas Bahu (or Sahasra Bahu) temple and is used for Shaiva and Vaishnava worship, reflecting historical changes in religious use within the fort.<ref name="PhotographicEvidence3">{{cite web |title=Historic photographs and engravings of Jain temple at Gwalior Fort |url=https://twitter.com/Jain_Itihaas/status/1753764292808352111 |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

[[Jain]] heritage at Gwalior Fort includes both rock-cut and free-standing temples. In addition to the well-known 15th-century rock-cut statues of [[Jain]] [[Tirthankaras]] on the fort’s cliffs, historical evidence shows that what is now known as the Sas Bahu temple was originally recognized as a [[Jain]] temple dedicated to Bhagwan [[Adinath]]. Nineteenth-century photographs and engravings by British and Indian artists, including Lala Deen Dayal (c. 1870), G. W. Lawrie (c. 1880s), and an 1872 engraving labeled "Temple Jaina d’Adinath, à Gwalior," consistently identified the structure as a Jain temple. Over time, this temple has come to be known locally as the Sas Bahu (or Sahasra Bahu) temple and is used for Shaiva and Vaishnava worship, reflecting historical changes in religious use within the fort.<ref name="PhotographicEvidence3">{{cite web |title=Historic photographs and engravings of Jain temple at Gwalior Fort |url=https://twitter.com/Jain_Itihaas/status/1753764292808352111 |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

Some local traditions and interpretations suggest that the temple’s two-storey design may indicate Jain architectural influence, as multi-level sanctums are characteristic of certain [[Jain temple]] styles. In contrast, typical Hindu temple practice traditionally places a single main deity in the garbhagriha (sanctum), and multi-level shrines are less common.<ref name="TwoStoreyJainArchitecture">{{cite web |title=Two-storey temples in Jain architecture |url=https://twitter.com/Jain_Itihaas/status/1753764292808352111 |website=Twitter |access-date=2025-07-04}}</ref>

Some local traditions and interpretations suggest that the temple’s two-storey design may indicate Jain architectural influence, as multi-level sanctums are characteristic of certain [[Jain temple]] styles. In contrast, typical Hindu temple practice traditionally places a single main deity in the garbhagriha (sanctum), and multi-level shrines are less common.<ref name="TwoStoreyJainArchitecture">{{cite web |title=Two-storey temples in Jain architecture |url=https://twitter.com/Jain_Itihaas/status/1753764292808352111 |website=Twitter |access-date=2025-07-04}}</ref>