DARA MUKANDRA TEMPLE

The narrow hill-girt valley known as Dara Mukundara has two principal monuments.  One is a small fortress, also called Shikargah of the late medieval period which is entered through a large arched gateway from south-east. At some places, it has double-storeyed structures. The lower storey has a dalan with a large water storage tank. At the back of the residences, is a small shrine dedicated to lord Siva. In the courtyard, near the entrance is a step-well. The building materials used consist of stone rubbles with limited use of lakhauri bricks in lime mortar and well plastered. The ceilings are made of sand-stone slabs.      The other monument is a Gupta period stone temple called Bhim-ki-Chauri, erected on a jagati (platform) entered from the lateral sides.  Facing east, the temple has a unique plan comprising a sanctum enclosed by heavy pillars and pilasters, preceded by a pillared nandimandapa of which only traces remain. The upper part of the sanctum pillars is adorned with floral and geometrical reliefs and its ceiling with a pattern of five lotuses. The temple has yielded interesting loose sculptured architectural members including a figure of Ganga and a boy beating a flat metallic drum surrounded by rich scrolls of the typical Gupta period.