Introduction

Neelkantheshvar or Udayeshvara Temple in Udaypur can easily be attributed as the grandest construction of the Parmaras. The crowning beauty of this temple is its well proportioned and gracefully designed spire and delicately carved medallions adorning its sides. Built of fine red sandstone and standing on a lofty platform, the temple consists of a garba-griha (sanctum sanctorum), a mandapa (assembly hall) & three praveshamandapas(entrance porches). The original eastern entrance is closed now. The shikhara, based on a stellate plan, is divided into quadrants by four latas or offsets, each one of which has five rows of gavakshas. The large hall has three entrance porches, one to the front & two to the sides, & walls that are richly carved. On external walls are carved Shiva in Ardh-nareeshvara, Andhakantaka, Natesha, Maha-kala, Chamundi iconography. On external periphery are ashta-dikpala (eight directional guardians). The sanctum door has Nav-Durgas on the door lintel, while Nav-Grihas (nine goddesses) on mandapa lintel.