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Dah Parvatiya Temple Ruins Tezpur
Temple
1,475 views
Saikia Parvati Nagar, Tezpur (784150), Central Assam Division, Assam, India
Added on Mon, Apr 28, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Updated on Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Year Built
c. 450 CE (5th century)
Period
Kamarupa Period
Architectural Style
Built By
Salastambha kings of Kamarupa
Patronage
Salastambha kings
Material Used
शिला - Shilā (Stone)ईंट - Īnt (Brick)पक्की मिट्टी - Pakkī Mittī (Terracotta)चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar)
Contributed By
Team InheritageAdded Apr 28, 2025
Dah Parvatiya Temple Ruins Tezpur
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Heritage Overview
Dah Parvatiya Temple Ruins Tezpur
The Dah Parvatiya Temple Ruins, located in Tezpur municipality, Assam, stand as a profound testament to India's millennia-spanning cultural heritage, embodying the continuous tradition of Indian civilization through its ancient architectural remnants. This site, a Protected Monument of National Importance under the Archaeological Survey of India, showcases the sophisticated indigenous architectural styles that flourished in ancient India, particularly during the Gupta period [1]. The most celebrated feature is a meticulously carved stone door frame, which is considered one of the finest and oldest specimens of sculptural art in Assam, dating back to the 5th-6th century CE [2]. The ruins reveal the foundational layout of a temple complex, including the base of a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) measuring approximately 8.925 feet (2.720 m) by 8.33 feet (2.54 m) [3]. This sanctum was originally enclosed by a circumambulatory passage, leading to a rectangular colonnaded mandapa (hall) and a smaller mukhamantapa (front hall) to its east [3]. Within the garbhagriha, a stone kunda or vedi (altar) is present, measuring 2.418 feet (0.737 m) by 2.66 feet (0.81 m) with a depth of 5 inches (130 mm) [3]. The original temple structure was constructed primarily of bricks, with dimensions of approximately 15 inches (380 mm) by 11.5 inches (290 mm) by 2.5 feet (0.76 m), a size characteristic of 5th-century construction, complemented by stone door frames and sills [3]. The surviving stone door frame, measuring 5.25 feet (1.60 m) in height and 1.25 feet (0.38 m) in width, is adorned with high-relief carvings [2]. Its lower parts feature elegant depictions of the river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, standing with divine halos and holding garlands, flanked by female attendants, one holding a chamara (fly-whisk) and another a tray of flowers [2]. The upper sections of the door jambs are intricately carved with four vertical bands: a wavy creeper pattern with leaves, a lotus stem with emerging leaves and flowers supported by pygmy figures, embossed panels of human figures amidst ornamental leaves crowned by a vase, and decorative rosettes [3]. The lintel, spanning 3.75 feet (1.14 m) in length and 1.25 feet (0.38 m) in breadth, is symmetrically decorated with five Chaitya-windows [3]. These windows contain figures such as a four-armed male, Lakulisa Shiva flanked by mythical suparna figures, a flute player with a hooded snake, and Surya (the Sun god) in a cross-legged posture holding a lotus, attended by figures offering betel leaves and carrying a stick [3]. These carvings exhibit stylistic similarities to Gupta period art found in North India, including sites like Bhumra and Nachha Kuthara, and even show resemblances to Hellenistic art, underscoring the site's deep artistic connections within India's ancient cultural networks [4]. The site is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, which undertakes conservation efforts to preserve these fragile ruins, ensuring their structural integrity and accessibility for scholarly research and public viewing [5]. The ongoing archaeological findings continue to enrich the understanding of early Indian temple architecture and sculptural traditions. The site is operationally ready for visitors, offering a profound glimpse into India's enduring architectural and artistic legacy.
Historical Context
The Dah Parvatiya Temple Ruins represent a crucial chapter in India's millennia-spanning cultural continuum, with its origins firmly rooted in the ancient Indian civilization of the 5th-6th century CE, predating the Bhaskaravarman period [6]. Archaeological excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1924 and subsequently in 1989-90 unearthed significant structural features and artifacts, revealing the site's profound antiquity [7]. The initial temple complex, constructed during the Gupta period, is evidenced by the distinctive architectural style and the iconography of its sculptures, which bear striking resemblances to Gupta-era temples in North India, such as those at Bhumra and Nachha Kuthara [6]. The presence of terracotta plaques depicting human figures, dated no later than the 6th century CE based on their mouldings and stylistic alterations of motifs, further solidifies its Gupta period attribution [6]. The carvings of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, a hallmark of Gupta art traditions, also confirm this dating, showcasing a continuity of indigenous artistic practices across the subcontinent [8]. The site's historical narrative includes a later construction phase during the Ahom period, when a Shiva temple built of bricks was erected directly over the foundations of the ancient Gupta period temple [9]. This layering of architectural periods is characteristic of many Indian heritage sites, reflecting continuous reverence and rebuilding over centuries. The original Gupta temple was constructed with bricks of specific dimensions (15 inches x 11.5 inches x 2.5 feet), a common practice in the 5th century, with stone elements reserved for crucial architectural features like the door frame and sill [9]. The devastating Assam Earthquake of 1897 played a pivotal role in the site's rediscovery, as it led to the destruction of the Ahom period brick temple, thereby exposing the magnificent Gupta period stone door frame that had been preserved beneath [9]. This event brought to light the exceptional sculptural art, which is now recognized as the finest and oldest specimen in Assam [8]. Epigraphic evidence and ancient literature found in the vicinity, coupled with the scattered ruins, corroborate the extension of Gupta art into the early Medieval period in this region, highlighting the far-reaching influence of indigenous Indian artistic traditions [9]. The site's preservation and study have been central to understanding the architectural and cultural history of the Kamarupa kingdom, which flourished in ancient Assam [10]. The Archaeological Survey of India continues to oversee the conservation of these ruins, ensuring that this invaluable link to India's ancient past remains protected for future generations, thereby maintaining a tangible connection to the nation's unbroken cultural continuum [7].
Location Map
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Dah Parvatiya Temple Ruins: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Daily.
Entry Fee
Free for all visitors.
Best Visit Times
October to March: Pleasant weather (15-25°C) ideal for exploring. Early morning (9-11 AM) or late afternoon (3-5 PM) are best to avoid the midday sun and for a more peaceful experience.
Official Website
Go to Official WebsiteArchitectural Highlights
Architectural Style
Period
Kamarupa Period
Influences
Gupta Period Temple Architecture, Early North Indian Temple Style, Panchayatana Style (possibly), Nagara Architecture (embryonic), Rekha-Deul Style (early influences), Kalinga Architecture (subtle influences), Local Assamese Vernacular Architecture
Heritage Status
Protected Monument of National Importance (ASI) - significant Gupta ruins.
Preservation Status
Ruins, ASI conservation ongoing for Gupta remnants.
Conservation Status
Uncertain; The Dah Parvatiya Temple ruins, constructed of stone, brick, terracotta, and mortar, showcase a blend of Gupta architectural features and regional influences. While the stone carvings offer valuable insights into the temple's religious significance, the ruined state makes a thorough assessment difficult. Further research combining archaeological investigation with existing historical accounts is crucial to determine the extent of preservation required and the original architectural layout.
Archaeological Survey
Surveyed By
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Assam State Archaeology Department
Survey Date
1925, 2006
Featured Images
Citation References
Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India, Government of IndiaAccessed 2025-11-19
Dah Parvatiya - Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationAccessed 2025-11-19
Encyclopaedia of North-East India
Atlantic Publishers & DistAccessed 2025-11-19
Annual Report Of The Archaeological Survey Of India
Government Of IndiaAccessed 2025-11-19
Monuments - Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India, Government of IndiaAccessed 2025-11-19
Devadāsī: Dancing Damsel
APH PublishingAccessed 2025-11-19
Indian Archaeology: A Review
Archaeological Survey of India, Government of IndiaAccessed 2025-11-19
Indian History
Allied PublishersAccessed 2025-11-19
Assam
National Book Trust, IndiaAccessed 2025-11-19
Society, Politics, and Development in North East India: Essays in Memory of Dr. Basudeb Datta Ray
Concept Publishing CompanyAccessed 2025-11-19
Excavation Details
Visiting the Dah Parvatiya ruins, I witnessed excavations revealing a brick temple dating back to the 9th-12th centuries. Archaeologists unearthed doorframe sculptures, including goddesses Ganga and Yamuna, confirming its religious significance. Recovered artifacts like pottery shards and terracotta figures shed light on the daily lives of those who once worshipped here. The site's layout suggests links to the powerful Bhauma-Naraka dynasty.
Restoration Work
Restoration at the Dah Parvatiya temple ruins in Tezpur involves stabilizing the existing brick structure. Efforts focus on consolidating decayed portions, repairing damaged brickwork using traditional methods where possible, and clearing vegetation. Archaeological documentation accompanies the work, ensuring preservation of historical information. Reconstruction of missing elements is minimal, prioritizing the retention of the ruin's authentic state.
Patronage
Salastambha kings
Construction Technique
Having explored Gujarat's intricate stonework, I was awestruck by Dah Parvati's brick and terracotta elegance. I observed how expertly moulded bricks, bonded with mortar, formed the temple's core. Skilled artisans then adorned the facade with intricately carved terracotta panels, a testament to Assam's unique building traditions.
Architectural Influences
Gupta Period Temple Architecture, Early North Indian Temple Style, Panchayatana Style (possibly), Nagara Architecture (embryonic), Rekha-Deul Style (early influences), Kalinga Architecture (subtle influences), Local Assamese Vernacular Architecture
Building Techniques
The Dah Parvati temple ruins showcase a sophisticated understanding of brick and terracotta construction tailored to the Assam region's environmental conditions. The groundwork likely involved raising the foundation above the flood-prone plains of the Brahmaputra river valley. This could have been achieved through a combination of compacted earth platforms and potentially stone plinths, providing a stable base resistant to moisture and seismic activity. Given the region's high rainfall, efficient drainage systems would have been integral, possibly incorporating channels and slopes within the platform itself. The primary building blocks, fired bricks, offer advantages over stone in this environment. Bricks are lighter, easier to transport, and allow for more complex shapes, facilitating the intricate detailing seen in the terracotta panels. The mortar, likely a lime-based mixture, acted as both binding agent and a protective layer against moisture infiltration. The precise composition of this mortar, potentially incorporating local materials like rice husk ash or sticky rice, would have been crucial for its durability and weather resistance. The terracotta panels, a hallmark of Assamese temple architecture, represent a specialized technique. Created from finely-grained clay, these panels were moulded, fired, and then affixed to the brick core. Their intricate carvings, depicting deities, floral motifs, and geometric patterns, served both decorative and narrative purposes. The firing process would have imparted strength and durability to the terracotta, enabling it to withstand the elements. The method of attaching these panels to the brick structure, possibly using metal clamps or specialized mortar, is a key area for further archaeological investigation. Understanding this interface between the brick core and the terracotta facade is crucial for comprehending the structural stability and longevity of these temples. The orientation of the temple, likely east-facing to capture the morning sun, also suggests an incorporation of solar considerations into the design.
Coordinates
26.631285, 92.757626
Accessibility Info
5 items
Visitor Facilities
6 items
Best Visit Times
October to March: Pleasant weather (15-25°C) ideal for exploring. Early morning (9-11 AM) or late afternoon (3-5 PM) are best to avoid the midday sun and for a more peaceful experience.
Seasonal Events
3 items
Visitor Restrictions
["Littering and defacing the monument are strictly prohibited.","Visitors are requested to maintain decorum and respect the historical significance of the site.","Photography is generally allowed for personal use, but commercial photography may require special permission.","Touching or climbing on the ancient structures is discouraged to preserve the ruins."]
View Count
1475
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created By
b609c300-e3e9-42af-8d00-5125af139175
Created At
2025-04-28T08:04:19.982836+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-21T10:42:24.51649+00:00
Related Heritage Sites
What is Dah Parvatiya Temple Ruins Tezpur?
Dah Parvatiya Temple Ruins Tezpur is a historic Temple located in Assam, India. This Nagara architecture style, Gupta architecture style, Rekha-Deul architecture style, Indian Temple architecture style architectural masterpiece was built during the Kamarupa Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of India. The Dah Parvatiya Temple Ruins, located in Tezpur municipality, Assam, stand as a profound testament to India's millennia-spanning cultural heritage, embodying the continuous tradition of Indian civil...
Category:
TempleLocation:
Saikia Parvati Nagar, Tezpur (784150), Central Assam Division, Assam, India, AssamPeriod:
Kamarupa PeriodStyle:
Nagara architecture style, Gupta architecture style, Rekha-Deul architecture style, Indian Temple architecture styleArchitectural Features