AIA Fieldwork Photo Contest 2024

Entry 77657

Submitted by sikandar khan

Udaipur

Jalore, Rajasthan, India

Category: Archaeological Landscapes

Photo Caption- Sas-Bahu Photo Story-According to historical information, the Saas Bahu Temple, located about 25 kilometers from Udaipur in Rajasthan, is approximately 1100 years old. It is said that the temple was built by King Mahipal and his son Ratnapal of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty for the king's wife and daughter-in-law. The king’s queen was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu and regularly worshipped him. Seeing her deep devotion to her deity, the king first built a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu here. After their marriage, the queen was blessed with a son, whom they named Ratnapal. The queen lovingly raised her son, providing him with every form of education. A few years later, when their son became of marriageable age, the king arranged a grand wedding for him. The bride he married was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Recognizing his daughter-in-law's devotion, the king built a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva for her, where she could worship peacefully. These two temples, of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, were constructed close to each other. Since the queen's temple was built first, it was named "Sahasrabahu," which means "one with a thousand arms," a synonym for Lord Vishnu. Over time, people began to refer to the temple as the "Saas Bahu" temple, a name that became popular and is still used today.

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