Sas-Bahu Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport, Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Air Terminal, is about 12 km from the city centre. Gwalior Airport (code GWL) is the largest airport in Madhya Pradesh.

• By train

  Gwalior Junction (station code GWL) is on the North Central Railways. From the station, take a taxi, auto-rickshaw or local bus.

• By road

  Travel by private car, taxi or bus to reach the temple. Bus services run from Gwalior to Bhopal, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi.

Why devotees come here

The Sas-Bahu temples are two 11th-century temples inside the Gwalior Fort complex in Madhya Pradesh. The larger one is dedicated to an avatar of Vishnu, and the smaller one to Shiva.

The Sas-Bahu temples are two 11th-century temples inside the Gwalior Fort complex. The name suggests that the two belong together and depend on each other. The larger Saas temple is dedicated to Aniruddha, an avatar of Vishnu. The smaller Bahu temple is dedicated to Shiva. The city of Gwalior lies in northern Madhya Pradesh, about 300 km from Delhi.

King Mahipala of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty had the twin temples built between 1090 and 1093. The larger one was made for his wife, who was a Vaishnava. The smaller one was made for his daughter-in-law, a devotee of Shiva.

The temples are made of elaborately carved red sandstone. The Saas temple has a square sanctum, a two-storey antarala and a closed three-storey mandapa with three entrances. Four idols of Brahma, Vishnu and Saraswati sit above its entrance door. The tower and sanctum have been destroyed, but the architecture and damaged carvings can still be seen in the ruins.

Tips for your visit

• The complex has clean restrooms, seating areas to rest, and designated spots for shoe storage.
• Information boards and guides are available to help visitors find their way around the temples.

Questions people ask