Chaturbhuj Temple

Great place to visit. Proof of oldest existing "Zero"

Chaturbhuj Temple is a Hindu Temple located in the Gwalior Fort. The temple is excavated from the rocks in Gwalior Fort and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple was carved out in 876 A.D during the reign of Pratihara King Bhojdeva. It is one of the temples inscriptions contains the earliest known inscription of symbol Zero in India. The temple is small and in the shape of square. There is a portico at the entrance which is supported by pillars. The pillars are carved and showing different poses of meditation, yoga and others. The walls are also carved with beautiful poses of dancing Ganesha, Kartikeya e.t.c. The interior of upper part of portico is carved with beautiful poses of krishnalila. There is an inscription in the praise of Lord Vishnu , Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. The temple was damaged but now it is restored. This is a place with historical importance and definitely a must visit.

Gwalior Journey is a golden opportunity to get oriented and acquainted with historical and archaeological monuments etc. Surprises and interesting facts are important and memorable elements of this trip for the tourists. Chaturbhaj Temple is one such special heritage and ancient monument, most tourists remain unaware of the interesting features and they just miss the opportunity. It's a small East facing temple dedicated to four armed Lord Vishnu. It is a Rock cut temple and was sculpted from the one rock. It was carved out during the the reign of King Bhojdeva of the Pritihara dynasty. It has a portico supported by pillars, square sanctum Sanctorum which houses the chief deity and its roof is adorned by a tower or Shikhara. Pillars and portico's celing is having carvings of the Lord Krishna's mythical stories and exterior having the Sculptures of Dancing Ganesha, Kartikeya, Goddesses Parvati in the Panchagni form, Lord Vishnu etc. are the attractive Sculptures. And the most interesting fact is an inscription in which the first use of Zero as a digital number was used in this region is engraved on the Southern interior wall. Emptiness or voidness is considered as a Shunya in Sanskrit and it's being practiced since 300 BC but it was invented by the great Astronomer Aryabhatta in the end of fifth century and further it was given a height by another Astronomer and mathematcian Brahmagupta in about 628 AD. This ancient temple tower and few other parts were damaged but restored by the Archaeological Survey of India. I am sure it will help the tourits. As it's a major attraction among the history buffs wanderers soulseekers heritage art and architecture lovers.

Chaturbhuj Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is situated at Orchha in Madhya Pradesh, India. The name Chaturbhuj is a combination of 'chatur' meaning "four" and 'bhuj' meaning "arms" which literally translates to "one who has four arms" and refers to Rama an avatar of Vishnu.The temple has a complex multi-storied structural view which is a blend of temple, fort and palace architectural features....

It is amzing....everyone should visit once