Dashavatar Temple, Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand India

This fine Gupta temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the earliest known Panchyatan temple in north India. The terraced basement above the high plinth is decorated with sculpted panels. The figures of Ganga and Yamuna adorn the carved doorway leading to the sanctum sanctorum. Three large carved panels along the side-walls - the Gajendramoksha panel, the Nar Narayan Tapasya and the Anantshayi Vishnu, depict scenes from Vaishnava mythology. Only the lower portion remains, of the spire, which was the most important part of the temple.

Dashavatar Temple, belonging to the time of the Gupta Empire, is the earliest known Panchyatan temple in North India. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple boasts of terraced basement, adorned with skillfully sculpted panels. On the doorway of the sanctum sanctorum, one finds the carvings of Ganga and Yamuna. The side-walls have 3 carved panels depicting Vaishnava mythology.