Place to See | Around Deogarh | Festivals | How To Get There

Deogarh, the fort of Gods, is situated on the right bank of the Betwa river, at the western end of the Lalitpur range of hills. Due to its strategic location, on the main route to the Deccan, it was a constant bone of contention, and figures in the great history of the Guptas, the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Gondas, the Muslim rulers of Delhi, the Marathas and the British. As a result, it is of great antiquarian, epigraphical and archaeological value, today. 

    The natural setting of the fort is dynamic, which takes the visitor by surprise. The fort is entered through a corbelled gateway in the outer wall. A path has been cleared through the undergrowth, and broken statuary lie scattered in the premises. Within the fort is a remarkable group of 31 Jain temples, which were the renowned Jain centres from the 8th to the 17th centuries. Within the temples, are panels depicting scenes from the Jain mythology, Tirthankara images, Manasthamba or votive pillars, Ayagpattas or votive tablets, Sarvatobhadra Pratima's or Jain images visible from all sides and Sahasrakuta's or pillars carved with a thousand Jain figures. Most important among the group are Santinath temple. Among other important structures at Deogarh are the Varah temple, rock cut cave - Siddha-ki-Gufa, Rajghati and Naharghati.

Dashavatar Temple

The Jewel of Deogarh, close to the banks of the Betwa, is this temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Built in the 6th century AD, under the Gupta period, it is the earliest known Panchayatan temple of North India. The temple bears an inscription attributable to Govinda, Viceroy of Malwa, and the brother of the great Kumaragupta I. A row of superbly sculpted panels adorns the terraced basement, which rises above the high plinth of the temple. A doorway with intricately carved figures of Ganga and Yamuna leads to the garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum. The temple is particularly well known for its Rathika panels, in recesses along its three side walls.These fine stone reliefs depicts scenes from Vaishnava mythology, and are identified as the Gajendra Moksha Panel, Nar-Narayan Tapasya and the Anantasayi Vishnu.         

Around Deogarh

Chanderi
This town, famous for its gossamer - like sarees, also has fine examples of Rajput and Sultanate architecture. A magnificent Mughal fort dominates the skyline. Among the interesting sites are the Koshak Mahal, the Badal Mahal, Victory Arch, the Jama Masjid and ancient Jain temples.

Talbehat
31 km south of Lalitpur on the Jhansi-Sagar national highway, is Talbehat. It derived its name, from Tal (Lake) and Behat (Village), in language of Gonds, the original settlers at the site. In 1618, Bharat shah, the Raja of Bar and Chanderi, built a fine fort with the famous Narasingh temple inside.

Matatila Dam
An ideal picnic spot developed by the irrigation department, 93 kms away from Deogarh. Water sports and a garden on the lines of Vrindavan garden are the added attractions.

Jain Mela and Gujarat Mahotsav.

Tourist Bungalow, Deogarh