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Bhitargaon
Situated 59 km from Kanpur, on the Ghatampur - Sarh road, 14 km
from Ghatampur, Bhitargaon is chiefly noted for its ancient brick
temple, a unique specimen of the brick architecture of the early
Gupta period. Datable to the first half of the first century A.D.,
the temple is the oldest roofed Hindu shrine extant with a high
Sikhara.
Built of large bricks of size 0.47m x 0.22m x 0.07m, set in mud mortar, the total
height of the temple is 15.41m. Inside the temple only the sanctum or garbhagriha
and the porch exist. Above the sanctum there was an upper chamber which was damaged
when the spire was struck by lightining some time in the 18th century. The most
marked feature of the temple is its recessed plan.
The interior of the temple is plain but on the outside it is decorated with carved
brickwork and numerous terracotta panels of skillful workmanship. The importance
of the Bhitargaon temple lies in the fact that it is the sole surviving record
of this early phase of temple archiecture in India.
Musanagar
65 km from Kanpur, the ancient site of Musanagar with innumerable mounds deserves
mention on account of the ancient temple of Muktadevi, which is said to have
been built in Treta-Yug by Raja Bali. A large fair is held at Muktadevi temple
on the occasion of Kartik Poornima. Musanagar is also a rich archaeological site
and has yielded a large number of artifacts and specimens of the post Harrapan,
Shunga, Maurya & Kushana periods.
The Muktadevi temple also offers an excellent view of the surrounding landscape.
One can climb the roof of the temple dharmshala, from where can be seen the meandering
Sengar river meeting the Yamuna down below, in a beautiful natural setting.
Archaeological Sites Around Kanpur
Among other notable archaeological sites around Kanpur are the 'Shiv temple at
Nimbia Khera', the 'Jagannath temple at Behta Buzurg' and the 'Lala Bhagat Pillar'.
Nimbia Khera is 12 km east of Ghatampur, where a 9th-10th Century old Shiva temple
at Behta Buzung is supposed to be 200 years old. It is said that a week before
the beginning of the rainy season, drops of water fall from the stone which is
embedded in the inner roof of the temple. The village of Behta Buzung is 15 km
from Ghatampur and 40 km from Kanpur, on the road going from Ghatampur to Sarh.
Lala Bhagat, 92 km from Kanpur and 58 km from Derapur, houses the famous Kukkutadhwaj,
more known as Lala Bhagat Pillar standing in the middle of a modern temple. This
red sandstone-six and a half feet high octagonally carved pillar with a small
inscription was once surmounted by a cock capital, which broken from the pillar
shaft lies nearby. Datable to the Ist century, AD, the cock capital is of unique
antiquity value.
Angira Ashram
Thousands of years ago, one of the saptarishis, Maharshi Angira, chose for his
penance a place near Bithoor, presently situated in Ankui village today is known
as the Angira Ashram. The ancient Jagannath temple here houses the original wooden
idol of Lord Jagannath, said to be identical with that of the famous Jagannath
temple.
Kannauj
80 km from Kanpur, it was the capital of King Harshavardhana's empire which encompassed
the entire region between rivers Sutlej and Narmada. Today the town is the centre
of the Indian essence (ittar) industry. The temple of Ajaipal is worth a visit.
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
43 km. From Lucknow, along the Lucknow-Kanpur highway near Unnao, is the Nawabganj
Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary attracts rare Siberian migratory birds during winters,
the main bird species being Pintain, Pigeon, Common teal, Shoveller, Pochard,
Coot, Purple moorhen and others. The ideal season for bird watching is between
December and March. The Priyadarshini Motel of U.P. Tourism provides good boarding & lodging
facilities at the sanctuary.
Word Of Caution
Every effort is made to make this Guide map up-to-date; however, factual informations
are liable to change. Tourists are advised to consult their travel agent & nearest
tourist information office for up-to-date information.
