MALADEVI TEMPLE

Maladevi temple is located in Gyaraspur tehsil of Vidisha district,which is at a distance of 35 km from it, on the Sanchi-Khajuraho highway.The town's name is derived from the big fair which is used to happen on the 11th month of every year.The temple was built in 10th century and it was once a Hindu temple but was later converted for use by the Jains, this fact can be visualize by seeing that there is a figure of a goddess occupying a block on the outer door frame and some other decorative sculptures also indicates that the temple was originally dedicated to the goddess of Hindu and then it was subsequently appropriated by the Jains. And now the shrine room and hall is occupied by the Jain images.
This temple is very attractive and one of the beautiful site near Vidisha which is liked by most of the tourists, it is situated on the slope of a hill overlooking the valley.Located on a huge platform cut out of the hillside and strengthened by a massive retaining wall, the temple is in fact an imposing and stupendous building. It comprise an entrance-porch, a hall and a shrine surrounded by a circum ambulatory passage and the Mandapa has two small balconies on both the sides.