Set amidst numerous small and big temples all over India, are two temples that are noteworthy, known by the name “Saas Bahu Temple”. Through centuries, India has been well known for all the faith and religions it has accommodated, starting with temples dedicated to all the Gods and deities. Nature is worshiped in the form of sea, rivers, mountains, fire, water, trees, animals, birds and so on. One such special temple known as Saas Bahu Temple is situated 23 km from the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan. It is actually built in a village named Naagda, still so attractive that it can amaze any passer-by. This temple has a very interesting past which we shall now discuss.
A king got these built for his wife and daughter-in-law (saas means mother-in-law and bahu means daughter-in-law). The king Mahipala of Kachchhwaha Dynasty got these temples constructed in the 10 AD or 11 AD. The queen of King Mahipala was a devotee of Lord Krishna, who made a temple for her to worship her favorite deity. Later, the king’s son got a wife who was a devotee of Lord Shiva, then another temple was built right next to the Vishnu temple for the daughter-in-law. The temple of Lord Vishnu was named Sahastrabahu Temple meaning ‘one having a hundred arms’, although in some time the two temples together were known as Sahastrabahu temples. But as time passed, the name of the temples got corrupted and came to be known as Saas-Bahu temple because of its origin. Actually, the Saas temple is larger than the other one.
The Saas Bahu temple is enroute to Eklingji temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are ten small temples in the Saas temple while five in the Bahu temple. The Saas temple has a special archway built to place the idol of Lord Vishnu during special festivals. This has three oors facing three directions, while the fourth door shut off from public access. The entrance of the temple has idols of Goddess Saraswati, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. The walls of the temple are adorned by beautiful carvings and architecture that are admirable. Some parts of this heritage site remain ruined by numerous invasions that have taken place.
