The Siva temple at Anwa is an extremely interesting temple site from 12th
century CE in proximity to Ajanta and Ellora Cave structures, which puts
it on the Dakshinapatha revived in the medieval period. The temple shows
very interesting architecture style that seems to be in the transition period
from Nagara to the more elaborate Bhumija. Although much small in
scale, it has the outer mandapa that reminds of lineage to Gujarat Modhera
Sun temple of Solankis and even closer to the Kopeshwar Siva Temple
at Khidrapur near Kolhapur. The focus in this article though is more
towards the unique Vaishnavis, or the prakritis of Vishnu. The depiction
of Saptamatrikas or seven mother goddesses is quite common the western
and southern part of India seen abundantly from 9th century CE onwards,
although a number of saptamatrka images of pre-Gupta and Gupta period,
from 4th-6th century CE have also been found in Western India. Women
depictions of Durga as Mahisasuramardini, Mahalakshami, Gajalakshami,
river goddesses, Gayatri, Parvati and Lakshami (wives of Brahma, Siva
and Visnu) has been seen on many temples. Very creative depiction of
Kali, Shalabhanjika (fertility goddess) and yakshis and surasundaris have
been seen on temples too. But a temple dedicated to depiction of only
Vaishanvis is quite unique! In this preliminary observational article, attempt
is to analyse the inspiration of this unique iconography and appreciate the
exquisite quality of sculpture achieved by the artists.