Called thus for no apparent reason save that they stand juxtaposed a few feet from each other in the same complex, the Devrani-jethani temples – both dedicated to Shiva were discovered by J D Benglar in the late 19th century, who credited their construction to sovereigns of the Sarabhupriya dynasty the fragmented sculptures that lie around the grounds awaiting attention are fine examples of the sculptural artistry of the time, and possibly the Gupta era too
Jethani:
Protected from the elements by corrugated-iron canopies, this former temple is really just a sandstone heap of carved columns, beams and foundation that possibly date back to the 7th century AD. Some columns are more than 4m high and reflect artistic influence from the Kushana period. The ruins suggest a staircase would have led from a lower mandapa to the garbhagriha above.
Devrani:
This temple is more intact, its ashlar stone walls standing tall on a large rectangular platform though the roof has long collapsed. The most striking feature of this temple is the exquisiteness of carvings on the doorway to the sanctum reached via a flight of stairs and adorned with female figures. But you are really here for the 5-tonne statue of Rudrashiva which at first looks like a grotesque male figure. it is, however, an imaginative synthesis of several animals designed to depict a male anatomy i full glory. The grounds also host a sculpture shed and a living Shiva temple.
