08/02/2024
Kakanmath temple which is situated at a distance of about 2 kilometer towards north of the village suhaniya, recorded to have been built by kachhapaghat ruler kirttiraja, is a magnificent edifice even in its ruins and is astonishing in its sculpture wealth.
Kirttiraja was the fourth ruler of kachhapaghat dynasty of Gwalior, as recorded in the sas bahu temple inscription of mahipal dated Vikram samvat 1150. The dynasty came to prominence in the tenth century, after they were able to capture the fortress of gwalior after the gurjara pratiharas.
The kachhapaghat of suhaniya (ancient simhapaniya) subsequently ruled from the center of gwalior (ancient gopadri and gopagiri), other branches of the family had their seats at dubkund and narwar (ancient nalapura). Each branch secured distinctive geographical area. Of them, the most powerful branch was Gwalior, who seemed to have ruled the large tract bounded on the north and west by the river Chambal.
The temple of siva, locally known by the name of kakanmath, is most important of the monuments at suhaniya in district Morena of madhya pradesh. It's popularly believed to have been built by the orders of a queen named kakanavati or kandavati from whom the temple derived its name. But inscription of sas bahu temple on Gwalior fort confirms the authorship of this building, and records that in the town of simhapaniya kirttiraja considered a wonderful temple of the lord of Parvati.
The temple facing east, built entirely of stone on a spacious platform, stands on a souring ornate pitha and encircled by at least four subsidiary shrines. The temple proper consists of a sanctum enclosed by an ambulatory with three balconied transepts. The sanctum of the temple is of the panchratha type. In the shrine is a siva linga still in worship. Though outer walls, balconies and facing stone of the spire have all fallen away, the spire itself remains standing in full height.
The adhisthan and jangha portion of the temple bear the Sculptures of deities. Many single images of suhaniya have been taken to the Gujari mahal Museum of Gwalior and Archaeological survey museum on Gwalior fort. That the temple continues to exist even in the present