--> Skip to main content


Ancient Vishnu Temple Unearthed at Pipri in Siddharthnagar District in Uttar Pradesh

Vaishnava Temple which is more than 1400 years old was recently discovered by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Pipri in Siddharthnagar District in Uttar Pradesh. This ancient Vishnu Temple is older than Khajuraho and Puri temples. 
Times of India writes
 The temple belongs to 'later Gupta to early medieval period' which means that it could be 1200-1500 years old. In this way, the temple is older than the famous Khajuraho temples of MP and Temples of Bhubaneshwar and Puri which were built about 1,000 years ago (10th century AD). Siddharthnagar district is known for the ruins of the Shakya rulers at Piprahwa. Kapilvastu, where Buddha spent his early years, is also part of the district. 
The site of excavation is Pipri, about 250 km from Lucknow. The clearance work began in December 2013 and ended by February 2014. However, the conclusions have been drawn by the ASI now. "The work is still under way. The site comprises several mounds. Some of them have a prominent shape and remaining are reduced in size. We began with a smaller mound and came across the temple," said PK Mishra, superintending archaeologist, ASI, Lucknow Circle.