The Bairat Temple, also known as the Bairat Stupa, is a significant archaeological site located near Viratnagar in Rajasthan, India. Dating back to the 3rd century BCE, it is considered one of the earliest surviving structural temples in India and provides valuable insights into early Buddhist architecture.
The temple features a circular layout with an outer diameter of approximately 5.6 meters. At its center lies a small stupa with a diameter of 1.6 meters, surrounded by 26 octagonal wooden pillars. This configuration creates two pradakshina (circumambulatory) paths for devotional walking.The structure was built using lime-plastered brick panels alternating with wooden pillars, showcasing the construction techniques of the Mauryan period.
Adjacent to the temple, excavations have revealed monastic cells arranged around an open courtyard, indicating the presence of a thriving Buddhist monastic community. Near the temple, two of Emperor Ashoka’s Minor Rock Edicts were discovered, underscoring the site’s importance during his reign and its association with early Buddhism.
The temple’s unique circular design is believed to have influenced subsequent rock-cut temples in Western and Eastern India, serving as a model for later architectural developments. Today, only the foundations of the Bairat Temple remain. The Archaeological Survey of India has conducted excavations and maintains the site, which is accessible to visitors interested in ancient Indian architecture and Buddhism.
