MITAWALI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA, December 11, 2005: An eighth century temple in Madhya Pradesh which bears a striking resemblance to the India’s Parliament House in Delhi has been lying in a state of utter neglect for a number of years. Located in the nondescript Mitawali village of Morena district, the magnificent circular structure lies in a radius of 170 feet. The temple, dedicated to Lord Siva has figurines of 64 Goddesses engraved on the circular inner wall. It also has 64 rooms, each with a Shivalingam. Archaeologists opine that the holy structure could have inspired the architects of Parliament House in New Delhi.
“The structures of Indian Parliament House and Mitawali temple are strikingly similar. It seems that the architects drew inspiration from this temple in designing and building the Parliament House,” said Ameen Khan, a local archaeologist. The Parliament building, designed by renowned architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, was constructed in 1927, 20 years before India’s independence in 1947. The building has been highly appreciated for its design across the world. It is touted to be among one of the world’s best architectural wonders.
But the temple, which the archaeologists and locals in Mitawali believe might have inspired the magnificent building, is in a state of dilapidation. The Archaeological Survey of India, the autonomous body in-charge of India’s historical sites has only deputed a caretaker at the temple premises. Absence of any concerted renovation work is affecting the entire structure, especially the sculptures on the temple wall.