File:0102221 Chaubara Dera 1 temple, Un Madhya Pradesh 120.jpg

English: The Chaubara Dera number 1 temple is an 11th-century Hindu temple in Un village, about 10 miles west of Khargone city. The temple is the largest historic monument in Un, even though it only survives in a much damaged form. It is generally attributed to the polymath Raja Bhoja, as this temple shares some artwork style with those found in other temples of his era.

The original name of the temple is unknown. In the 19th-century, like most sites in Un, portions of this temple were overrun by vegetation and covered under a mound. The locals knew it was a part of some "prachin mandir", and they called it as Chaubara Dera 1 (lit. "camp or mound with mandapa open on four sides").

A 1919 survey by Archaeology Survey of India Western Circle (ASI-W) published photographs of this temple. It shows a half torn Bhumija-style sikhara and vimana was still present above the sanctum. The ASI-W report states that this damage was caused by deliberate vandalism by a Muslim contractor in early 20th-century (see p. 61–63 of ASI-W 1919 Progress Report). The torn sikhara are now gone. In late 20th-century, limited excavations and restoration efforts have revealed the sections that survived above its platform, as well as temple parts, ruins and three inscriptions.

The mandapa of the temple now holds the ruins and artwork discovered here and nearby. These include both Hindu and Jain sculpture. Though the monument was once open on four sides, the original temple was open on three sides and the destruction of its sanctum created the fourth opening. The lower part of the temple remains buried. The temple has been reinforced and partly rebuilt for safety.

The temple has a mukhamandapa, a profusely carved mahamandapa, an antarala and a garbhagriya. It is notable for a square sanctum wrapped in a vimana with a stellate plan outside. The temple had a sikhara above the sanctum (superstructure on top), but it was torn down at some point. The doorway to the sanctum has a saptasakha decoration. On the lalatabimba is Ganesha, accompanied on the lintel with Saraswati, Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma. The other side of the antarala has beautifully carved Saptamatrikas and Nataraja. The relative positions of these artwork before the lost sanctum confirm that this was a Shiva temple.

The mandapa pillars have square base and circular cross-section at the top. They are intricately carved with apsaras, Hindu deities, dancers and musicians. The three inscriptions found in this temple are all damaged and incomplete. One mentions the name Udayaditya – a Paramara king, which led to early though incorrect theories that everything in Un was built by him. Later studies suggest that Udayaditya worshipped and made a donation to this temple during his reign. The other inscriptions are special: one is a portion of an alphabetical chart and the other inscription lists a few Sanskrit grammar rules. These inscriptions, including the one now called "Sarpavandha inscription of Un" suggest that this temple was likely a part of a Hindu education center or college monastery of 11th century Un.

On the same platform is another smaller shrine. It is also a Hindu temple. Its lintel shows several defaced deities, of which the Saptamatrikas and Shiva playing vina can be identified. The relative position of this smaller shrine is such that it corresponds to the panchayatana complex (a main temple with four smaller shrines in its corners).

For additional details about this temple and scholarly discussions: Swati M Adhikari (2001), The Chaubara Dera temple at Un in Madhya Pradesh