Madhya Pradesh is one of the largest states of the Indian Union and it is situated within the geographical framework of 180 to 260 30' N. latitudes and 74° to 84° 30' E longitudes. It is bounded by the Aravallis in the west, the Vindhyas and Satpuras in the south and Ganga-Yamuna Doab in the north. This state has a large number of mountains and rivers. Some parts of this region are covered with thick forests. Generally the climate is pleasant. Rich flora and fauna is found in this region. The agriculture and mineral products are available in abundance. Hence, physically culturally and politically Madhya Pradesh is regarded as the heart of India.
It is also the passage way from North India to the Deccan. A large number of mountain, rivers and forests in Madhya Pradesh favoured early man to find habitations at foothills and open plateaus as well as for raw materials in order to manufacture stone tools and implements. Stone tools of early man and fossils of animals have been discovered at different sites in Madhya Pradesh where stone is abundantly available for construction of temples. From Sanchi pillar edict of Asoka and the Panuraria inscription of the second century B.C. and several votive inscriptions found at Sanchi and Bharhut indicates that Buddhism gained a footing among the common masses of Madhya Pradesh. These inscriptions help in tracing the evolution of the art and religion. The Besnagar pillar inscription shows that even the foreigner Heliodorus, became a follower of Vaishnavism, and erected a Garuda staff of Vasudeva.
On a whole we find a continuous cultural development from prehistoric period to the modern era in Madhya Pradesh. Traces of earliest temple activities of India can be found from Sanchi, Vidhisha and Udaigiri. With the humble beginning of temple architecture in central India the Nagara style of temple architecture has been reached to its apex with full maturity and refinance what may be seen in the temples of Khajuraho, Gwalior, Lalitpur, Fatehpur, etc. From Gupta period onwards especially, during Pratihara, Chadella and Parmara periods, regional temple styles were developed in different parts of Madhya Pradesh. In addition to that were some other regional styles were also developed which were patronized by subordinate rulers of the principal monarch of this region. Kachchhapaghata rulers were among those who started temple architecture in a great manner.
The district Ashoknagar (240 34' N and 770 46' E) contains a large number of Kachchhapaghata temples. Ashoknagar is the district headquarters its old name is Pachhar which has fallen into disuse. During the reign of Akbar it was the headquarters of Mahal in the Chanderi Sarkar.