File:0010822 Janjgir Vishnu Temple Chattisgarh 139.jpg

English: The old name of Janjgir was Jajallapura. It emerged as a major prosperous city under the Kalachuri king Jajalladeva I. He established a Shaiva monastery-college for the city, completed a major water reservoir as public infrastructure, and began building this major Vishnu temple complex near the monastery. However, this temple was never completed, stopping well before mounting its sukhanasi and sikhara. As Kalachuri Hindu dynasty era came to an end with raids, invasions and summary executions by Delhi Sultanate, this incomplete temple was abandoned and remembered as Nakata Mandir (naked-incomplete temple) when the British archaeologists visited this region.

The Vishnu temple stands on a massive platform that is 10 feet high. The temple faces east and is for Vishnu. The side walls of the massive platform are embedded with Hindu artwork. Numerous scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedic legends are shown. They include many Vaishnava stories, but also of Shaivism and Shaktism. Secular scenes such as a student arriving near a yogi-teacher with a book, festivals, kama-maithuna, family scenes are included.

Above the platform, there is evidence that a mandapa was completed. However, the mandapa has not survived. The only part of the original temple that has survived include the antarala and garbhagriya. The walls of the surviving structure are profusely carved with Hindu themes and iconography (most show signs of erosion as well as deliberate mutilation). The temple has a saptaratha design (seven projections). Some of the notable artwork on the outer wall include Parvati, Agni, Ishan, Brahma, Surya, Yama, Indra, Varuna, Vayu, Vishnu, Shiva, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Varaha and Vaishnavi. In addition, are ascetics and rishis – likely in the honour of the monastery-college in the vicinity of this temple.

The sanctum's doorway is equally impressive and intricately carved on five sakhas.