The temple is dedicated to a goddess named Harshat Mata, although some art historians theorize that it was originally a Vaishnavite shrine.

The analysis of its architectural and sculptural style suggests it was built in the early 9th century, shortly after the construction of the adjoining Chand Baori stepwell.

The temple's original builder is unknown, but historians theorize that it may have been built by a Gurjara-Pratihara king, possibly in association with a local Chahamana vassal.

[2] Based on similarities in style and carvings with the terraced temples of Paranagar and Mandore, the Chand Baori can be dated to 8th-9th century.

[4] Art historian Michael W Meister of University of Pennsylvania dates the temple complex to c. 800–825 CE based on architectural details.

[6] According to Reitz, the two fragments of a Durga sculpture discovered in the Chand Baori compound may have belonged to the main idol of the original temple.

The bigger fragment shows the lower part of Durga's torso with her left leg, her lion vahana, a male attendant, and a beheaded buffalo.

The temple complex is built on two broad stepped terraces (jagati), which originally included a circumambulatory path, now partially ruined.

The boundary of the lower terrace has a relatively plain set of foundation and base moldings (vedibandha), which have decorative patterns at the top.

Reitz's theory is based on an analysis of other contemporary and near-contemporary temples, as well as a study of various fragments found at the Chand Baori compound or housed at various museums.

[4] According to art historian Cynthia Packert Atherton (1995), these are an idealized portrayal of the temple's royal patron, and are symbolic of Vishnu's reign on earth, thus reinforcing the idea of divine kingship.

[22] According to art historian Cynthia Packert Atherton, these images can be explained with reference to the Vishnu worship as described in the Pancharatra texts.