Monday, February 4, 2019

Bhoramdeo Temple Complex – Temple Complex

Bhoramdeo Temple Complex – Temple Complex
Bhoramdeo temple, built of stone, and dated to the 11th century, which is older than the Khajuraho Group of temples. A sculpted figure of Nandi (the bull), the mount of Shiva, is installed and a colorful arch greets visitors. From this entrance is a well laid out esplanade leads to the temple complex. The esplanade is laid like an avenue planted with Sal (Shorea robusta), Giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus) and Arjun trees (Terminalia arjuna) on both sides. It terminates in a manmade lake with the Maikal Mountains forming its backdrop.

There are Gulmohar trees (Delonix regia) spreading its branches with profusion of flowers in orange-red hue. Boats, which ply in the lake, are moored to a jetty, and a fountain at the center of the lake spreads jets of water. The temple complex is situated on the banks of this lake. Its architectural style is known as the Gurur type, unlike the north Indian Nagara style of architecture.

The architectural features with erotic sculptures have given a distinct style akin to the Khajuraho and the Konark and hence the Bhoramdeo complex is known by the sobriquet the "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh. Its structural uniqueness lies in the receding rows or tiers placed successively upwards in the top part of the temple tower. It has profusion of carved images on its exterior walls. The first stage of the temple is a large platform or plinth that is built to height of 5 feet (1.5 m).

The platform itself, on its exterior faces, has many sculptures of Hindu deities carved on it. The temple built over this platform which measures 60 feet (18 m) x 40 feet (12 m) has the conventional Hindu temple composition of a mandapa (hall), followed by an antrala or passage leading to the Garbha Griha or sanctum sanctorum, the main enclosure in the temple where the chief deity, Shiva in form of a Shiva Linga, is enshrined. The mandapa is square on plan and is supported on four main central pillars, apart from the peripheral pillars.

The sanctum sanctorum measures 9 feet (2.7 m)x9 feet (2.7 m). All the three enclosures are linked by passageways. The temple is built facing the eastern direction, where there is an entry door; in addition, there are two more doors which open to the south and north but there is no door in the westerly direction. The three doors have open "half shelters". Right at the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum, there are very finely sculpted images of the ten avatars of the god Vishnu, apart from images of Shiva and Ganesha.

The towering roof of this garbhagriha is topped by Kalasha, which is circular in shape. The garbhagriha has striking right angled offsets in the north east and southern part which add to the elegance of the temple. There are many small towers which surround the main tower. The front entrance door of the temple has sculpted images of Ganga and Yamuna on its doorpost.

Also sculpted on the exterior and interior walls of the temple are the bass reliefs in the entablature part, of elephants, mythical figures and sensuous sculptures; the sensuous figures on the exterior walls represent the Kama Sutra, the erotic postures which reflects the then prevailing social, cultural, architectural and religious ethos in the region. These sculptures are crafted in three tiers on the exterior face of the temple up to the pinnacle and are housed in niches.

The sculpted images arranged in rows on the outer faces of the main tower vary in size from 1 foot to 1.5 ft to 2 ft in descending order from the top of the tower to its lower end. The main tower expands lower down into four other subsidiary structures to provide stability to the main tower. The lowest tier of the exterior walls is embellished with sculptures of lions and elephants. The material used for the sculptures are of black and ochre stones (black stone is used to carve pantheon gods while Ochre stone is used for other sculptures). Also sculptured on the exterior face of the temple are divine images of Vishnu and his incarnations.

In addition, the entrance doors are flanked by images of mythological figures, which are of 1 or 2 ft in height. On the southern face of the shikara or tower there is well crafted image of Ganesha with six arms and well turned out trunk.  Some of the other images of interest are: A stone slab of Vishnu and Lakshmi mounted on Garuda with a king offering prayers, a gana adorning the top part of the pillars; inside the sanctum sanctorum, next to the main deity of Shiva Linga, is serpent with raised hood, and also images of Ganesha and Shiva, and that of a king and queen.

Istaliq Temple:
The Istaliq temple or the temple built with dried or burnt clay bricks adjoins the main Bhoramdeo temple. It was the first temple built between 2nd and 3rd centuries. This temple, in a dilapidated condition. has only a sanctum sanctorum without an entrance hall or mandapam. The tower above the sanctum sanctorum is extant only to half its height. There is wall projecting out of this temple which is known as "Allinda". Other existing structural features seen in the sanctum sanctorum are a few sculpted pillars. A sculpted Shiva Linga is enshrined here along with images of Uma Maheshwar and of the king and queen standing in a worshipful pose.

Open Air Museum:
There is an open-air museum within the temple complex which has a large collection of archeological antiquaries unearthed from the area, which are dated to 2nd and 3rd centuries. A particular find on display is of Sati pillars, which have unique architectural motif in which couples are carved in squatting amorous postures called the "alingana-mudra". There are also many slabs (stelles), with one stele in particular carved with a sword as a commemorative slab, and images of Uma Maheshwar.


Other collections on display in the courtyard are: Many dilapidated images; friezes of Nandi and Linga; and on the northern part of the courtyard a temple made of bricks in a ruined state. A recently built temple washed in red color with the deity Hanuman, is also seen on one side of the courtyard. A draped Kal Bhairava sculpture is also seen in the complex at its exit end.

Cherki Mahal:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Madwa Mahal:
For brief details, please refer below link;

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