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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