Baijnath Temple, Kangra – The Temple

Baijnath Temple, Kangra – The Temple

The present temple is a beautiful example of the early medieval north Indian Temple architecture known as Nagara style of temples. The Temple is facing west, on the northern side of the mountain with the river Binduka flowing about one hundred meters below, the temple, with its curvilinear sikhara joined through a vestibule (antarala) with a square mandapa having beautiful balconies in the north and south and an entrance-portico (mukha-mandapa) preceded by a Nandi-shrine, is a treat to watch. The entire complex surrounded by a wall measures 36.5 mt. in length from east to west, 21.10 mt. in width in the east and 19.55 mt. in the west.

Entrances:

The main entrance, through stairs, is on the southern side with two shrines having the images of Ganapati and Hanuman on either side. There is another entrance in the western corner of the northern side. A doorway in the northern corner of the eastern wall, that may have been a later addition, is kept locked at present.

Standing Nandi:

A very conspicuous figure is that of a standing Nandi, some distance behind the Nandi shrine, that was placed at a later period.

Nandi Mandapam:

The Nandi-mandapa in front of the entrance porch has a seven-tiered pyramidal roof topped by an amalaka and a kalasa supported by four pillars and brackets of the same style as those of the entrance porch. It measures 116 cm. x 120 cm. With the pedestal of the Nandi measuring 36 cm. x 100 cm. The image of Nandi enshrined in it appears to be the original one of the 13^th century.

Mukha Mandapam:

Next to it is the entrance porch (mukha-mandapa) measuring 3.10 x 2.31 mt. having beautiful pillars of classical order in front with a square base on which is cushion like circular mouldings above which are the slender plain circular shafts crowned by ghatapallava motifs and square abaci and ornamental sridhara brackets. The roof supported on lintels above the brackets has receding three tiers with an amalaka and a kalasa on the top.

Mandapam:

The mandapa, almost a square, measuring 8.50 x 8.30 mt. has the three usual limbs bhadra, pratibhadra and karna. It is joined to the entrance porch through a doorway and has two massive balconies on the north and south respectively. The plinth and the vedibandha have the same characteristics as those of the garbhagriha viz. the pitha consisting of a bhitta and jadyakumbha and vedibandha with mouldings – khura, kumbha, purnaratna, kalasa, pattika and kapotali.

The jangha has bhadrikas (niches on the bhadras) supporting images (infra). In the four corners are buttresses with niches in the shape of shrines with sikhara rising to almost two third of the mandapa’s height. The roof of the mandapa has six horizontal receding tiers, giving it a pyramidal shape and is topped with an amalaka and a kalasa. At the entrance of the mandapa are two pillars each with a square base having each side 42 cm. topped by circular shafts and purnaghata with foliage capitals.

Four massive pillars support the lantern type ceiling of the mandapa, measuring 5.40 x 5.10 mt with their square bases measuring 53 cm. across. The round shafts are topped by octagonal bands and purnaghata capitals. The architraves on these pillars divide the ceiling of the mandapa into nine square and oblong sections.

The center of the ceiling is reduced to a quarter of the original and beautifully decorated by swirling foliage by way of concentric circles. The most important part in the mandapa is the two balconies. With their different type of sculptures and mouldings that do not go with those of the rest of the mandapa and the garbhagriha. However, the balconies are not a new addition but only renovated at a later date.

Antarala:

Next to the mandapa is the antarala or vestibule. It has two pillars at the entrance with a square base, 28 cm. above floor, each side measuring 32 cm. The ceiling of the antarala has three round lotus motifs carved on it. The highly ornate doorway to the garbhagriha attracts the visitors.

Sanctum:

The garbhagriha forms the most important feature of the temple and is intact in its original form. Pancharatha in plan, it measures 5.00 mt across and rises to the height of 14.20 mt. from the base to the finial. The bhadra niches on its outer walls have circular columns on both sides resting on plinth and topped with capitals and abaci. Besides the niches (rathikas), the walls have various motifs for decoration. The sikhara above the jangha consists of nine storeys each marked by a karnandaka and artistically decorated with intertwined gavaksha arches. 

On the top are amalaka and kalasa above that is finial with a trident. In the front of the sikhara is a beautiful round medallion in the center depicting three faces of Siva. Inside the garbhagriha measures 2.30 mt. across. The ceiling of the sanctum is also of lantern pattern with a lotus rosette in the center. It has a Swayambhu Shiva Linga in the center, which is believed to be an Ardhanarishvara form of Siva, probably the only Lingam known as such.

At the floor level is made a white marble yonipitha around the Shiva Linga with a design of a serpent around it. It leads to the sacred water outlet (pranala) going out in the northern wall. A beautiful image of snake, made of silver, with raised hood is placed around the Lingam. The Swayambhu form of Shiva Linga is enshrined in the sanctum of the temple that has five projections on each side and is surmounted with a tall curvilinear Shikhara.

Sculptures:

The outer walls of the temple have several niches with images of gods and goddesses. Numerous images are also fixed or carved in the walls. The outer doorway in the porch as also the inner doorway leading to the sanctum of the temple are also studded with a large number of images of great beauty and iconographic importance. Some of them are very rare to be found elsewhere. The walls of Siva Temple Baijnath are anointed with beautiful carvings and numerous idols of grey stone some of them dating prior to the temple.

Ganesha:

This idol of dancing Ganesha is fixed on the base of the left panel of the porch at entrance. The unique features of the image are that the Ganesha is shown with six arms and with lion and mouse as vahanas. The panel in the base of the idol has three figures, each shown beating the drum.

Hari Hara Hiranyagarbha:

This is a unique composite image of lord Siva and Vishnu with right side depicted as Har (Siva) and left as Hari (Vishnu). The image is three faced; the central image has Krita Mukuta on the left side and Jata Mukuta on the right side. Vishnu bears round karanphool (earings) and the lord Siva has diamond shaped earings. Of the two hands of Vishnu, the upper one has a chakra and the lower one holds a mace resting on the both knees of the image. On the left of Vishnu is shown Laxmi riding on the garuda. Of her four hands she holds a lotus in upper hand. The objects in other hands are not clear.

Of the two hands of Siva, he holds a trident in the upper hand and the scepter in the lower one. The right side of the figure has other face in Soumya form of lord Siva bearing a crown of Jatamudi. On the right side of the figure, there is a four handed image of Parvati riding on Nandi. She holds mirror in upper left hand and a book like object in lower left hand. The right hands are not clear. There are two attendant figures on each side at the top of the figure. There is a foliated hallow on the back of the head of the idol. The figure is shown bearing yogpat.

Kalyana Sundara:

This image depicts the marriage of Siva with Parvati. Siva bearing a crown of jattajoot with a crescent moon, Yagnopavita of snake, holding both the hands of Parvati is shown standing in Vivah-mandap. Parvati is shown standing on the left of Siva in graceful attire, ornaments and manner. There is a fire altar in the centre of the scene. Four headed Brahma is shown seated on the right side and on the left Nandi with human body.

In the centre of the sculpture a tall figure of Vishnu is shown performing kanyadaan. On the both sides of Siva and Parvati at the base are depicted Ganesha and Karthikeya in dancing postures. On the top of the sculpture from the left are shown Vishnu on garuda, Laxmi on lotus, Parvati and Siva seated on Nandi.

Andhkasur Vadh:

This sculpture shows four headed and sixteen handed virat roop of lord Siva picking up the demon Andhkasur on his trident, who was otherwise believed to be invincible on earth and in sky. The blind demon was killed by the lord Siva on his trident in the air. Eight hands on the right-side hold objects: 1. trident 2. snake 3. chakra 4. indistinct 5. axe 6. arrow 7. rosary 8. kharag. Objects in the left hands are: 1. rested on chest 2. shool 3. khatak 4. indistinct 5. bow 6. trident 7. shield 8. khatwang.

Karthikeya:

This is most beautiful and expressive idol kept in the niche on the northern face of the temple. Six headed Karthikeya is shown seated on the peacock in lalitasana with a blissful main face. Of the two hands on the side upper one has shakti (partly broken) and lower hand has matuling. The lower right-hand has an indistinct object and the upper right hand has a chakra.

Brahma:

Four handed, potbellied and bearded Brahma is shown seated in lalitasana bearing a turban. The lower left hand has a pot and the upper left hand holds a book. The upper right hand holds an umbrella like object and the lower right hand is in varada mudra with a rosary.

Surya Dev:

Idol of Surya Dev sitting on a chariot driven by seven horses is placed on the rear side niche of the temple in the eastern side. Surya Dev is shown holding lotus flowers in both the hands and bearing a Kirit Mukut, kanthahar, kundals and vaijyantimala.

Chamunda:

This is a rare idol of goddess Chamunda. The ten handed Devi is shown in rage killing a demon while standing on the body of kaal. On the right is shown another under her dagger. The goddess is depicted in usual manner in Skelton form, with drooping breasts, bearing mundmala, having a mund in her crown and also bearing a row of munds on her forehead. Her rough thorn like hairs are shown in erected form to express the state of aggression. The posture of her left hand with a little finger resting on her chin in vismay mudra is strange. From the face expressions, goddess appears to be ecstatic of her act. The objects on the five right hands are: 1. trident 2. khapper 3. kharag 4. damru 5. sword. Her left five holds: 1. hand in vismay mudra 2. khatwang 3. shool 4. ganta 5. mund.

Ardh Lakshmi Narayana:

This unique image in northern India depicts composite form of Vishnu with his female counterpart, seated on garuda which is shown ten handed with humane face and body. The right-side depicting Vishnu has a Kirit Mukut and karanphool. Of his four hands Vishnu is holding usual attributes lotus, mace, couch and discuss. However, it is the left side of the image which is unusual and makes it very important and different.

It shows female form with a low round crown, round earrings and hair-do in the background. In her four hands she holds a book in front hand, a lotus in the second, a pot in the third and a mirror in the upper hand. Of these book is an attribute of Sarasvati and mirror is an attribute of Parvati. It means the artist has combined the attributes of two goddesses with that of Laxmi. There is a foliated hallow behind the head of image.

Other Shrines:

Besides this temple there are other ancient shrines in and around the place such as Mahakala temple complex that has recently been renovated, the Sidhanath temple, Mukutanath temple etc. Besides the serene surroundings and salubrious climate of middle range hills of Baijnath, tourists interested in adventure can also enjoy paragliding at nearby (about 10 Kms) Bir and go for trekking in the region.