Brahma Temple, Pushkar – The
Temple
The temple lies on a high
plinth, is approached through a number of marble steps leading to an entrance
gate archway, decorated with pillared canopies.
The entry from the gate leads to a pillared outdoor hall (Mandapa)
and then the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha).
The temple is built with stone slabs and blocks, joined together with molten
lead. The red shikara (spire) of the temple and symbol
of a hamsa (a swan or goose) - the mount of
Brahma – are distinct features of the temple.
The shikara is about 70 feet
(21 m) in height. The hamsa motif decorates the main entry gate. Marble
floor (in black and white checks) and walls inside the temple have been inlaid
with hundreds of silver coins by devotees (with their names inscribed), as mark
of offering to Brahma. There is a silver turtle in
the mandap, that is displayed on the floor of the temple facing the
Garbhagriha, which is also built in marble. The marble flooring has been
replaced from time-to-time.
The Sanctum houses an idol of
Lord Brahma. The Idol is made of marble, was installed by Adi Shankaracharya in
718 AD. He is seated in a crossed leg
position in the aspect of creation of the universe (the Vishwakarma form).
The central image is called the chaumurti (four-faced idol). It is of
life size with four hands and four faces, each oriented in a cardinal
direction.
The four arms hold
the akshamala (rosary), the Pustaka (book), the Kurka (Kusha)
and the kamandalu (water
pot). Brahma is riding on his mount, the hamsa. The four symbols held by Brahma
in his arms (the rosary, Kamandalu, book and the sacrificial implement Kusha
grass) represent time, the causal waters from which the universe emerged,
knowledge and the system of sacrifices to be adopted for sustenance of various
life-forms in the universe.
Gayatri's image sits along with
Brahma's in centre to his left. Savitri alias Sarasvati sits to the right of
Brahma, along with other deities of the Hindu pantheon. Images of the peacock,
Sarasvati's mount, also decorate the temple walls. Images of the
preserver-god Vishnu,
life-sized dvarapalas (gate-keepers) and a gilded Garuda (eagle-man,
mount of Vishnu) are also seen in the temple. The sacred Pushkar Lake is
situated close to the temple.
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