Begunia Temple Complex – Temple Nos. I and II

Begunia Temple Complex – Temple Nos. I and II

The temple No I & II in the temple complex follows rekha deul style architecture and believed to be built around the same time. The southern temple (Temple No II) has two inscriptions. The inscriptions are engraved on the right doorjamb of the entrance of the sanctum. The temple was constructed in 1461 CE by King Harishchandra for his beloved wife Haripriya as per the inscription.

Both these temples are made of black and grey sandstone and are in good condition. Both these temples are saptaratha on plan and faces towards east. Both the temples consisted of sanctum, antrala and mandapa. The mandapa is lost completely. Only few traces of the mandapa can be seen. Both the sanctums are crowned with a rekha nagara shikara. The temples are about 50 feet tall.

The shikaras are topped by an amalaka and a kalasha. The sanctum of the temple 1 enshrines a broken image of Durga with three Shiva Lingams housed in a common argha in front of it. The sanctum of the temple II enshrines an image of Ganesha on a pedestal with an oblong argha with three yonipithas cut into it in front of the image of Ganesha. The image of Ganesha is of recent addition.

The images of Nandi and Bhringi can be found at the bottom of the door jambs. Nataraja can be seen at the center of the lintel of the doorway. Nandis can be found outside the temples facing towards their respective sanctum. The external walls and shikara of the temple are carved with sculptures of mythological figures, dancing female figures, kirtimukha motifs, floral designs and geometrical patterns.