Chaurasi Temple, Bharmour – The Temple Complex

Chaurasi Temple, Bharmour – The Temple Complex

The temple complex consists of 84 shrines. Hence, the temple complex came to be called as Chaurasi Temple (Chaurasi means eighty-four in Hindi). Most of the temples are stone built temples and follows the nagara style of architecture. There are few ponds in the temple complex.

Manimahesh Temple:

This temple is considered as the main temple in the Chaurasi Temple Complex. It is situated at the centre of the temple complex. The temple was founded in the 7^th century CE and was completely rebuilt by the King Sahila Varman in 10^th century CE. The temple was extensively renovated during the reign of Raja Udai Singh of Chamba State (1690 – 1720 CE). The temple stands over a raised platform and follows nagara style of architecture. This temple is facing towards north.

The temple consists of sanctum and a shallow porch. There are two octagonal pillars in the porch. These pillars support the trefoliated pediment. The bases of the pillars are square and contains miniature niches on its four sides. The octagonal shaft is topped by the brackets carved with flying ganas. The left bracket contains an inscription which is partly broken. Each pediment on four sides shows replicas of reduplicated miniature sikhara temples, the centre one shows three faces of Shiva.

The façade below cornice is richly decorated with nine small sikhara temples each enshrining a small deity representing each navagrahas. The doorjamb has five bands of decoration. The base of the doorjamb has images of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna. Image of Ganesha can be seen on the lalata bimba.  The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Manimahesh in the form of Shiva Linga within a rectangular yonipitha. The shikara over the sanctum is of nine tiers.

There is wooden canopy below the amalaka for protecting the shrine from snow and rainfall. The external walls has bhadra niches on the east, west and south. All the niches are empty. Lingas representing the Ekadasa Rudras can be seen on the platform of the temple. It is said that these Rudras protect the sacred premises of Chaurasi. There are also nine Lingas (Naunath) representing the nine ascetics of Nath sect can be seen on the platform of the temple.

Narsingh Temple:

The temple is situated in front of the Manimahesh Temple on the western side of the temple complex. This temple is heavily influenced by the Manimahesh Temple. The temple was built by the Queen Tribhuvan Rekha during the reign of King Yugakar Varman in 950 CE. The sikhara suffered destruction during the earthquake of 1905. The temple consists of sanctum and an entrance porch. The entrance porch has two fluted pillars with rectangular bases. The flying ganas are carved on the brackets.

The lowermost part of the facade shows nine miniature shrines in relief, each sheltering a small deity. The pediment shows three faces of Lord Shiva. The river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna can be seen at the base of the doorjambs. The hamsas are carved on left and right of their heads. An image of Ganesha can be seen on the lalata bimba. The sanctum is square on plan.

The sanctum enshrines an image of seated Narasimha. He is four armed. Two folded under the chin and two held up with extended claws. The sikhara over the sanctum is of nine tiers. The shikara is topped by an amalaka, kalasa and chhatri. The temple follows nagara style architecture. It consists of sanctum and a shallow porch. The sanctum enshrines a bronze image of Narasimha.

Lakshana Devi Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/03/lakshana-devi-temple-bharmour-himachal-pradesh.html

Nandi Temple:

The temple enshrines a life size image of Nandi, the sacred bull mount of Lord Shiva. Nandi is locally called as Nandigan here. The Nandi is made of metal and in standing posture. It is with broken ear and tail. The temple is in the form of modern shed in front of Manimahesh Temple.

Ganesh Temple:

This temple is situated near the entrance of the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built by the King Meru Varman in 6^th century CE. The original wooden temple would have been burned down during the Kira invasion of Bharmour. The temple consists of sanctum encircled by pradakshinapatha which is crowned by a lately built pyramidal roof of slate stone. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines a bronze image of Ganesha. He is shown seated on a lion throne and his legs are missing. This image bears an inscription of King Meru Varman (7^th century CE).

Kartikeya Temple:

The temple is situated on the right side of the entrance to the Lakshana Devi Temple at the temple complex. The temple is also called as Kelang Temple. The temple stands over a small platform with a pyramidal roof. The temple enshrines a stone representing Kartikeya. He is also called as Kelang / Kelang Wazeer / Kelanga Swamy. The temple also enshrines a small piece of wood with a carving of Kelang, a marble image of Kelang and a six-inch-tall metal idol of Kelang. This metal idol is two armed holding a danda and ring.

Rameshvar Temple:

The temple is situated on the western side of the temple complex. The temple is believed to be built by the King Meru Varman in 6^th century CE. The temple enshrines Rameshvar / Trameshvar in the Linga form. The Linga is also called as Trameshvar by the locals as the pitha of the Linga is enclosed in a copper sheet inlaid with silver flower rosettes. It is also believed that this Linga is the original Surya Linga, the clan deity of the Suryavanshi Kings of Chamba. There is a small circumambulatory path around the sanctum.

Seat of Chitragupta:

There is a Shila (Stone Slab) situated in front of the Dharmeshvar Temple. The Shila is carved with a ring and paduka (foot prints). This Shila is protected by a wooden fencing. It is considered as the seat of Chitragupta, who keeps record of good and evil deeds of every living being in this world.

Dharmeshvar Mahadev Temple: 

The temple is situated next to the seat of Chitragupta on the northern corner of the temple complex. The temple is also called as Dharamraj Temple. The temple is believed to be built by the King Meru Varman in 6^th century CE. The temple is believed to be the court of Dharamraj and is locally called Dhai Podi, means two and half steps. These steps were buried now. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Dharmeshvar Mahadev in the form of Swayambhu Linga.

There is door situated adjacent to the temple. It is said that this door leads to a secret cave. It is believed that whomever ventured into this cave never returned back. Hence, the door is always kept locked by the temple authorities. There is a belief among the locals that each departing soul has to stand here in front of this temple and seek final permission from Dharamraj to travel through the temple and dwell in the Shiva Loka after death.

Shri 108 Shri Jai Krishan Ji Giri Temple:

The temple is famously called as Nanga Baba Temple. The temple is the Jeeva Samadhi Temple (burial shrine) of Shri 108 Shri Jai Krishan Ji Giri (Nanga Baba). It is a modern shrine with conical roof and enshrines a marble image of Nanga Baba. This temple is situated close to Narasimha Temple.

Kubera Linga Shrine:

This shrine is situated on the left side of Manimahesh Temple. This shrine looks like a miniature nagara shrine and enshrines a small Linga.

Surya Linga Shrine:

The Surya Linga is enshrined under a modern shed near Ardhaganga. This Linga is considered as the clan deity of the Suryavanshi Kings of Chamba.

Ardhgaya:

Ardhgaya is a temple tank situated on the eastern corner of the temple complex. It is also called as Ardhaganga / Guptaganga.

Deodar Tree:

Deodar Tree / Devadaru Tree is considered as the Sthala Vriksham of this temple complex. It is a huge tree situated near Manimahesh Temple. The tree is considered sacred and cutting down the branches from the tree is strictly prohibited.

Other Shrines:

There are shrines for Jyoti Linga, Mohini Linga, Gupteshwar, Narbadeshwar, Bijli Mahadev, Chamunda, Hanuman, Shitla Devi, and Trameshwar Mahadev in the temple premises. The Shitla Devi shrine is a wooden structure situated closed to the aqueduct.