Lakshmi Narayan Group of Temples, Chamba – The Temple Complex

Lakshmi Narayan Group of Temples, Chamba – The Temple Complex

The temple complex consists of six temples arranged in a row from north to south. Out of six temples, three of them are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the rest three are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The principal shrine is Lakshmi Narayana Temple, and the oldest shrine is Chandragupta Mahadev Temple. All these temples are built in Shikara style of architecture. All the temples are provided with wooden chhatris to prevent snow from accumulating on the roof.

A metallic image of Garuda, the  mount of Lord Vishnu is installed on the dhwajastambha pillar at the main gate of the temple. Besides these temples, the temple complex has two other temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Goddess Kali. The temple complex also has an art museum, which documents the history of Chamba and a library, which houses many ancient manuscripts.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple:

This temple is the main shrine in the temple complex. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and mandapa. The mandapa was initially a wooden structure constructed by King Pratap Singh and was replaced by stone structure in the late 19^th century CE. The antrala has two octagonal pillars above which rests trefoliated pediment decorated with bhadramukha (three faces). The pillars have square bases, octagonal shaft, and capitals with floral designs. The river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna are shown on either side on the inner side of the kapili walls.

The pilasters of the same are carved with various deities. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines a marble image of Lakshmi Narayana on a pedestal. The shikara is of eleven tiers. It is surmounted by an amalaka, kalasa, and chakra. Two umbrella type canopy have been provided above and beneath the amalaka.  The whole sikhara and upper part of the sukanasa was rebuilt during the reign of Pratap Singh (1566 – 1582 CE), The bhadra niches on the north and south contain Krishna reliefs while the south one has Kubera.

The Krishna panels on the northern and southern niches were added during the reign of Raja Balabhadra Varman (1589 – 1641 CE). The pillars of the niches have square bases, round shafts and square capitals supporting the miniature shrines in relief. The right pillar on the southern niche contains an inscription dating back to 1579 CE recording the names of Pandit Durugu and barber Gyana as the builders of this shrine. The exterior walls is decorated with reliefs of miniature shikaras.

Chandragupta Mahadeva Temple:

This temple is considered as the earliest shrine in the temple complex. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and wooden mukha mandapa. The antrala is supported by two fluted pillars with square bases and the capitals are decorated with pot and foliage.  The river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna appear at the entrance of the porch, opposite the pillars, Ganesha appears at the lalatabimba.

The enclosing kapili walls carry above a sukanasa containing three faces of Lord Shiva. The surface of the sukanasa has been carved with purnakalasa and purnaratna motifs. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Chandragupta Mahadeva in the form of Shiva Linga within square yonipitha. The shikara over the sanctum is of nine tiers each marked by the corner amalakas.

The shikara is surmounted by an amalaka, chhatri, kalasa and trisula. Two umbrella type canopy have been provided above and beneath the amalaka. The niches on the bhadra projections on the south, west and north enshrines the images of Ganesha, Uma Mahesvara and Bhairava. The exterior is decorated with images of various deities, reliefs of miniature nagara temples, geometric patterns, and floral motifs.

Gauri Shankar Temple:

This temple stands fourth in a row of six temples in the temple complex. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and wooden mandapa. This temple is facing towards east. The antrala is supported by two pillars with square bases, followed by two round bands and then a fluted shaft topped by an octagonal band which is decorated with diamond motifs. The capitals are of ghatapallava variety, topped by an abacus and bracket. The inner face of the kapili walls has been carved with various Hindu deities.

A figure of four armed Bhairava carrying trisula, snake, khatvanga and bowl can be seen on either side beneath the purnaghata. Images of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna can be seen beneath him on either side. The lintel shows navagrahas. The pediment above the porch shows three faces of Lord carved in a sunken medallion. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines an ashtadhatu image of Gauri and Shankar on a pedestal. These images are considered as the one of the finest images in India.

Lord Shiva is four armed. His right lower arm rests on the neck of the Nadi, whereas his upper left elbow rests on the shoulder of Gauri. His right upper hand shows abhaya mudra with a rosary in between the fingers while the lower left hand shows varada mudra. The goddess, Gauri is two armed. Her right hand shows abhaya mudra with a rosary and the left hand holds the nectar pot. Nandi stands behind Shankar and Gauri. The arched torana of the images is devoid of any ornamentation. It shows only moon and lotus petals. The frames and the arch have been crowned with kalasa and chhatri.

The shikara over the sanctum is of nine tiers each marked by the corner amalakas. The shikara is surmounted by an amalaka, chhatri, kalasa and trisula. Two umbrella type canopy have been provided above and beneath the amalaka.  The bhadra offset on the sikhara part also shows miniature shikara shrines in relief. The bhadra niches on the northern, western, and southern side enshrines the images of Shiva, Mahishasura Mardini and Ganesha respectively. The exterior walls are decorated with reliefs of miniature sikhara shrines, floral motifs, and geometrical patterns.

Radha Krishna Temple:

This temple is situated between the Lakshmi Narayana Temple and Chandragupta Mahadev Temple. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum and entrance porch. The sanctum enshrines an image of Krishna with his consort Radha.