THE ANCIENT TEMPLES OF KALACHURI

 

The Ancient temples of Kalachuri Group are a cluster of forgotten temples located at the pilgrim town of Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh (Central India). They were built by the last distinguished ruler of Kalachuri dynasty, King Karna deva during 11^th century.

Origin of River Narmada: History of Area and its significance

The history of Amarkantak dates back to 8th century AD when Adi Shankaracharya built a Surya Kund(pool) to signify the origin of holy River Narmada. The glory of river Narmada is well described in Matsya Purana, which is a composite work containing materials from ancient times to the middle of the 13th century. Chapter 22, 103-112 and 180 are relevant for the study of tirtha (here, holy places along the river).[1]

History of King Karna deva and Kalachuris of Tripuri

The Indian dynasty of Kalachuris ruled from 7th to 13th century in Central India predominantly the Chedi region and Tripuri being its glorious capital. Their lineage rose to power during the rule of King LakshmiKarna or Karna deva who was the best known King of his dynasty and was also famous a great warrior.[2] He assumed the title of Chakravartin (an ideal ruler) and reigned over the region from 1041-1072 CE. He was also a liberal patron of the art and culture and has significant cultural contributions to the history of India. However, the dynasty gradually declined as the successors lost control to their enemies[3].

History and Architecture of Temple

The temples at Amarkantak (being the source of river Narmada) are a famous place of pilgrimage. The ancient temples of Kalachuri group are the oldest structures locally. Lord Shiva is enshrined as the main deity and they are noteworthy for their simplicity in ornamental work to the extent that the ornamental sculptures are only on the outer wall and rest Shikhara, doors, columns, etc do not have any carving except for a few cases of inscriptions written in Sanskrit[4].

The earliest temples in Central and Northern India were commonly constructed of sandstone and planned in Nagara style Architecture. Sandstone being a sedimentary stone composed of sand size grains was used because of its availability and durability. Nagara or North Indian Temple style was common among Hindu temples in Central India. Following are the features of Nagara Style temples:

Adhisthana (Base platform), Jagati (Raise platform above adhisthana), Mandapa (Hall or the pavilion), Antaral (Vestibule or the connecting pathway between sanctum and pavilion), Garbhagriha (Shrine inside the shikhara or the sanctum), Urushringa (Subshidiary shikhara), Shikhara (Tower), Amalaka (Notched stone disc over the shikhara), Kalasha (Metal/ stone spire over Amalaka)[5].

The temples here follow a Pancharatha plan (Panch means 5 and rathas mean chariots) and comprises of a sanctum and antaral with a curvilinear shikhara and a pillared mandapa enclosed by balustrades and stepped pyramidal roof made of receding tiers.[6] Following structures were found in the temple complex:

1)     SURAJ KUND

As per Hindu mythology, Adi Shankaracharya had built Suraj Kund which is considered to be the origin of river Narmada. Later, this Kunda was restored by Kalachuri ruler Karnadeva in the 11^th century.

2)     PANCHAMATH TEMPLE

This is a group of 5 temples known as Panchmath (Panch means 5). Situated on the stone plinth, they were assigned to build during the reign of Gond ruler dated 15^th – 16^th CE.

3)     VISHNU TEMPLE

Also known as Keshav Narayan temple, there is provision of 2 sanctums in temple with separate Antaral with a common mandap. These pancharatha sanctums are surrounded by conical roof of Nagara style.

4)     SHIVA TEMPLE

Also known as Machendranath temple, the Shiva temple has a unique plan with a common entrance and mandapa leading to 2 different garbagrihas facing in perpendicular direction. Design features are similar to Vishnu temple.

5)     PATALESHWAR TEMPLE

According to Hindu Mythology, Adi Shankaracharya enshrined an idol of Lord Shiva.

This temple is constructed as the best example of temple architecture of Kalachuri period. There is a provision of Garbhagriha, Antaral and Mandapa in this temple. The floor of the Garbhagriha is 1.40 metre below compared to the floor of Mandapa. It is also the reason for bearing this name.

6)     KARNA TEMPLE

It is the prominent temple on the site. Built on a large platform, it is a triple shrine structure comprising 3 Garbhagriha each showing a tall ornate shikhara with kapili members and having 7 offsets with a common mandapa (which is essentially lost to time). The different phases of construction imply that it was spread over many decades.

Although the temple shows an advanced design in having a Saptaratha (Sapta means 7 and rathas mean chariots) Garbhagriha; the motifs, sculptures and door are of simplest variety to the extent of having only stencil like Lotus design and scroll in it. Only the cardinal niches contain sculptures[7].

The Present

While these monumental temples flourished during the Kalachuri dyanasty, they soon fell into ruins in the aftermath.

On December 1952, the central government of India declared The Karan temple, Shiva temple and temple of Pataleshwar to be protected monuments under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904[8].

The temples are currently under the supervision of Archaeology Survey of India, Bhopal which is responsible for its conversation and restoration. They cleaned accumulated debris which caused water stagnation, removed a temporary cement platform to reveal original steps and created a boundary wall to define and protect the site area[9].

Today it is one of the popular destinations in the region and slow but steadily it is gaining the recognition it deserves.

Conclusion: The Future

Recently several articles have been published stating the grave situation of Amarkantak. Unrestricted construction of pukka houses, dumping of untreated sewage into the Holy River and change of land use has caused ecological degradation here.[10]

The topic was chosen to shed light on this concern and create awareness about the Narmada river origin town of Amarkantak. Infact, this article was the source of inspiration for research because in order to boost tourism in an area of historical importance often developing authorities neglect the environmental impacts and enforce developmental plans which later result in tragic catastrophic disasters taking local residents and their livelihood in the process.

Today, similar situation is developing along the origin of River Narmada and if preventive measures are not taken we may again endanger some lives in the process.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

·        ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA, B. C. (2006). CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION. BHOPAL: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA.

·        BHARDWAJ, S. M. (1973). TIRTHAS ACCORDING TO THE MATSYA PURANA. In S. M. BHARDWAJ, HINDU PLACES OF PILGRIMAGE IN INDIA (pp. 67-68). UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS.

·        DEVA, K. (1969). MEDEIVAL TEMPLES OF CENTRAL INDIA. In K. DEVA, TEMPLES OF NORTH INDIA (pp. 50-54). NATIONAL BOOK TRUST.

·        KHANDEKAR, N. (2021). ECOLOGICAL DEGRADATION AT NARMADA'S ORIGIN IN AMARKANTAK SPELLS MORE TROUBLE. MONGABAY .

·        KRISHNAMURTI, T. S. (1952). Part II, Sec 3. THE GAZETTE OF INDIA , 1763.

·        MIRASHI, V. V. (1957). THE KALACURIS. In V. V. MIRASHI, A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF INDIA A.D. 985-1206 (pp. 492-494). PEOPLE'S PUBLISHING HOUSE.

·        STUDIES, A. I. (1998). KALACHURIS OF TRIPURI. In M. A. DHAKY, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE VOL II PART 3 (pp. 37-53). PRADEEP MEHENDIRATTA.

·        Tangopaso. (n.d.). GLOSSARY FOR THE ARCHITECTURE OF KHAJURAHO TEMPLES.

 

REFERENCES

·        DATTA, R. (2016). ANCIENT TEMPLES OF KALACHURI PERIOD, AMARKANTAK. https://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/ancient-temples-of-kalachuri-period-amarkantak/ .

·        KANDPAL, S. (n.d.). THE FORGOTTEN TEMPLES OF KALACHURI AREA THAT ARE STILL STRUCTURALLY BEAUTIFUL. https://detechter.com/the-forgotten-temples-of-kalachuri-era-that-are-still-structurally-beautiful/ .

·        MIRACLESULAGNA. (2018). AMARKANTAK PART II: THE ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL. https://wandercrazy.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/amarkantak-part-iithe-architectural-marvel/ .

·        NAYYAR, S. (2017). TEMPLES OF AMARKANTAK. https://www.esamskriti.com/a/Madhya-Pradesh/Temples-of-Amarkantak.aspx .

 

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[1] Because of the special attention given to numerous tirthas near the river, it is suspected that the Matsya purana was created near Narmada region  (BHARDWAJ, 1973). Also Narmada river flows in opposite direction i.e. east to west

[2] Except King Sangaragana III, all the Kalachuri rulers were Lord Shiva devotees (STUDIES, 1998)

[3] (MIRASHI, 1957)

[4] (DEVA, 1969)

[5] (Tangopaso)

[6] (DEVA, 1969)

[7] With the advancement of time temples grew more complex: more ornamentation, towers, niches and sculptures (DEVA, 1969)

[8] (KRISHNAMURTI, 1952)

[9] ASI, Bhopal has also shared list of the Expenditure incurred from 2006-2012 Work Section Expenditure Five year upto Sep..pdf (asibhopal.nic.in) (ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA, 2006)

[10] (KHANDEKAR, 2021)

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