Vaisnava Temples (1): Laksmana Temple

Religious shrines are the most numerous, variegated and spectacular among the excavated structures at Sirpur. These consist of Brahmanic-Visnava and Saiva as well as Buddhist and Jaina. Among them, Saiva temples are very numerous–by now dozen of sites have revealed Siva temples–of different shapes and sizes and architectural styles in different stages of preservation. Of them–a few like the Balesvara group, those in the Surang Tila and a few others are of significant architectural value. Besides, some Visnuite temples like Laksmana–one of the extant temple is of great architectural value.

Coming to Vaisnava temples first, the Laksmana temple, built by queen Vasata in the first half of 8^th century A.D. is the only extant structure which can now be said to be somewhat complete before any excavation began in Sripura. From the standpoint of architecture this shrine is very significant. ‘with it is greater part of brick tower, some amount of stone sculptures, pillars and carved brick surface of former days in their original places’. It stands on a well-built platform of stones measuring 23.5 miters x 12 miters with a height of 2.1 miters, reached by two flights of steps.

The temple’s architectural style represents that of the intermediate stage between those of the Gupta period and the early medieval period of northern India and marks one of the earliest phases of temple construction at Sirpur. ‘In fact, it is one among the early-medieval Sikhara (curvilinear) temple of central India. Until further discovery, it may be said to mark the beginning of the style in Kosala region’. Evidently, the Gupta Sikhara style had it effect and influence in the temple. But the spectacular brick masonry of the temple has few parallels in so far as it is made of entirely large sized red-bricks, with the exception of stonedoor-frame of the sanctum entrance and pillars and pilasters which once supported the roofs of the mandapa (porch).

The master-architects who designed this temple have taken keen interest in joining and rubbing the bricks to create an impression of compactness or solidness. The architectural features of this temple are also significant. The Bhumi-Amalalaka which shows the different surface of the Sikhara, ornamented goblins, elephants, the recessed Sikhara, the sloping of the Adhisthana viz. Khura, Kumbha, Kalasa, Antarpatra as well as Kapota are some features of the Laksmana temple which are found in the temples of the North India. According to Dr. M.G. Dixit^[1] the Laksmana temples at Sirpur and the Bhitargaon temple of Kanpur district (Uttar Pradesh) of the Gupta times (320-550 A.D) exhibit the characters and styles between those of the Gupta age and the Pala age (10^th century A.D) at Achichatra, Nalanda as well as Pahadpur.

The temple has a stellate ground plan with Pancaratha features on the body. Beginning from the lowest portion of the Sikhara temple which is called Pa Bhaga (Adhisthana), which is the same for the entire temple, it contained according to Sri Krishna Dev^[2] a stone-base called Khara-Sila with (1) Khura (2) Kumbha (3) Kalasa (ghatapallava with fruits and leaves) (4) Antarpatra (the recess has constructed by half pillars with ghatapallava on the top) (5) KapotaPalika decorated with floral design (6) Caitya arch or vault with decorating doves.

This arrangement is found on all the four middle outward projections (Bhadra).

The upper portion of the Adhistana is called Jangha, which contains Ardhastambhas on all the five outward projections of the sanctum cella and three closed windows (Andha-Vatayana) on the north, west and south, which represent replicas of wooden-doors. The recesses which are present on two sides of the closed-windows are being prepared in the pattern of a temple. On the top of all these are the representation of “Chaitya-Vatayana” and “Kirttimukha” which are very unique. The buttresses of the fringes, like the middle “Bhadra”, contain “Ardha-stambhas” with Ghatapallavas”.

In between the “Jangha” and the “Sikhara” (piece also called gandi) comes the ‘Baranda’ of temple on which representation of varieties of art forms on soft bricks are very charming. The effigies of doves, goblins, pillar tops (Strambha sirsa) and elephant are very unique. There are recesses with goblins in the middle Raha-paga (central vertical projection on the outer face of the spine). The design of lions on the narrow, vertical wall-part [recess] between the projecting Raha-paga are same to the Stambha Sirsas of the temples of Sanci of the Gupta age.

The ‘Sikhara’ (the topmost portion) of the Laksmana temple is with many mouldings which are decorated with Caitya-arches. These Caitya-vaults appear receding towards the upper part of the Sikhara in a right proportion.

The triangular window on the front side of the Sikhara is a unique creation which resembles that of the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya^[3]. The uppermost portion of the temple is missing now. On the basis of similarity with the Rajivalochana temple at Rajim M.G. Dixit^[4] thinks that the original roof of the Laksmana temple was smooth and was decorated with ‘Amalakas’ (desc-shaped, fluted crowning element on the top of the temple).

The door-jamb of the Garbhagraha is very significant in consideration of the architecture of Laksmana temple. The door-jamb is made from red sandstone which resembles the colour of brick. It is decorated with five sections. The first section is in the form of round Ardhastambhas and ornamentation of vegetation. The second section is decorated in the imitation of flowers and diamonds. The third section contains erotic figures and the fourth section is in the shape of Ardhastamabhas where there are human images. The fifth section presents the Avataras (incarnation) of Visnu and Krsna’s Lila (pranks or plays) with other Puranic illustrations. The door-jamb illustrates the Avataras of Matsya, Varaha, Nrsimha and Rama while illustrations of Krsna-Lila contain Kaliyadalana, Kama-parajaya, Kamsa-Vadha, Kesi-Vadha etc. the lintel of the door-jamb contain the picture of Sesasai Visnu (Visnu reclining on sesa, the serpent).

In short, the temple is architecturally, sculpturally and historically unique in the state (Central Province) being only one of its kinds built in bricks and s tones^[5].

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Sirpur and Rajim Temples, p. 21.

[2]:

Journal of Madhya Pradesh Itihasa, No. 2, 36.

[3]:

Cunningham, A., ASR, XVII, p. 27.

[4]:

Sirpur and Rajim Temples, p. 19.

[5]:

Raipur District Gazetteer, p. 570.