Sunday, December 2, 2018

Baphuon Temple -Splendid Shiva Temple in Cambodia, earlier Hindu Kingdom

Baphuon Temple



LocationCambodia
The Baphuon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon. Built in the mid-11th century, it is a three-tiered temple mountain built as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. It is the archetype of the Baphuon style with intricate carvings covering every available surface. The temple adjoins the southern enclosure of the royal palace and measures 120 meters east-west by 100 meters north-south at its base and stands 34 meters tall without its tower, which would have made it roughly 50 meters tall. Its appearance apparently impressed Temür Khan's late 13th-century envoy Chou Ta-kuan during his visit from 1296 to 1297, who said it was 'the Tower of Bronze...a truly astonishing spectacle, with more than ten chambers at its base.'
The Baphuon (Khmerប្រាសាទបាពួន) is a temple at AngkorCambodia. It is located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon. Built in the mid-11th century, it is a three-tiered temple mountain[1]:103 built as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II[2]:103 dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. It is the archetype of the Baphuon style with intricate carvings covering every available surface[3]. The temple adjoins the southern enclosure of the royal palace and measures 120 metres east-west by 100 metres north-south at its base and stands 34 meters tall without its tower, which would have made it roughly 50 meters tall. Its appearance apparently impressed Temür Khan's late 13th century envoy Chou Ta-kuan during his visit from 1296 to 1297, who said it was 'the Tower of Bronze...a truly astonishing spectacle, with more than ten chambers at its base.'
In the late 15th century, the Baphuon was converted to a Buddhist temple. A 9 meter tall by 70 meter long statue of a reclining Buddha was built on the west side's second level, which probably required the demolition of the 8 meter tower above, thus explaining its current absence. The temple was built on land filled with sand, and due to its immense size the site was unstable throughout its history. Large portions had probably already collapsed by the time the Buddha was added.
Surrounded by a wall 125 by 425 m the central tower was probably gilded wood, which has not survived.[4]:376
By the 20th century, much of the temple had largely collapsed, and restoration efforts took on an epic quality. A large-scale project to dismantle the temple so that its core could be re-enforced before the whole is re-constructed again -- a process known as anastylosis -- was abandoned after civil war broke out in 1970. The workers and archaeologists were forced to leave 300,000 carefully labelled and numbered blocks organised across 10 hectares surrounding the temple. However, the plans identifying the pieces were lost during the decade of conflict and the Khmer Rouge that followed.
A second project to restore the temple was launched in 1996 under the guidance of architect Pascal Royère[5] from the EFEO. It took the team another 16 years to complete what had become known as the "largest 3D jigsaw puzzle in the world"[6]. In April 2011, after 51 years of work, the restoration was completed and the temple formally re-opened. King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia and Prime Minister Francois Fillon of France were among those who first toured the renovated temple during the inauguration ceremony on July 3, 2011.[7]

Saturday, October 27, 2018


MURUDESHWAR TEMPLE : A MARVELLOUS VASTU ARCHITECTURE

This giant temple with a 20-storied Gopura is constructed at the main temple. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to the temple. The entire temple and temple complex, including the 249 feet tall Raja Gopura, which is considered the tallest gopura in the world. The temple authorities have installed a lift that provides a breath-taking view of the 123-feet Sri Shiva idol from the top of the Raja gopura.

The origin of "Murdeshwar" is associated to Atma Linga carried by Ravan and dates to the time before Ramayana.
YouTube

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva whose giant statue can been seen in #Yog mudra, lies on the holy beach town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated between the Honnavar and Bhatkal town (about 12kms), about 150 km from Mangalore.

Sphinx temple of Baluchistan


VEDIC SPHINX TEMPLE CUM EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX

VEDIC SPHINX TEMPLE CUM EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX

#Balochistan was part of Indian state before the blunder of partition by our political leaders. There are many faded historical and archaeological complex in the region as it was a part of the great Sapta Sindhu Civilization (The Indus). One of the gem is a vedic sphinx which is located in Hingol National Park. In the centre of the same park lies the famous Shakti peeth of goddess #Sati (Shakti) which is famous as Hinglaj Mata Mandir. This temple is situated on Hingol river bank about 250 km to North West of Karachi. This temple has very old existence and #Jayadratha (Saindhava - King of #Sindhu), brother in law of Kauravas who married the only sister named Dushala built many temples around Hinglaj Mata Mandir. These sites predates Mahabharata (~5500 BC), and indeed this Vedic Sphinx was built by Sindhu Kingdom ruler.

Raja Deekshithar, discovered the sphinx in Indian Civilization with a position of an animal at the gate. Many believes it's a depiction of Narasimha or Purushamriga. This sphinx is considered as guardian of knowledge and believed to a well flourished higher educational centre. Very close to the sphinx is a Hindu temple like structure with Mandapa, the Vimana and top of Vimana is missing. The sphinx is reclining in front of temple acting like a guardian to the temple just like Nandi Bull in front of every Shiva Temple. In one form it seems like the sphinx is worshipping Shivlinga. Almost similar image of Purushamriga was found carved out in a south indian temple (see pic 8 ). Almost all ancient temples in North India was destroyed by foreign invaders which was started by Mahmud of Ghaznavi. A closer look of this entire complex gives clear cut evidences of a rock cut temple which can be found almost in all parts of Country.  The front carving which is eroded looks like of Kartikeya and Ganesha. The kalasha above the gopurams have been gone due to time.

The sites of Sapta Sindhu Civilization is been dated as far as 7700 BC, and further research on this master piece of Sindhu Kingdom should be studied.

In all possibility, these temples in Hingol was built by Jayadratha or his ancestors. His father name was King Vridhakshatra. It is believed that Sindhu Kingdom was founded by King Vrsadarbh who was son of Sivi and its capital was known as Vrsadarbhpura. The kingdom of Sauvira was founded by Prince Sauvira. The neighbouring kingdom of Madra, Kekaya and Sindhu  belonged to Madraka, Kekaya and Vrsadarbh; all four  were  son of great king named Shivi.

#Shivi was direct descendant of #Yayati's son Anu. #Anu had three sons; Sabhanara, Chakshusha and Paramekshu. Sabhanara Son was Kalanara; his son was Srinjeya; his son was Puranjeya; his son was Janamejaya; his son was Mahamani; his son Mahamanas; who had two son #Usinara and #Titikshu. Usinara had 5 sons ; Shivi, Trina, Gara, Krimi and Darvan. Shivi had 4 sons; Vrshadarbh, Sauvira, Kaikeya and Madra.

Titikshu had one son named Ushadratha; his son was Hema; his son was Sutapas; his son was Bali; whose 5 sons were Anga, Banga, Kalinga, Suhma and Pundra known as Dirghatamas. The son of Anga was #Para; his son was Divaratha; his son was Dharmaratha; his son was Romapada who also got title of Dasaratha; his son was Chaturanga; his son was Prithulaksha; his son was Champa who founded city Champa. The son of Champa was Harryanga; his son was Bhadraratha; his sons were Vrihatkarman and Vrihadratha. Vrihatkarman son was Vrihatmanas; his son was Jayadratha; his son was Vijaya; his son was Dhriti; his son was Dhritavarta; his son was Satyakarman;  his son was Adhiratha who found Karna in a basket; son of Karna was Vrishasena. These were also known as Anga Kings which started from King Anga.

PC : Bibhu Dev Mishra, IIT Kharagpur












#Balochistan was part of Indian state before the blunder of partition by our political leaders. There are many faded historical and archaeological complex in the region as it was a part of the great Sapta Sindhu Civilization (The Indus). One of the gem is a vedic sphinx which is located in Hingol National Park. In the centre of the same park lies the famous Shakti peeth of goddess #Sati (Shakti) which is famous as Hinglaj Mata Mandir. This temple is situated on Hingol river bank about 250 km to North West of Karachi. This temple has very old existence and #Jayadratha (Saindhava - King of #Sindhu), brother in law of Kauravas who married the only sister named Dushala built many temples around Hinglaj Mata Mandir. These sites predates Mahabharata (~5500 BC), and indeed this Vedic Sphinx was built by Sindhu Kingdom ruler.

Raja Deekshithar, discovered the sphinx in Indian Civilization with a position of an animal at the gate. Many believes it's a depiction of Narasimha or Purushamriga. This sphinx is considered as guardian of knowledge and believed to a well flourished higher educational centre. Very close to the sphinx is a Hindu temple like structure with Mandapa, the Vimana and top of Vimana is missing. The sphinx is reclining in front of temple acting like a guardian to the temple just like Nandi Bull in front of every Shiva Temple. In one form it seems like the sphinx is worshipping Shivlinga. Almost similar image of Purushamriga was found carved out in a south indian temple (see pic 8 ). Almost all ancient temples in North India was destroyed by foreign invaders which was started by Mahmud of Ghaznavi. A closer look of this entire complex gives clear cut evidences of a rock cut temple which can be found almost in all parts of Country.  The front carving which is eroded looks like of Kartikeya and Ganesha. The kalasha above the gopurams have been gone due to time.

The sites of Sapta Sindhu Civilization is been dated as far as 7700 BC, and further research on this master piece of Sindhu Kingdom should be studied.

In all possibility, these temples in Hingol was built by Jayadratha or his ancestors. His father name was King Vridhakshatra. It is believed that Sindhu Kingdom was founded by King Vrsadarbh who was son of Sivi and its capital was known as Vrsadarbhpura. The kingdom of Sauvira was founded by Prince Sauvira. The neighbouring kingdom of Madra, Kekaya and Sindhu  belonged to Madraka, Kekaya and Vrsadarbh; all four  were  son of great king named Shivi.

#Shivi was direct descendant of #Yayati's son Anu. #Anu had three sons; Sabhanara, Chakshusha and Paramekshu. Sabhanara Son was Kalanara; his son was Srinjeya; his son was Puranjeya; his son was Janamejaya; his son was Mahamani; his son Mahamanas; who had two son #Usinara and #Titikshu. Usinara had 5 sons ; Shivi, Trina, Gara, Krimi and Darvan. Shivi had 4 sons; Vrshadarbh, Sauvira, Kaikeya and Madra.

Titikshu had one son named Ushadratha; his son was Hema; his son was Sutapas; his son was Bali; whose 5 sons were Anga, Banga, Kalinga, Suhma and Pundra known as Dirghatamas. The son of Anga was #Para; his son was Divaratha; his son was Dharmaratha; his son was Romapada who also got title of Dasaratha; his son was Chaturanga; his son was Prithulaksha; his son was Champa who founded city Champa. The son of Champa was Harryanga; his son was Bhadraratha; his sons were Vrihatkarman and Vrihadratha. Vrihatkarman son was Vrihatmanas; his son was Jayadratha; his son was Vijaya; his son was Dhriti; his son was Dhritavarta; his son was Satyakarman;  his son was Adhiratha who found Karna in a basket; son of Karna was Vrishasena. These were also known as Anga Kings which started from King Anga.

PC : Bibhu Dev Mishra, IIT Kharagpur

Lathia piller of Gupta Period 322BC-185 BC




Lathiya  Pillar (Jamania) is Monolithic pillar dating to the SkandaGupta period which was built on the lines of the Mauryan period (322 BC to 185 BC) although it has eight lions instead of four, the Garuda figure resting on a circle of lotus leaves, which once crowned the bell-shaped capital.
Four brick temples of Gupta period has been found mostly in the form of ghost walls. All these temples are facing east and having the same plan. These  were composed of two architectural units, the sanctum (Garbha Griha) and mandapa. Stone pillar is situated west of the temple group. Temple No.1 and 2 and its enclosure wall were constructed in period II phase I and temple No. 3 and 4 were constructed in Phase II of same period.

The temple site at Lathiya in Jamania tehsil has a close connection with a similar site at #Bhitari where an inscribed Gupta pillar of the time of Skandagupta stands in the vicinity of a temple. Every year Lathia mela is organised which fetches huge amount of devotees.

Jamania tehsil is in Ghazipur district. Jamania gets its name from Rshi Jamdagni because of his Ashram. Ghazipur old name was Gadhipuri associated to King #Gadhi. King Gadhi was father of #Viswamitra and #Satyawati. Satyawati was mother of Jagdambni Rshi whose son was Parashuram. #Buxar few kms from Ghazipur is associated with Viswamitra after becoming BrahmaRishi, this was the place where #Tadka killing happened by Shri Ram and Lakshman. The site of "Ahalya getting back to life" is in Buxar which is now known as #Ahirauli.

Sunday, October 14, 2018

SIALKOT: Centuries-old Shawala Teja Singh temple

SIALKOT: Centuries-old Shawala Teja Singh temple is crumbling and needs preservation.
The temple, located in city’s congested Dhaarowal locality, is more than 1,000 years old, according to the book ‘History of Sialkot’ by the late Rashid Niaz.
Local residents said the temple had become a haven for addicts.
The temple is located on a dune along Allama Iqbal Road and one has to climb up staircases to reach the building.
In 2014, the tehsil municipal administration established a family park around the temple at the cost of Rs5 million.
Though the park remains full of families in the evening, the temple is under the occupation of addicts.
A mob had damaged the temple, including the tombs, in 1992 while protesting the demolition of Babari Mosque in India.
The Hindus of Sialkot stopped visiting the temple after the mob attack.Local Hindu leaders Rattan Laal, former District Council member, and Rumaish Kumar have urged the government to ensure the early repairing of the crumbling building of Shawala Teja Singh temple.

1400 year old Temple at Narastan Tral

More than 1400 year old Temple at Narastan Tral
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Narastan Mandir, now in ruins, lies in the North-East of Avantipora, 16 km from Tral town towards famous Aripal. The place of Narastan is famous for its ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, standing against the backdrop of lofty mountains of the Brariaangan Range. The name Narastan is the deviation of the original Narayan Sthan (place of Narayan). Architecturally, the temple claims a place of pride among many ancient temples of Kashmir. Minor excavation work undertaken by Lawrence showed existence of specimens of old sculpture. This stone temple is distinguished for its architectural works; it is dissimilar from all the other temples in the Kashmir Valley. Dating back to more than 1400 years. The interior compound measures about 8.6 feet square. An interesting feature of the Narastan Temple is, it has no ceiling. The courtyard measures 70 feet square. From the outer wall, there is a small side entrance near the southwestern side. This circular shaped temple is wholly constructed with stones in Gandhara style of architecture. The temple is on a single base consisting of only four courses of stones. At the top of the pediment, there is a figure that resembles a Garuda, the king of birds, sacred vehicle to Lord Vishnu, who is half man and half eagle with the power to acquire any shape. The main draw of the temple is the trefoil arches on the peripheral of the shrine walls. Another remarkable feature is the absence of any circumambulatory path on top of the base. From the courtyard, a flight of four steps leads to the shrine of Narastan. There is a stream of water that gushes down near the front of the temple Tral , Jammu and Kashmir