Hindu North India

8/2/2019 Hindu North India

1/23

Hindu Sanctuariesin India

Northern India5th cent BC - 17th cent AD

For each section there exists a Google-Earth.kmz file which locates the places on the globe.

These files open only in GE, which you must have on your hard-disc.

Northern India

Varanasi Cremation Ghats

550 BC - present

Early morning cremations at the Gats.

Photo from a Russian Website

Varanasi is a city situated on the banks of the river Ganga (Ganges). It is sacred to Hindus,

Buddhists and Jains, and is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. People

are coming here to bathe in the Ganges or to die. Cremations take place on certain ghats

lining the crowded rive bank. Buddha Gautama taught his Sermon in the Deer Park across the

river from the city in 550 BC.

Varanasi is an experience not an art museum. These are photos taken on an intense early

morning at the ghats.
http://rolfgross.dreamhosters.com/India-ArchitectureWeb/Northern%20India.kmzhttp://rolfgross.dreamhosters.com/India-ArchitectureWeb/Northern%20India.kmz


2/23

Varanasi, Laundry wallahs by the Ganges

Women after their bath.

Photos RWFG
http://rolfgross.dreamhosters.com/India-Web/Varanasi.htmhttp://rolfgross.dreamhosters.com/India-Web/Varanasi.htm


3/23

Deogarh DashavataraTemple

5th cent AD

Deogarh is a village near Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh. Its Vishnu temple is one of the early

surviving Hindu stone temples still in existence. It was built in the Gupta period (320-600AD).

Photo harekrsna,com.

The small, square temple had a circumabulatory surrounding it, which allowed the

worshippers to view the exceptionally fresh sculptural panels with Vishnu's deeds.
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-08/features1163.htmhttp://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-08/features1163.htm


4/23

Vishnu reclining on the snake (south wall), - Photo harekrsna,com

Vishnu riding on Garuda rescues Gajendra, the King of the elephants from the Naga cobra.

Northern Wall of the temple. Photo harekrsna,com
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-08/features1163.htmhttp://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-08/features1163.htmhttp://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-08/features1163.htmhttp://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-08/features1163.htm


5/23

The penance of Nar and Naraynana (Tapasya), Photo harekrsna,com

Tigawa, Kankali Devi Temple, Hindu

5th cent AD

Photo indoarch.org

This square temple was a forerunner of the structural stone temples (not caves!) of the

Gupta dynasty. It is very well preserved and is similar to Buddhist Temple 17 of Sanchi. It

does not have a circumbulatory, but it does have an ardhamandapa, which was originally jus

a pathway. The walls on both sides of the ardhamandapa were attached later. The roof is flat

and there is no shikhara. As in Sanchi, lions are sculpted on top of the pillars.
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-08/features1163.htmhttp://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-08/features1163.htmhttp://www.indoarch.org/place.php?placelink=R%3D4%2BS%3D14%2BP%3D158%2BM%3D899http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/10-08/features1163.htmhttp://www.indoarch.org/place.php?placelink=R%3D4%2BS%3D14%2BP%3D158%2BM%3D899


6/23

Nagda Temples Hindu

7th-10th cent AD

Nagda, Jain Adbudji and Sas-Bahu Temples

Photo monnee-kashyap.in

Nagda was the 7th - 8th century capital of the Mewar kingdom. Its main shrine is the Sas-

Bahu temple dedicated to Vishnu and dating from the late 10th century

KhajurahoChaunsath Yogini Temple,Tantric Shaivite, 900 AD

Photo sourav_das, Panoramio
http://www.monnee-kashyap.in/rajasthancontent.htmhttp://www.panoramio.com/photo/20655343http://www.monnee-kashyap.in/rajasthancontent.htmhttp://www.panoramio.com/photo/20655343


7/23


8/23


9/23

The lower bands depict worldly life, a caravan of elephants, an army of warriors....

Not all maidens are active, these two are half asleep.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20655343http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20655343


10/23

The sculptures of the Jain temples are less exalted.

Numerous Sardulas, symbols of desire, hide in the shadows between gods and men. This

one has its teeth cleaned by a miniature earthling. Photos can be found at RWFG, Khajuraho

Another website with hundreds of black and white photos of the sculptures: vishwakala.org

Hirapur 64-Yogini Temple Tantric Shaivite

8th - 11th cent AD

This temple is dedicated to the sixty-four ("chaunsath") yoginis (Tantric goddesses), whose

exquisite sculptures are set into exterior and interior niches. The temple faces east; its

circular form is typical of goddess temples in India. Only four such sites have survived:

Hirapur, Khajuraho (900 AD), Bheragat (10th cent) and the Temple to Durga Kamakhaya in

Guwahati, Assam (1674)

This is the only "yogini" temple that has female figures on its outer walls, and their

distinctive qualities lead one to conclude that this was, at least at one time, a Buddhist

shrine: There are nine exterior niches, each home to a dakini sculpted in sandstone poised

above large severed human heads. Each holds either her characteristic curved knife or spear

in one hand, and her skull cup in the other.

It is generally accepted that the Hirapur temple was constructed during the reigns of Bhauma
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20655343http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20655343http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20655343http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20655343http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20655343http://rolfgross.dreamhosters.com/India-Web/Khajuraho.htmhttp://www.vishwakala.org/uniportal/info/photo.asp?mi=82&xp=5223%CE%BE=0http://rolfgross.dreamhosters.com/India-Web/Khajuraho.htmhttp://www.vishwakala.org/uniportal/info/photo.asp?mi=82&xp=5223%CE%BE=0


11/23

and Somavamsi (mid-8th to mid-10th century,) since the figures resemble the style of those

in the Mukteshwar temple in Bhubaneswar dating to the 9th century. That period is known as

Orissa's Golden Age as a consequence of the dynasty's patronage and eclecticism in the arts,

and tolerance in religious matters. However, it might be located at the site of a far older

sanctuary.

The chaunsat yogini temple of Hirapur is roofless. 64 dakinis circle its sacred enclosure in

the center of which once stood Bhairava on a platform, who is now missing.


12/23

Hirapur, the inside of the sanctuary with the 64 soapstone yogini sclptures


13/23

A Tantric female Ganesh

Bheraghat Chaunsath Yogini Temple Shaivite Tantric1025 AD


14/23

Temple bell and the entrance to the Durga Temple at the center of the circle visible in GE,

12th cent - Photo Panoramio

Situated atop a hill rock and approached by a long flight of steps,the Chausat Yogini Temple

commands a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the jagged Marble

Rocks. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this 10th century temple has exquisitely carved stone

figures of deities belonging to the Kalchuri period. According to a local legend,this ancient

temple is connected to the Gond Queen Durgavati's palace through an undergroung

passage. - Notice that the GE map shows 2 circular structures next to each other!

Photo Panoramio
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15085438http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15085438http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11479322http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15085438http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15085438http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11479322


15/23

Photo Panoramio

As in Hirapur the actual shrine is roofless. The Yogini are placed under the circular overhang

on the periphery. Most are damaged. These two are among the better preserved sculptures.

Bubaneshvar Brahmasvara Temple1060 AD

The towers of the Brahmeswar temple. The Brahmesvara Temple is a pancharatna (5 shrines)

which includes small shrines with square shikharas. - Photo indoarch

Bubaneshwar Lingaraj Temple, Shaivite

11th cent AD

Bhubaneshwar began as the Shailodbhava capital in the 7th century; major temple-building

activity continued under the Bhauma Kara (8th century) and Somavamshi (9th-11th century)

dynasties. There are also some later temples, from the Eastern Ganga (12th -14th century)

and Gajapati (14th-15th century) periods.

The large number of well-preserved temples, many with outstanding sculptural decoration,

allow to study the of Hindu temple architecture from the 7th to the 15th century.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11479255http://www.indoarch.org/place.php?placelink=R%3D2%2BS%3D11%2BP%3D90%2BM%3D762http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11479255http://www.indoarch.org/place.php?placelink=R%3D2%2BS%3D11%2BP%3D90%2BM%3D762


16/23

One of Orissa's most famous temples, Lingaraja Temple, draws both pilgrims and tourists to

Bhubaneshwar. The Shiva shrine was built around 1000 A.D.

Photo byJames P. Blair, Nat. Geographic

Konark Surya Temple

1258 AD

Photo by Galen-Frysinger
http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/wallpaper/india_lingaraja-temple.htmlhttp://galen-frysinger.com/http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/wallpaper/india_lingaraja-temple.htmlhttp://galen-frysinger.com/


17/23

The astonishing Surya temple at Konarak was built by King Narasimha I (1238-1264) of the

Eastern Ganga dynasty as an offering, it is said, to commemorate the king's military

victories, greatness, and piety. Konarak had long been a center of sun worship, which is rare

in India. Even in its present badly eroded state the temple exudes grandeur in its size, its

design concept, and in the detail and excellence of its carvings. Its enormous sanctuary

tower collapsed in the 19th century; its large pyramidal roof covers only the temple's

jagamohan, or entrance hall. The sanctuary tower was about twice as tall.

The temple faces east It was conceived as the chariot of the Sun God, Surya, carried upontwelve pairs of wheels representing the months, and drawn by seven horses representing the

days of the week The idea of a temple as the chariot of its god is not unique to Konarak,

although this is certainly the most splendid example

One of the better preserved wheels on the west side.

Surya riding on a horse


18/23


19/23


20/23

Photo Wikipedia

Guwahati Kamakhya Temple Tantric

1565

Tantric Shakti Temple to Durga Kamakhaya in Guwahati, Assam

Photo Panoramio

The Kamakhya Temple is a shakti temple situated on the Nilachal Hill in western part of

Guwahati city in Assam, India. It is the main temple in a complex of individual temples

dedicated to different forms of the mother goddess as the Dasa Mahavidya, including

Bhuvaneshvari, Bagalamukhi, Chinnamasta, Tripura Sundari and Tara. It is an important

pilgrimage destination for general Hindu and Tantric worshipers.

The current temple structure was constructed in 1565 by Chilarai of the Koch dynasty in the

style of medieval temples. The beehive middle chamber leads to the sanctum sanctorum of

the temple in the form of a cave, which consists of no image but a natural underground

spring that flows through a yoni-shaped cleft in the bedrock. During the Ambuvaci festival

each summer,the menstruation of the Goddess Kamakhya is celebrated. During this time, the

water in the main shrine runs red with iron oxide resembling menstrual fluid.

It is likely that this is an ancient Khasi sacrificial site, and worshiping here still includes

sacrifices. Devotees come every morning with goats to offer to Shakti.

Text Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajgirhttp://www.panoramio.com/photo/5104908http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamakhya_Templehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajgirhttp://www.panoramio.com/photo/5104908http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamakhya_Temple


21/23

Mahoba Chakra Math Temple

16th cent AD?

Mahoba was the capital of the Chandela Rajputs, who ruled Bundelkhand from the 10th to

the 16th centuries.

The ruins of the Chakra Math temple, Chandela 16th cent.

Photo Panoramio

Dakshinkali, Nepal, TantricSanctuary

11th cent AD - present

The Sanctuary of Dakshinkali the ultimate, old-fashioned Southern Kali Shrinesouth of Patan, Nepal

Dakshinkali, one of Nepal's most popular Hindu shrines lies in a lovely valley below Pharping

Kali the giver and taker of life is still celebrated with "red sacrifices" there. The poor bring

roosters, the rich rams, both are being dispatched with a single stroke by a priest, who

stands to his ankles in blood. The decapitated animals are washed, skinned, roasted on open

fires, and eaten by he devotees.

Not for the fainthearted, even Indian Hindus shudder. You will be disappointed, piety kept
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/18411424http://www.panoramio.com/photo/18411424


22/23

me from photographing this precedure.

The sacrifical animals, cocks and rams are being handled by the men.

Women and Brahmins are permitted a gentler offering of throwing flowers into a sacred fire:

The faithful streaming down the stairs to the sanctuary in the valley


23/23

The side show - a Nepali Madonna feeding her baby at Dakhsinkali.

A young girl

Ph RWFG
http://rolfgross.dreamhosters.com/Nepal-Web/NepalText.htmhttp://rolfgross.dreamhosters.com/Nepal-Web/NepalText.htm

Documents

Hindu North India