TEMPLEARCHITECTURE

OFJHARKHAND

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIARANCHI CIRCLE, RANCHI·834001

Ph. :2331369

India has a rich and varied cultural heritage and naturaltreasures of exceptional value. Archaeological Survey ofIndia (ASI), one of the oldest academic organisations inIndia is widely acknowledged for its technical expertisein conserving monuments. It has been entrusted withthe responsibility of protecting monuments and sites,which range from the prehistoric to the medieval period.

ASI, over a passage of time, has extended itsactivities to include exploration/excavations,development of museums, temples and expeditions. Infact since 1972, the department has been involved inadministering the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act,through prevention of smuggling and fraudulentdealings in antiques.

As of today, 17 ancient monuments in India havebeen declared as World Heritage Sites and inscribed ascultural property of mankind by the UNESCO.

The main objective of the ASI, is to explore, findout and protect India's PAST:Pratnakirttimapavranu.

From historical fact, the dynasties like theNagavanshi, the Cheras, the Rajputs of Singhbhum, theDhol Rajputs of Ghatsila, and Rajputs of Manbhum, andsome feudal lords constructed temples for the public andprivate worship. However, the neighbourig states likeOrissa and Bengal had its own temple architecturaltradition; so in many ways, the temples of Jharkhandhave been influenced by these architectural styles.

The temples of Jharkhand have beenfunctioning as religious institutions from yore. Thegroup of temples at Maluti in east; Baba Baidyanathgroup of temples, Deoghar in North;, group of templesat Doisagarh in west and Lord Jagannath temple inJagannath Pahadi, Ranchi has bestowed religiousmovement in different sectrarian points of views.

The first group of temples has followedOrissan style of architecture; basically, the temples ofJharkhand have the main shrine or deul without MukhaMandapa. The typical curvilinear sikhara are succeedingwith Bhumi-Amlakas. The Rath's projections areprominent and the exterior wall is carved withgeometrical design of Chaitya window motif, BhumiAmlakas, etc.,whereas the interior is quite plain innature.

Human race is an integral part of nature, and man hasaccommodated himself within it. The natural calamitieslike fire, flood, rain, earthquake, etc. has created a fearin the minds of the primitive men. So they admired thepower of the nature as a God or super natural spirit, fromwhich the belief and thus the totem symbol worshipcame into existence. Generally it has got a set-up ofbeliefs and practices and then the existence of thereligion got enforced. As abode of this super spirit, theDevalaya or Temples came into existence.

Devalaya or temple is the place of the God. InHindu tradition, devotees build the temple as a mark ofdedication in order to secure merit in this world and thenext. The temple is not a mere house of prayer, but it's a"Vastupurusa"

Unlike other States the present Jharkhand hasseveral groups of temples, which spread its religiousaroma and signified its beauty through stones ingeometric and non-geometric carvings, which areindeed a milestone for Jharkhand architectural scenario.

The development of temple architecture inJharkhand has three phases which can be divided intothree broad groups, i.e., Naqara, Bengal or HinduMughal, and indigenous horizontal tier systems.

HARADIH GROUP OF TEMPLESHARADIH, BUNDU, RANCH IThe Haradih group of Temples (Dist.

Ranchi). The group of temple is situated 15 KM east ofBundu, beside the river Kanchi. This group of templesbelongs to 9th-10th Centuries AD Possibly these templesin Jharkhand closely resemble the evolved group ofOrissan temple architecture. These temples are madeout of basalt stone. Big temples have niches specifiedfor Parivara Devata; presently only two temples havesurvived whereas others are in ruins.

ANCIENT SHIVA TEMPLEKHEKPARTA, LOHARDAGA

The Khekparta Temple (Distt. Lohardaga) isa pancharatha type, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It hasmedium height with typical Orissan rekha-deul styledecorated with chaitya window or "bhu motif " asdescribed in Orissan architectural canon.

ASTHABHUlA DURGA TEMPLEDEORI, RANCHI

The Durga temple of Deori (Distt. Ranchi) isanother important Orissan style temple, partlydamaged. It is of panchratha in plan and elevation hassucceeded with Bhumi- Amlaka and chaitya Windowmotif design. The temple presiding deity is "Asthabhuja"Durga, carved in well plasticity. This temple is belongingto 11th-12th Centuries AD.

TANGINATH TEMPLEGUMLA

decoration and the lintel has Ganesh figure; both thesides of door jam Ganga and Yamuna figures are carvedin well plasticity. The temple and its surroundingantiques are dated back to 7th-12th Centuries AD.

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UUP CHUTIA TEMPLENIRSA, DHANBAD

The Upp Chutia Group of temples, Nirsa(Distt. Dhanbad) has resemblance with Orissan style.Out of this group of temples, two temples are in goodpreserved condition. All these temples are made out ofstone. The exterior design, curvilinear sikhara andpancharatha plan signify Orissan style. The templeswere built during 11th-13th Centuries AD.

AKHILESHWAR TEMPLELOHARDAGA

The main shrine of BhandraTemple, Bhandra(Distt. Lohardaga) is in Orissan style consisting of highplinth. The Amlaka is missing. The shrine contains ahuge Shiva linga of black stone. There are images ofGanga, Yamuna and one of Narasimha. The plasticity,grace and beauty of these river Goddesses are superband can be dated to 11th-12th Centuries AD.

MAHADANI SHIVA TEMPLEBEDO, RANCHI

The Mahadani Shiva Temple, Bedo (Dist.Ranchi) is another Orissan rekha deul of pancharathastyle with small porch. The five Bhumi Amlakas inKanikapaga are succeeding to complete curvilinearsikhara. The antarala passage is converted as mukhamandapa with slight modification, and its sikhara isfollowing the pedha deul style. This temple is made outof laterite stone blocks.

The Tanginath Temple remains (Dist.Gumla) are preserved upto Bado portion, Itsarchitectural features like door jams, moulded lowerjangha and upper jangha signify the Orissanarchitectural style. The door jam is decorated with floral

lHINlHINI PAHADI TEMPLEDHANBAD

The lhinjhini Pahadi Temple (Distt.Dhanbad) is another Shiva temple which hascurvilinear sikhara type. As Ashlar masonry is used inthis temple, the veneering wall may have fallen from itsoriginal super structure. The temple entrance is ofbeautiful design. The architectural style and associatedmaterial signify that this temple is dated back to 11th -12th Centuries AD.

The second group of Temples is markedwith terra cotta plaque decorated profusely of limesurkhi. These have close resemblance with Bengalgroup of temples and Medieval Mughal architecture stylein Jharkhand. The most of Medieval temples cameunder this group.

TERRACOTTA TEMPLEMALUTI, DUMKA

The Maluti group of Temples (Distt. Dumka)fall under the Sikaripara block. The temples areconstructed in different styles with Bengal terracottaplaque decoration and moulded bricks. The existingearliest temple bears the date Saka era 1642(corresponding 1720 AD). The Moulikha templebelongs to the group of Bengal style temples of Ek-Bangia "Chala", like a typical Indian hut. There are 72temples moulded in terracotta plaque, decorated withthe episodes of Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavataand the songs of lokogatha.

PANCHMATHNAGAR, GUMLA

temple). The temple has three storeys; the sikhara partis tomb like structure. The temple has pillared varandahwith room.

SHYAMSUNDARPUR TEMPLECHAKUUA, E. SINGHBHUM

Shyamsunderpur Temple, Chakulia (Distt.East. Singhbhum) is another Bengal Ratna styleterracotta temple. The wide frontal wall is used ascanvas for depicting Krishna Charita, Rasalila andrelated Gods and Goddesses figurines. This temple wasbuilt by Dalbhumgarh dynasty in the 17th -18thcenturies AD.

NAM NAGAR TEMPLENAM NAGAR, GUMLA

Nam Nagar Temple is of flat roof with pillaredvarandah, The sanctum exterior niches has carvedGanesha figure .Few other temples like panchmathshiva temple is of Hindu-Mughal architecture. Besidesthe sanctum, there are two small chambers, used forstore purposes. The wall is plain lime surkhi plaster;sikhara is conical tomb like structure and frontal roof hastwo small tombs like structure which resembles amosque.

CHITTESWARA TEMPLEKAYATHA, HAZARIBAGH

The Chiteswara Temple at Kayatha (DisttHazaribagh) is a culmination of Hindu 'and Mughalarchitecture. The main shrine appears to be of Bengalstyle and bears the influence of Mughal plaster, andcorridors with arches make sure to conclude the datingof this temple to be of 17th century, .

Doisagarh group of Temples is greatlyinfluenced by Mughal architecture. The most Significanttemple of this group is Kapilnath temple (Basukinath

CHUTIA TEMPLERANCHI

The Chutia Temple which is very close toRanchi city, is another example of Hindu-Mughalarchitecture. Raja Pratap Roy built this temple in theyear 1727. This two storey temple is for worshippinglord Krishna and Rama respectively. This temple ismade out of stone,

The third group of monuments is indigenouslydeveloped, slightly pyramidal with tier system. Thisgroup of temple is spread specifically in northJharkhand. This group consists of the Baba Baidyanathtemples group, Deogarh; the Basukinath group oftemples, Jarmundi; Pandra goup of temples, Nirsa;Dhauni Shiva temple, Dumka; and Liloristhan temple,Katras. This temple group has Nagara style; theelevation is slightly pyramidal with finial, The plan is ofslightly cruciform due to Rath's projection.

BABA BAIOYANATH GROUP OF TEMPLESOEOGARH

The Baba Baidyanath group of Templeshas pyramidal tier sikhara with flat roofed mukhamandapa. These entire temples are built out of stoneduring the 16th-19th Centuries AD. The temple ofBaidyanath is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. A separatetwo storeyed building is for Musicans. On the east sideof the northern Varanda of the temple is a masonry vat,into which flow the water and milk used for the ablutionof the lingam.

ULORI STHAN TEMPLEKATRAS,OHANBAO

The Shiva Temple at Dhauni is known asSumeswaranath dham, but is has a group of threetemples. In the main shrine at the centre of sanctum,the small linga on the flat surface is fitted in a Yonipith.Besides the linga, there is a Yakshini image of brass. Inarchitectural features, the sikhara is the pyramidal withhorizontal rekhas or on tier. The main temple is built ofsmall sized bricks (Lakhori bricks) with lime mortar.

Baba Kapileswar Dham, Pandra (distt.Dhanbad) group of temples are in slight curvilinearsikhra in Bengal style with Horizontal tier. These templesare built of stone in 12th-13th Centuries AD.

The Liloristhan Temple (Distt. Dhanbad) isalso horizontal tier system with slightly evolved Rathsin pancharatha, whereas the Mukha Mandapa has flatroof with ornamental pillar and multiple curvilineararches.

Apart from the above three groups of temples,the post British period also followed the same Nagarastyle architecture. Last but not least, in the modernIndia, Jharkhand has a stone temple - Naulekha temple-at Deogarh which is artistically and architecturally veryimportant.

However, apart from tribal culture Jharkhand isa vast land for art and architecture as it had spreadreligious values since 7th-8th Centuries AD.

PANORA GROUP OFTEMPLES

NIRSA, OHANBAO

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