Kiramchi is a small village in Udhampur district. It lies at a distance of 12 kms north of Udhampur on Udampur-Lander road and 67 kms from Jammu, datable perhaps to circa 8th and 9th century AD. The complex consists of five temples and two small shrines. This valley midst green mountains is located at an elevation of 730 m above the sea level. Two rivulets namely Birunala and Kiramchi are draining this area.
Local Tradition and Historical Background:
The local tradition says that in the past it was a halting place on Jammu - Kashmir trade route through Banihal. According to the legendary accounts, Raja Kichak, a contemporary of Pandavas of Mahabharata was responsible for laying the foundation of this place. Another tradition, says that Kiramchi was capital of Bhuti, which has been one of the principalities of Jammu region under the successors of Daya Karan, a ruler of Kashmir. According to Diwan Narsingh Dass Nargis the descendents of Daya Karan ruled for many centuries and their dynasty is known as Bhutials.As per tradition the last ruler of this dynasty named 'Himmat Singh' and ultimately Bhuti was given to Raja Gulab Singh. Thus Bhuti was added to Jammu region in 1834 AD.
Architecture:
the group of temples at Kiramchi has been built over an elevated terrace of Birunala. The temple no. 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7 are built on the common raised platform whereas the temple no. 4 is built on a still higher platform and temple no. 5 is built on a lower level as compared to other temples.
The temples on plan are consisting of a garbhagriha with curvilinear shikhara and an elongated antarala with a sukhanasika, decorated with kutashikhara and kalasha. Some of the temples have a pillared mandapa in front of the antarala, which appears to have been added later on while the temple no. 2 has an intact mandapa. All the other temples are survived with the remnants of mandapa. Garbhagriha of the temples are built either triratha or pancharatha on plan externally and square internally. The shikhara is surmounted by a big amalaka and kalasha. Generally the pillars are fluted and decorated with purnaghata pot and foliage design.
Chronologically, the temple no. 3 marks the beginning of the architectural activity at Kiramchi. It seems to be the oldest and the smallest structure, consisists of square, but externally triratha on plan. Its garbhagriha has a pyramidal roof and antarala with a wagon vaulted roof internally. It is followed by a temple no. 2, more elaborated on plan and higher in elevation. Its mandapa is entered through trefoil arch an impact of Kashmir temple architecture. It is presumed that it has a pyramidal roof.
The temple no. 6 and 7 are survived with only plinth. The temple no. 4 marked the developed stage of the temple at Kiramchi as it shows niches for the parsavadevatatas and door designs on the antarala. A chance discovery has revealed that temple no. 4 stands on an earlier brick structure datable to post-Gupta period. The pillars of the temple no. 5 shows remnant of sculptures most probably representing river goddesses. The temple no. 1 is most developed and elaborately ornamented. It depicts large size mouldings, niches for astha-dikpalas and saptamatrikas in addition to parsavadevatas.
Architecturally these temples belong to Nagara north Indian style of architecture. In addition, the larger regional Himalayan influence and a little Kashmiri temple architectural element is also noticed here.
At present there is no sculpture of gods and goddesses enshrined in these temples. During the course of trial excavation carried out by ASI a number of terracotta figurines, copper coins, iron arrow-heads, beads of semi-precious stones, pestles, querns and earthen pots were found. Beside a hearth, brick platform datable to late-Gupta period was also noticed.
Local Tradition and Historical Background:
The local tradition says that in the past it was a halting place on Jammu - Kashmir trade route through Banihal. According to the legendary accounts, Raja Kichak, a contemporary of Pandavas of Mahabharata was responsible for laying the foundation of this place. Another tradition, says that Kiramchi was capital of Bhuti, which has been one of the principalities of Jammu region under the successors of Daya Karan, a ruler of Kashmir. According to Diwan Narsingh Dass Nargis the descendents of Daya Karan ruled for many centuries and their dynasty is known as Bhutials.As per tradition the last ruler of this dynasty named 'Himmat Singh' and ultimately Bhuti was given to Raja Gulab Singh. Thus Bhuti was added to Jammu region in 1834 AD.
Architecture:
the group of temples at Kiramchi has been built over an elevated terrace of Birunala. The temple no. 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7 are built on the common raised platform whereas the temple no. 4 is built on a still higher platform and temple no. 5 is built on a lower level as compared to other temples.
The temples on plan are consisting of a garbhagriha with curvilinear shikhara and an elongated antarala with a sukhanasika, decorated with kutashikhara and kalasha. Some of the temples have a pillared mandapa in front of the antarala, which appears to have been added later on while the temple no. 2 has an intact mandapa. All the other temples are survived with the remnants of mandapa. Garbhagriha of the temples are built either triratha or pancharatha on plan externally and square internally. The shikhara is surmounted by a big amalaka and kalasha. Generally the pillars are fluted and decorated with purnaghata pot and foliage design.
Chronologically, the temple no. 3 marks the beginning of the architectural activity at Kiramchi. It seems to be the oldest and the smallest structure, consisists of square, but externally triratha on plan. Its garbhagriha has a pyramidal roof and antarala with a wagon vaulted roof internally. It is followed by a temple no. 2, more elaborated on plan and higher in elevation. Its mandapa is entered through trefoil arch an impact of Kashmir temple architecture. It is presumed that it has a pyramidal roof.
The temple no. 6 and 7 are survived with only plinth. The temple no. 4 marked the developed stage of the temple at Kiramchi as it shows niches for the parsavadevatatas and door designs on the antarala. A chance discovery has revealed that temple no. 4 stands on an earlier brick structure datable to post-Gupta period. The pillars of the temple no. 5 shows remnant of sculptures most probably representing river goddesses. The temple no. 1 is most developed and elaborately ornamented. It depicts large size mouldings, niches for astha-dikpalas and saptamatrikas in addition to parsavadevatas.
Architecturally these temples belong to Nagara north Indian style of architecture. In addition, the larger regional Himalayan influence and a little Kashmiri temple architectural element is also noticed here.
At present there is no sculpture of gods and goddesses enshrined in these temples. During the course of trial excavation carried out by ASI a number of terracotta figurines, copper coins, iron arrow-heads, beads of semi-precious stones, pestles, querns and earthen pots were found. Beside a hearth, brick platform datable to late-Gupta period was also noticed.
No comments:
Post a Comment