Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/tz9-n4nxPfM
Narayan Pal Temple, Bastar
Location: “Narayanpal
Vishnu Mandir, Narayanpal, Chhattisgarh”
References:
https://bastar.gov.in/en/tourist-place/narayanpal-temple/
https://unexploredbastar.com/archeological-heritage-temple-of-bastar/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narayanpal_Temple
https://puratattva.in/narayanpal-vishnu-mandir/
Narayanpal is a village in
the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. It is situated on the east bank of the
River Indravati. In the south of the town, Indravati meets the River
Narangi, forming a confluence. The village is known for its Vishnu Temple,
which has survived with all its components intact. It is one of the most
important temples in Bastar because of its octagonal mandapa and high Nagara latina shikhara.
Narayanpal temple is
well-known for its cultural, historical and spiritual value in the heritage of
Bastar. North-western side to Jagdalpur, connected to Chitrakote waterfalls, a
village named Narayanpal, is situated on the other bank of river Indravati.
This village has an ancient magnificent Vishnu temple that was constructed 1000
years ago and is a beautiful archetype of architecture. The Vishnu Temple is
established near the confluence of rivers Indravati and Narangi and it dates
back to 11th century. Nearby Vishnu temple, a small village got named as
Narayanpur after the establishment of temple, meanwhile, it came to be known as
Narayanpal.
Contemporary to the
Khajuraho Temple of India, Narayanpal temple is the only temple in the whole
Bastar district where the idol of Lord Vishnu is ingrained. Built by
Mumundadevi, the queen of Chindak dynasty, Narayanpal temple has the influence
of Chalukya style of architecture.
The only
Vishnu Temple of Bastar district, Narayanpal Temple near Chitrakote Waterfalls
is an architectural beauty dated back to 11th century. It was constructed
during the Nagvanshi era.
The temple is situated in the village of Narayanpal, about 4
kilometers east of the reputed Chitrakote
Falls. The temple was built around 1111 AD by Mumunda Devi, a
queen of the Chindaka Naga dynasty. It was built in the Nagara style of Hindu temple
architecture and influenced by the Chalukya style
as well. The inscriptions present at the temple are written in
the Devanagari script.The
inscription details a land
grant to a 'Lokeswar' by Gunda Mahadevi, the queen-mother of
the Chindaka Naga dynasty.
The temple is constructed
over a high jagati and
faces east. It consists of a rectangular garbhagrha, antarala,
and mandapa. The
temple is constructed in the Nagara style with a curvilinear shikhara (tower)
crowned with an amalaka and kalash. It features a garbhagriha (sanctum),
antarala (vestibule), and a distinct octagonal mandapa. It is a
1,000-year-old, ASI-protected monument and the only shrine in the Bastar
district dedicated to Lord Vishnu. An inscription in Devanagari script dating
back to 1111 AD confirms the date and the land grants made by the royal family.
Stone pilasters at the
four corners of the garbhagrha support
its octagonal ceiling. The antarala is
a rectangular chamber with a pyramidal roof above The mandapa is a closed octagonal
hall with transepts in its north and south. It has sixteen stone pillars
resting on the inner parapet walls, supporting its ceiling, consisting of
concentric circles with reduced diameter as you move up. Mandapa doorway has plain
jambs. Ganesha is present on the lalata-bimba.
The corresponding sculptures on the left and right terminals are missing, and
there are empty cavities. The garbhagrha doorway
has three shakhas (jambs).
All the shakhas are
decorated with floral and foliage designs. Ganesha is present on the lalata-bimba. Sarasvati is present
on the left terminal of the lintel, and the image on the right terminal is
mutilated, and is probably of Gaja Lakshmi. A four-armed Vishnu image is
installed inside the garbhagrha. The status is made of black stone. Vishnu
carries shankha (conch)
and chakra (discus)
in his upper arms, and his lower arms are damaged. He stands below a five-hood
serpent canopy with claims that the images were installed later.
The vimana follows sapta-ratha design and
has adhishthana, jangha, and shikhara. The adhishthana has multiple
moldings. The jangha is
divided into two tiers of exact sizes. Niches are provided on all the rathas, but these are empty now.
Like jangha, the kapili also has niches in two
tiers. Only a single niche has an image, the upper niche on the southern kapili wall. The image is of
Ganesha standing holding a parashu.
The shikhara is
a nagara latina curvilinear tower. Its
tiers are demarcated with bhumi-amalakas on
the karna-ratha of
each tier. Four images of yogis, one image in each of four directions, are
placed below the griva of
the shikhara. Above
the griva are amalaka, stupi, and kalasa, all survived in their
original state.