Scribd
Upload
109 views3 pages

Magnificient Markanda Group of Temples

The Markanda Group of Temples in Maharashtra date back to between 8-12 AD and are considered architecturally similar to the Khajuraho Temples. The main temple is the Markandadeo Temple, an important pilgrimage site. The temple complex covers 40 acres and includes nearly 24 smaller temples dedicated to various Hindu deities. Historians believe the temples were influenced by architectural styles of Central India, Gujarat, Malwa and Karnataka. However, many of the temples have fallen into disrepair from natural disasters and human damage. The Archaeological Survey of India recently began restoration work to conserve the nationally important monument.

Uploaded by

Almighty Vegeta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
109 views3 pages

Magnificient Markanda Group of Temples

The Markanda Group of Temples in Maharashtra date back to between 8-12 AD and are considered architecturally similar to the Khajuraho Temples. The main temple is the Markandadeo Temple, an important pilgrimage site. The temple complex covers 40 acres and includes nearly 24 smaller temples dedicated to various Hindu deities. Historians believe the temples were influenced by architectural styles of Central India, Gujarat, Malwa and Karnataka. However, many of the temples have fallen into disrepair from natural disasters and human damage. The Archaeological Survey of India recently began restoration work to conserve the nationally important monument.

Uploaded by

Almighty Vegeta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Magnificient Markanda Group of Temples

India’s diverse culture, history and exceptional architecture


are reflected on the temple walls. With the rise of Hinduism,
India witnessed the establishment of numerous temples
dedicated to various deities of the Hindu patheon.

Based upon sculptural grandeur and architectural


resemblance of Khajuraho Temples in Madhya Pradesh, several
scholars and historians designate Markanda Group of Temples
in Chamorshi tehsil, Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra as
“Khajuraho of Vidarbha”. The temple built in Hemadpanthi
style of architecture dates back to 8-12 AD and is situated on
the left bank of Wainganga river.The temple complex is
spread over 40 acres of land. The main shrine in the group is
the temple of Markandadeo which is an important pilgrimage
centre in Vidarbha. Markanda derives its name from
Markandeya Maharshi who is said to have come to this
sacrosant place to seek blessings of Lord Mahadev. Along with
Markandeshwara, the other temples – Nandikeshwara,
Markundeshwara, Mrityunjaya, Yamadharma and Dasavatara
are small and elegant. However, most of these temples appear
to be in dilapidated condition. Many of them were damaged by
either natural disasters or human vandalism. The cluster of
temples (nearly 24) of various sizes grouped around the
central Markandadeo are enclosed in a quadrangle. The
construction of Markanda temple is accredited with the
Rashtrakuta dynasty. Rashtrakuta 3rd Govinda might have
constructed temples’ of Markanda.The temples stand as an
embodiment of the finest traditions of sculptural and
architectural art of Vidarbha region. It provides a visual
record of the medieval Indian world view. According to a
popular folklore, the temple was built by boon of Vibhishana,
brother of Ravana to Hemadapant, the head secretariat of
Yadavas.
Historians have informed that the architects of the temples
were influenced by the temple styles prevailing in Central
India, Gujarat, Malwa and Karnataka. The carvings on the
temple walls consists of various Gods and Goddess orante with
various ornaments. The courtyard of the temple is famous in
the world for images of ladies engrossed in dance action.The
sculpture of Goddess Saraswati with six arms with a lotus
flower, rosary playing upon a musical instrument, manuscript, a
fruit could be observed. Experts say that the totalstatues
counted so far are said to be 409. The temple of Dasavatara (
ten incarnations of Vishnu)is an open cloister, placed against
western wall of the main closure. It is divided into twelve
compartments by pilasters , two of divisions being probably
intended for statues of Vishnu and remaining ten for
“Avatars”. Besides the temples there are several curious old
square pillars. Nearly all of them are sculpted and some of
them are inscribed. Thev chief figures are soldiers, armed
with battle axe bows and quiver fall of arrows in an attitude
of attack. These temples were first noticed by General Sir
Alexander Cunnigham. The documentation made by him stated
that the shikhara of the main temple and mahamandapa had
been stuck by lightning which disfigured and damaged the
both portions of the monument two centuries ago. One of the
Gond Kings had repaired roof of the hall adding huge pierswith
radiating arches inside the principle rooms to support the
structure.

However, it has been a neglected monument since


independence. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),
which is the custodian of cultral heritage, ancient monuments
and archaeological sites, too didn’t do much to conserve the
temple until about a few months back.The ASI, Nagpur circle,
has recently undertaken a massive conservation project of
architectural restoration of the monument of national
importance. The conservation work of the dilapidated Sikhra
and the entire Garbhagriha of main temple was started by
ASI in January 2016. The rejuvenation work is expected to be
completed within a year. It is expected to only maintain the
monument in “as and where” and prevent it from further
deterioration. For Markandeshwar, sandstones have been
brought from a quarry in Dholpur in Rajasthan, craftsmen and
labours from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were brought.
Also Gadchiroli being part of infamous Red Corridor, Maoists
poses a big challenge.

- Chanchal Mantri

You might also like