A stunning example of 10th – 11th century temple architecture of the Kalachuris of Tripuri also known as Kalachuris of Chedi is the Shiva Temple located in the remote Ganiyari village in Bilaspur district. This east – facing temple located in front of a lake has the most charming sculptures of its time adorning the main door.
This centuries – old temple built on a low platform is in a state of disrepair with only a part of the antarala and garbha griha in good condition. This temple might have had a pillared porch and even a mukha mandapa but unfortunately, time and weather have not been kind to this once – magnificent edifice.
The sanctum sanctorum is square in plan designed as a pancharatha. The shikhara has totally disappeared along with a greater part of the external facades. The shikhara most likely would have conformed with the Nagara style of architecture.
The entrance doorway is however an artistic and architectural masterpiece with elaborately designed panels, tiers, bands, figures and motifs. The door jambs have three distinct bands on either side of dvarapalakas, Ganga and Yamuna on their respective vahanas. There is a panel of elephants on the right and a Shiva Linga on the left in the bottom.
The lowest part of the main entrance has floral motifs in repetition along with some other figures that are unrecognizable. On either side of the main door are carvings inset in miniature niches in the innermost band, interlocked circular design in the middle and foliage pattern in the outermost.
Floral and geometric patterns and auspicious Hindu iconography are found on either side of the entrance doorway. The lintel has carvings of the Navagrahas, dancing Ganesha and Parvati Devi. Gajalakshmi is seated in the Lalata Bimba while Bhagawan Nataraja and Garuda are seen above the central figure.
A Shiva Linga has been consecrated in the sanctum sanctorum along with idols of Bhagawan Surya on his chariot with Usha and Pratyusha, Bhagawan Ganesha, Bhagawan Vishnu, Bhagawan Nataraja and others that are of great antiquity.
The northern façade has Bhagawan Ganesha, Bhagawan Surya and Bhagawan Parvati seated in the niches.
Written by Lakshmi Subramanian
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