Archaeological twin found in Rajouri
Famous Martand like temple found in Rajouri
Jammu: The famous Martand like temple recently found in Rajouri district and considered to be the earliest one of Jammu region, has finally attracted the much needed attention of State Government, which is going to declare it as State Protected Monument to prevent its further plunder.
After the declaration of this earliest temple of Jammu as State Protected Monument, the number of historical monuments being preserved by the State Archeology Department will go beyond 37.
Besides this temple, the Government is also in the process of declaring Bamiyan like Buddha in Kargil district, Rajouri Fort, Mughal Wall around Hari Parbhat Fort, historical mosque at Jaffar Chak near Domana in Jammu, ancient Hamam near Mulla Akhoon Shah mosque at Srinagar, as State Protected Monuments.
This earliest temple of the Jammu, which resembles like famous Martand temple in Kashmir valley, is situated in Panjnara village of the Kalakote tehsil in Rajouri district and is entirely different from all other temples in the region thus assuming great importance. This temple was noticed during survey and documentation of historical sites in the State.
According to former Director General, State Archives and Archaeology Department and Consultant to Government, Khursheed Ahmed Qadri, the style and other architectural characters of the temple resemble with famous and early ancient temples of Kashmir like Sun Temple Martand in Anantnag, group of temples at Naranag in Kangan, Awantiswami Temple at Awantipora and Buniyar Temple in Baramulla dating between 8th to 12th century AD.
Like early Kashmir temples, this temple, although in ruins, has a central shrine enclosed by peristyle and Havan Kund. The entrance of the temple is assessed through a large double-chambered gateway.
The main temple stands on 14.6 feet high double terraced plinth. The whole structure is measuring 126 feet by 174 feet while as its 63 meditation cells are measuring 7 by 5 feet each. All these compartments were being used for meditation purposes.
Disclosing that this temple is entirely different from all other ancient temples of the Jammu region and is the earliest one, Mr Qadri said that the poor quality of a friable sand stone unable to withstand the seasonal temperature changes and some major earthquake have reduced the relief carvings including the figurative works mention of the shrine”.
However, after a thorough search the highly weathered bust of a female figure most probably of a Gandharva, a figure of a bird (peacock) and few lotus designs have been found.
Likewise, the inner walls of the doubled chambered entrance carries highly weathered relief carving of a miniature temple of Kashmiri style with double tent roof as also found in Sun Temple Martand in Kashmir.
The use of huge stone slabs measuring up to 10 feet long reveals that the shrine construction must have involved large number of stone cutters, sculptors, masons and carriers to build this temple over a period of years.
Mr Qadri said that this temple would help in establishing the missing links in the ancient history. However, it requires further research/ excavations, which would throw light upon its exact period and name of the builder (ruler).
The earliest temple of the Jammu region was recently visited by Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora, his deputy, Nasir Aslam Wani and Consultant, Khursheed Ahmed Qadri to assess its historical and architectural importance.
(Daily Excelsior)