1/n] An adjunct to the expose of secular drama of UP Tourism by @TIinExile on @AtalaDeviMosque, a contemporary eye-witness account. If one visits as an innocuous 'secular' tourist, no problem to Ms but the moment one starts enquiry they indulge in verbal and on-verbal threats.
2/n] The mosque was constructed after demolishing part of the grandiose Atala Devi temple and altering the balance. Mohammadans can't tolerate the word 'Hindu' even in the 'whitewashed' introduction, was rubbed off. I had written to ASI about it, no reply. Don't know action taken
3/n] The 'shameless liar' plaque falsely tells that city Jaunpur was established by Firoz Shah Tughalaq. If it was so, was the grand temple constructed in an inhabited place to be demolished by invaders? Infact, it was already a flourishing town before overrun by Muslim invaders.
4/n] The temple was built by Vijay Chandra Gaharvad , father of Jay Chandra. Most probably, the name of place is from youthful countenance of Devi Atala, यौवन.In local Bhojapuri dialect, जोबन is still used for bosom of a youthful lady. Devis' bosoms highlight the 'feeding mother'
5/n] This sculpture of a lion pouncing on elephant, similar to that in Konarka (shown in other 2 images), presently installed at quite a distance tells enough about the continuity of temple tradition from Odisha to UP and also about the grandeur of the demolished temple.
6/n] Front elevation of the temple was like famous Teli Ke mandir at Gwalior but Atala Devi temple was much bigger & higher than that. The Shikhara of Garbhagriha was demolished and an ugly dome was added to that. Front Mandap was altered too. Sanatani motifs are still there.
7/n] It is temple inside.
8/n] The vigraha-s of deities were broken and some were heated to extreme to disintegration. Most probably it continued for a very long period.
9/n] The sculptures of divinities were demolished and replaced with ugly Nastaliq writings. Have a look at the new material added and imagine the structure without it and with the side Pratima-s.
10/n] Plinth of the original temple.
11/n] Imagine the grandeur of the #Atala_Devi_Temple before it was vandalised by barbarian #Jihadi Muslims to be converted into an ugly mosque.
n/n] नमश्चण्डिकायै
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