Thread by @wiavastukala

1) Thread on Temples and rare Rock cut sculptures of Kalinjar fort, an invincible fort of Bundelkhand, guardian of Dakshinapatha
" One of the nine holy places in Northern India. (Renuka, Sukara, Kasi, Kali, Kala, Bateswarah, Kalanjara, Mahakala, Ukhala Kirttnah)". - Padma Purana

2) Nilakantha temple is partially Rock cut. Garbhagruha is Rock while octagonal Mandapa is structural one. Note ornately carved facade. unlike other temples entrance is square one flanked by guardians. #ReclaimTemples

3)You can see how majestic temple once it was. Details of entrance facade. On the entablature we can see decorative pattern of Ajanta temple(probably a fractal). Note scrollwork and pilastersalso seen in Gupta temples.

4) view of octagonal Mandapa resting on large monolithic pillars having Gandharva(s) holding different musical instruments.

5)Great Nilakantha: Shivalingam is having bluish hue and remains always moist regardless of season.

6) a) Details of pillar and Dwarapala in the background
b) Mandapa and ruins of temple destroyed by Islamic invaders and British invaders
c) note the scale of construction(it's me meditating in the temple)

Ruins are enough to reminisce the glory of majestic temple.

7) This kunda is built as a second level of same temple and entirely carved out of same bedrock. This is least known Rock cut temple and Kunda. Kunda is famous for medicinal properties and its water never goes dry.

8) another view of same Kunda. You can see the Kunda is carved out of rock. Pillars are square throughout and belongs to Brahmakanta class of pillars.

9)Now let's see Rock cut sculptures of Kalinjar fort

This one is Rock cut sculpture of Sadashiv measuring 28feet in height, of beautiful and soothing proportions unfortunately mutilated badly(by whom you can guess)
Below it is a sculpture of Chamunda/Kali badly mutilated.

10) Life size image of Chamunda/Kali in a dancing posture holding Khatwanga, Shield, sword, axe etc. It is badly mutilated probably during the brief invasion of Babur.

11) a) Narasimha devouring HiranyaKashyapa
b) Saptamatruka panel
Dancing pose of Devi Varahi is adorable. Note Chamunda at the end of panel

12) Ekamukha Shivalingam carved on bedrock unfortunately all mutilated
Devotees praying to Nilakantha Mahadeva, Lord of Devas

13) Beautiful scuplture of Ganesha embedded in wall(during restoration work by pathetic ASI)
In proportions it resembles to the marble Ganesha of Hindu Shahi period, Excavated from Gardez in Afghanistan.

14)Rare Nandi embedded in wall. Here he is shown as four handed and riding on his Vahana Makara which is somewhat unique depiction. Note emotion of Nandi displayed through scuplture. Work of genius indeed.

14) Ruins and more ruins. Mutilated Shivalingam and Amalaka
Amalaka probably adorned Mandapa
Trimurti and panel of Ramayana

16)Shivalingam flanked by Deva(s)
Lakulisha, Bhairava, Muni(s) and Shivalingam
Note the beard of some seer or Sadhana
Also note MahishasuraMardini

17)No invasion could shatter the belief of devotees as beautiful itched on rock. Note his beard and hairstyle
Series of Shivalingam carved above rock cut temple.
Note details of architrave of rock cut temple.

18)Rock cut temples. Original facade is gone. These are hall type of temples without any circumbulation path
Beautifully Shivalingam. Note ornately carved JataMukuta.

19) Sadashiv and MahishasuraMardini (?)
Trimurti(?)
Shikhara of rock cut temple is barrel vaulted much like Parashurameshwar temple of Bhuvaneshwara and 'Teli ka Mandir' of Gwalior fort.

20) Details of rock cut temple
Shiva is shown in sitting pose holding Kumbham and can be mistaken for some Bodhisattva
Sahasralingam(you can count if epithet is correct )
More sculptures from same complex, all mutilated badly.

21) Devotees praying to Gajalakshmi. Note his beard.
Parvati(?)
Devotees praying to Nilakantha with closed eyes. Note his hairdo and trimmed beared.

22) A lone temple ruin standing at Kalinjar Fort, Uttar Pradesh
Dome of the temple is capped with lotus, Kalasha missing.

23) Miniature stone Vimanam(Urushringa) of some ruined temple, Kalinjar fort, Uttar Pradesh
It was probably part of Nilakantha temple. A lot of magnificent Vigraha (sculptures) were smuggled during British occupation.
#ReclaimTemples
#WalkToTemple