Himachal Temples & The Bengal Connection: Why Temples of Mandi, Kullu Resemble Their Bengal Counterparts

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The purposes and science behind the building of a Hindu temple as given in our sastras is now mostly a forgotten chapter in the minds of a common Hindu. Why does one visit temples besides performing the regular worship is a question that rarely occurs in one's mind, yet, in the answer, lies the very basic essence of Hinduism: Moksha. Our temple visits are all aimed at union with the Supreme Consciousness, which is attaining moksha; the sculptures we see on our ancient and medieval temples helping us in the journey. The book aims at trying to explain some of these forgotten ancient philosophies behind the Hindu temples, their architecture, and temple iconography.

Exploring the wonderful blend of folk culture and Hinduism in Himachal Pradesh, the book also explores the connection between Himachal and Bengal temples. Scattered across Kullu and Mandi Valleys are temples bearing similarities with the medieval Pala and Sena era temples in the Eastern state. What was that connection?

Monidipa Dey is a freelance writer a regular guest columnist with The Financial Express, Firstpost, and The Daily Guardian, Bonikbarta (an Assam daily), Goti Doinik (a Bangladesh daily). She has a published peer reviewed paper on Vaishnavism by the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA) in their UGC journal Kalakalpa. She has also written for various other magazines, such as the in-house magazine for the Indian Railways, Rail Bandhu. She writes on ancient Indian history, heritage, and culture; while her preferred topic is Indian temple architecture and iconography.

She believes in spreading knowledge and creating awareness amongst the common people on the richness of Indian heritage through her writings. Her vision is to make history a subject that everybody would love and revere, instead of keeping it shackled within the closed circuits of history academicians. She also loves to travel to remote parts of India and have a firsthand account of unexplored historical treasures-such as, Pala Era temples in Himachal, or the often-ignored temples within the Gwalior Fort, and many more. She blogs at "Moni-gatha" with the same purpose of spreading awareness on Indian temple history and iconography.

The book explores the meaning of a Hindu temple as per the scriptures and what is its meaning in the daily life of a Hindu, while taking a brief look at the Vastu Sashtra that is followed in building a Hindu temple. It also gives an insight into the basics of a Hindu temple architecture, discussing its various parts, and the iconography and meanings behind some of the common sculptures seen in our ancient and medieval era temples. In the later part, it explores the Himalayan temples found in the Mandi city and Kullu Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh. These two areas were once ruled by royal scions of two powerful dynasties, Pala and Sena, that had arrived in this hilly area after partly losing their seats of power in Bengal. The ancient and medieval temples of Himachal Pradesh show some common characteristics with the few remaining old stone temples of Bengal and have been an intriguing factor for long.

Architecture is the most prominent route for the historians to discern how the society of the subjected period lived. Every building and creation (say architecture) of past have a story to narrate. And when we investigate the Mandirs, retrospect and dwell deeper, story of one of the most advanced civilization begin to open more and more. Like how the author has pointed it very clearly that it was not "just" the place of "religious rites," and she invokes the deep philosophies which made them be the way they were. If, I am permitted to add a bit on this note, I'll expand by saying that the Mandirs were the place of Dharmik observance but not the Religious. Having said so, it becomes imperative to put out what exactly I intend by bringing this bold line of difference.

It is the kriya to observe the Sanatan Dharma, which is impossible to be dated as Sivapurana 2.2.16 & 2.2.42 do spell it out to be "eternal" & "imperishable." One may ask why it, but not any other aspect, ever be "eternal?" The short answer to this would be that "eternal" can't be questioned for its eternality. But going in detail the explanation would be as below:

Often, it signifies the duties which takeaway thoughts from the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Itihasas, Bhagavad Gita etc. The Civilization of Bharata existed when there was not much around with diverse geography to buttress the giantess what it would gain with time. The complexities of nature were not simple takeaway given the diverse topography and geography around. People observed the diversity, and diverse treatise, and literature began to be created. They observed the Sky, the sequences of stars, constellations, the movement of winds etc.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages