Six armed Lord Ganesha dancing. Chinnkeshava Temple, Karnataka, 13th CE.....by k j s chatrath

 

Six armed Lord Ganesha dancing. Chinnkeshava Temple, Karnataka, 13th CE; photo: kjschatrath.November 2024

Our heritage is crying for care....................reminds K J S Chatrath

 

Photos of Ganesha idols photographed by me in various temples in India......................by K J S Chatrath

 

 I am working on a coffee table book of Ganesha idols photographed by me in various temples in India. Suggestions/help would be welcome.

Caring for our heritage Warangal Fort, Kakitaya Kala Thoranam..................by K J S Chatrath

 

Some Old broken Hindu Heritage Temples of India crying for care.........kjs chatrath

 Arthuna

Badoli Temples Rajasthan

Bansthuni Baran

Batesar

Beejamandal Vidisha

Bhojpur Shiva Temple, MP

Chennakeshava ?

Darusaram Aiteshwara

Gadarmal Temple, Vidisha

Gangaikonda 

Garhi Padavali

Ghadgach

Ghanpur

Hindola Toran

Hirapur 64 Yogini

Jain Temple Group, Vidisha

Kakanmath

Kangra Fort

Katakashpur

Leepakshi ?

Maladevi Temple, Vidisha

Menal

Mitavali

Musroor Rock Cut Temples

Nageshwara Temple Remnants

Nareshwar

Neelakatheswar Temple, Vidisha

Ranipur-Jharial

Warangal Fort

Visiting the Archeological Survey of India site museum at Bejamandal, Vidisha...............................shares K J S Chatrath

              This is how I am spending my old age- keeping myself away from politics and religion.

Broken temple pieces of Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram

 As a part of my self-propelled endeavor to visit & photograph some lesser known broken/dilapidated heritage Hindu temples across India, I had visited the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram a few months back. A large number of broken pieces are lying around in the large compound. 

These broken temple pieces are the historical remnants of severe damage inflicted during medieval-era invasions from the Deccan. Built in the 12th century by Chola emperor Rajaraja II, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was originally a much vaster complex that suffered significant destruction.

·        The Ruined Rajagopuram (Main Entrance): The outermost seven-tiered walls and the main entry tower were completely destroyed, leaving only a tower less base, scattered pillars, and chopped stone structures.

·        The Outer Courtyard: The second enclosure wall was almost entirely leveled. The open courtyards house fragments of broken friezes, unattached pillars, and chipped bas-reliefs.

·        Vandalized Sculptures: A few empty wall niches and damaged idols, including chopped carvings of deities and structural elements, can be seen across the exterior.

 The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has painstakingly managed the site since 1954. They have reassembled portions of the ruined eastern entrance and safeguard fragile elements, like the famous musical steps, under protective metal grilles to prevent further deterioration.  

Still a lot remains to be done as these broken pieces show.........