Manipur - Art, Culture, Heritage @ whatisindia.com

TEMPLES
Manipuri temple art and architecture is basically of Hindu style showing more inclination towards the traditional Hindu building art and architecture of Bengal. There is no existence of any temple and its art relating to the animistic faith of ancient Manipur. The architectural style of Manipuri temples exhibit its basis in the ancestral houses of forest dwellers. The temple construction was done with bamboo. It resembles the Bengal temple style. The parabolic contours in the majority of temples of Manipur are a dominating characteristic. This style is prominently achieved in hut-type temples like that of Mahabali Temple and Nagara styles of Govindajee temple and Tangal temple. There are a few temples on Shikhara style .e.g. Kakching Narsingh Thakur temple, Lord Krishna temple of Krishnampat and Krishna Chandra temple of Kakhing Bazar. Another peculiar style is given to Kamakhya temple of Hiyangthang Lairenbi. This temple reveals the amalgamation of Shikhara and pagoda styles. The style of Sanamahi temple is unique, the polygonal Baptistery type in a Gothic style structure ends with Nagara style, having Amalaka Sila on the top.

The temples are designed on the principle that the main structure, square in plan, its walls vertical but lines and planes (which in most buildings are ordinarily horizontal) in this type are carried across in its front in series of parallel curves, bent in the form of a bow. Such a distinctive application of curves specially effects the form of the roof and its cornice or eave, which in contour are parabolic and clearly inherited from a bamboo framework given this shape in order to throw off heavy monsoon rains.

The site for the temple, earth's terrestrial surface, has to be near the bank of a river or lake or amongst the groves or on a hillock in solitude. The sites for some of the temples in Manipur have been at the places of the capital of the king Patron. Almost all the temples of Manipur are constructed on Brahmanical rules of Vastushastra. Therefore the square plan is taken as the basis. It denotes the Panchratna plan with Brahma in the central position and other gods on the sides. In all temples the material used was brick and mud. The pedestal or the platform is distinctively prominent in all temples of Manipur because the entire valley is a low lying area and in rainy seasons the ground surface gets flooded. All temples in Manipur have the Mandapas. The most artistic point about the Mandapa is the display of the paintings about the love story of Khamba-Thoibi.

The Vishnu Temple of Bishanpur
The temple is situated at the Bishanpur town. It was built by the king Kyamba during 1507 AD. It is the oldest temple of Manipur. The entire structure is made of good quality brick and mud plaster. The pedestal consists of a series of five brick layers in concentric arrangement. The lowest layer starts on 1-2 inches high platform. The brick layers at corners towards the portico and the staircases have been oriented to make a parallel turn in such a manner that these form a nice coherency of brick layers in niches. The temple body over its pedestal is in two storeys, the lower sanctum cube, lower Jangha and the upper sanctum cube, the upper Jangha. The porch in front reaches up to a cornice in its height. The cornice forms a beam of five layers of bricks stepping out a ascending order from the point of the vertical alignment and similarly five brick layers stepping back in descending order again to the point of the vertical alignment, between the upper and the lower sanctum. All three walls of the east, the north and the west have corbelled arch. Below each corbelled arch is a window made to form three slits by placing two bricks longitudinally at a parallel distance. The facade is facing south. Above the cornice is the four-walled upper sanctum cube. There are two false windows on each side. On the southern wall there is a single long rectangular and half-way perforated window. The solidity of the interior walls block the holes. Therefore the holes do not serve the purpose of providing light to the sanctum hall. The roof above the upper Jangha is constructed in parabolic style and formed into a domelike structure by semicircular arches which converge at the base of the protuberance on the top.

The sanctum hall is square and it opens to the portico through a door opening. The Garbha Griha is provided with three windows on east, north and west sides. Internally each window is a square opening out through three slits to form the windows of the corbelled arch. The walls of the sanctum hall are straight up to the point of the neck by perpendicular stepping up of the courses of brick layers. The entrance of the shrine is through two plasters of a rectangular opening which carries a corbelled arch with niches and achieved through fourteen courses of brick layers.

Shri Hanuman Thakur Temple of Mahabali Forest
The temple is situated in Imphal on the bank of the Imphal river amongst the groves, Mahabali forest. It was built by king Garib Niwaj in the year of 1725 AD. The temple was built in bricks and later a cement coating was given to the entire structure. In front of the temple the Mandapa has been constructed which has shadowed the structure of the main temple. The pedestal of the temple is not visible from outside.

The sanctum cube and the porch walls are raised as a rectangular structure up to the roof. The eastern and western walls have got a triangular window having nine slits. The sanctum cube hall is covered with a dome shaped hemispherical roof. The arches converge at the base of the crown, they are distinctively visible through their raised ridges on the surface of the roof from above. The top of the roof carries a double lotus crown in a criss-cross pattern. The Kalasas are rested over the crown, the uppermost vase carries the pinnacle with Nilchakra. The roof of the porch hall is not dome-shaped but barrel vaulted type. The temple is a hut -type of Bengal style. The stone icon of Hanumanjee is raised on the pedestal wall. It is carved out on a big slab of stone. Hanumanjee is shown in Human form.

The temple reminds us of the spread of Ramanandi cult of Hinduism in Manipur. It is the only temple which was built during the period of Garib Niwaj. After his death the Ramnandi cult also vanished from Manipur. The temple in thus important and a monumental evidence in the religious history of Manipur.

Thangal General Temple of Wangkhai
The temple is situated in Wangkhai locality of Imphal town. It was built by Thangal General in 1879 AD. The temple structure is raised on a distinct platform. The plan of the pedestal is square. The sanctum cube of the internal sanctum and the outer jacket is raised straight up from the base up to the maulding cornice. The outer jacket wall on each side opens out with a rectangular opening to lead in front into four flying steps of staircases. This facilitates the approach to the circumambulatory path or the pradakshna path from any side. The cornice is achieved by stepping outward a few courses of brick layers to make a projection and then making a slant to the projection. The railing is made by alternate spacing and brick wall and finally giving a horizontal brick layer on colonnades gripping the corner salas. The first railing perfectly covers the terrace above the pradakshna path. The second railing is the replica of the lower railing. The octagonal dome is after the second railing. The arches converge at the base of the inverted kalasa placed at the top of the dome. Each arch line can be seen having its ridge line on the dome surface from above.

On the ground at all four corners, there is one temple replica of Bengal hut type on each corner. 'Garbha Griha', the internal sanctum is a square and is surrounded by pradakshna path. The sanctum cube wall internally can be seen reaching up to the dome. The parabolic lines of eight arches start from the last brick layer on the sanctum cube. The ceiling of the circumambulatory path is slightly curved.

Lord Sanamahi Temples
The temple is situated in Imphal town in the first Manipur Rifle Ground. It was patronized by king Kulachandra in 1891. The structure is raised on an octagonal base. The southern side has got flying steps. The facade carries a rectangular door. In the octagonal structure each component wall meets the double cornice. The cornice below and above has got a series arranged in a line over the octagonal structure. The roof structure is in pyramidal Gothic Style. The arches incline at 45 degree to form a tapering octagonal structure which is truncated by Amalaka-sila, on the top, in a form of a circular disc. It carries a pinnacle. A porch is also the eastern side connecting the sanctum hall. Internally the sanctum is octagonal. The temple looks like the Baptistery type, raised as a polygonal structure, with Gothic roof, but ends objectively in a Niagara style by culminating the trunk by Amalaka-sila which further ends with the pinnacle. The structure is made in bricks. There has been a sufficient effort to explore the artistic designs in constructing the structure itself in a peculiar architectural design and by giving a stylizes shape to the double cornice. It is the only temple animistic faith of Manipur which was constructed particularly to enshrine the animistic deity. The temple is also important for its architectural variety. The deity Lord Sanamahi is worshipped in the temple. The rituals are of typical Hindu style. The decoration of deity and puja system is based on Hindu methods. The dress of the priest performing the rituals is indistinguishable from a Hindu priest. The puja performed by the priest daily in morning and evening at appropriate times of Ushakala and Samdhyakala. A weekly puja known as 'Sagalchham' is performed on Tuesday. The annual festival is celebrated at the temple during 'Cheiraoba' which is the annual year festival of Manipur and another annual festival celebrated during September at the temple is called Honjnungha.

Shri Govindjee temple of New Palace
This is the main temple of Manipur. It enshrines the royal deity Shri Govindjee. The temple is situated near the present palace. It was built by king Churachand. The royal deities were shifted from the old Govindjee temple of Kangla palace to this temple on its completion. The surroundings are very suitable for the site of temple. There is a beautiful Vatica (the temple garden), a lake and a big ground with lofty trees in the periphery. The temple structure has been constructed in a palatial form raised on a square and on sufficiently high pedestal. It is the most magnificent and biggest temple of Manipur. In front, it has the portico. It can be considered two celled type, the internal sanctum and the outer jacket with pradakshna path. The internal cell is partitioned by two septica walls. The outer cube and the portico cube are constructed in the form of massive pillars raised at intervals in the arcade system. Above the arch, the walls goes up to the cornice. Above the cornice is the first railing covering the terrace above the circumambulatory path. The first railing is having mini-shrines called salas, one each at the corners. There is no other superstructure over the portico roof after the first railing. The sanctum cube are raised up the terrace of the first railing, right up to the cornice, then the second railing which surrounds the two domes. Externally the sanctum wall does not show any partition but internally the partition walls divide it in to three chambers. Then the two multi-arched domes are raised fro the cornice level /the arches of each dome converge at the base of the crown. The crown carries the Amalika-sila and then the kalasa with long pinnacle with the temple flag. Both the dome surfaces from above are covered with gold plate sheets. The facade is to the east.

The main deity of Govindjee with his consort is placed in the central chamber. Jagannath, Subhadra and Balarama in the northern chamber and Balarama and Krishna in the southern chamber. The chambers are nicely spick and span. The front arcades are provided with curtains. The temple is in Nagra style of Hindu temples. The architectural maturity and richness is reflected through the temple structure. The idol of Lord Govindjee and his consort are made of the special wood and from the left out wood were made the idols of Jagannath, Subhadra and Balarama. The idols are decorated with Muktas on special occasions. Krishna and Balarama idols are made pf plaster and given charming combination of colours. The temple is the centre of religious activities of Manipur. It is now controlled by committee in which some important priests and persons of the town are members. The morning are punctually performed in strict discipline and in ritualistic manner. A music party is permanently engaged to perform music during the prayers. Several special festivals are celebrated in this temple with particular display of Manipuri dances. This temple maintain the social order in Manipur valley.

Leimapokpam Keirungba Temple
The temple is situated in Imphal town in the compound of Manipur State Road Transport Corporation. It is donated by Leimapokpan Keirungba in 1875 AD. It is not in use now. The whole structure of the temple is made in bricks. It is a square cube and appears just rising from the ground level. Its pedestal is not raised above the ground. It is facing south. The facade wall is decorated and in front there is a semicircular arch supported by three pillars on each side. The arch towards its outer extremity is thickened with additional brick layers having hexagonal holes. On either side of the arch stands the replica of shrine with stupi. The cornice is achieved by giving different layers of bricks, by making their courses outward and then giving a slant to the projection with the help of flat bricks. Above the cornice is the railing. The outer jacket cube has got a row of arcades in its eastern and southern walls. There are no arcades in the western walls.

A staircase is provided to it on a raised rostrum having flying steps from both sides and then it leads into the thirteen spiral staircases ending above to open to the terrace of the building. The Garbha Griha is square and the sanctum wall is provided with three doors. The circumambulatory path is approachable through arcades on east and north sides and through the arch gate from the front side.

The floral motifs on the facade wall below the cornice and in the railing show an advancement in art expression. The arrangement of pillars, the archivolt with multifold curves, the geometric modulation of arch holes, the foil arrangement inside arcades etc show an architectural improvement as compared to that of the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century temple construction. This is one of the important monuments of Manipur. The pollution around is the main factor to cause damage to the monument.

Shri Govindajee Temple of Old Palace Kangla
The temple is situated in the old Kangla palace area, now occupied by the Assam Rifles. It was built during the time of king Narasingh in 1847 AD. As a result of the earthquake of March 1868 the structure collapsed. It was then reconstructed by king Chandra Kirti Singh in 1869 AD. At present the Pakhangba, the deity connected with the royal family clan of Ningthauja is worshipped in this temple.

It is built in bricks and is on a raised pedestal. It is two celled, facing east. The facade carries a Verandah with a sturdy system of pillars which support the beam of brick-made cornice. Above the cornice is the first railing just above the Verandah having mini-shrines, salas on each of the corner. The outer jacket wall on all sides is raised up to the cornice and the second railing having mini-shrines, salas one each, at the corner and two arch door openings in the railing connect the Verandah and pradakshna path terrace. The sanctum cube wall is raised right up to the cornice and then the third railings is made, which is the replica of the first and second railings. It also contain salas one each at the corner. From the base of the railings starts the dome, the arches of which converge at the base of the rectangular flat corner on the top.

The sanctum hall is rectangular. There are three holes in the hall floor which are believed to be the caves. The hole on the northern side is called the Laung cave, on the southern side is called the Mangang cave and that on the southern side of western wall is called the Khuman cave. It is believed that the deity appears through these caves. The pradakshna path is on all three sides of south, west and north, between the sanctum cube wall and the outer jacket wall and opens to the Verandah through north and south doors. Architecturally it shows parabolic structure of the dome in Bengal style and the Salas are in atypical Hindu style. The temple has a rectangular base and on the top it culminates with a rectangular crown over the dome. The railing decoration is in Islamic style. It can be considered as an amalgamation of Hindu and Islamic archetypes. The artistic designs are available as floral motifs on the walls which are now worn out. The temple is the monumental evidence of the royal patronage of Vaishnav temple in Manipur.

Shri Radha Raman Temple of Kanchipur
The temple is situated at Kanchipur, at the old, Langthabal place on hill ridge near the present Manipur University campus. It was dedicated by Maharaj Churachand in the year 1917 AD. It is not in use now. The temple structure is raised on a square pedestal. It is facing south. In front there are five steps of staircases, having steps from three sides. The temple is two celled. The pradakshna path is approachable by front staircases from the south and from there flying steps from the west. The outer jacket is arranged in columns with arcades. The sanctum cube of the outer jacket is raised to the cornice above which is the first railing. On each corner the railing is provided with a mini-temple, the sala. The first railing covers the terrace above the pradakshna path. The internal sanctum cube ends at the terrace level and then the octagonal structure with eight walls is raised. It appears as the octagonal core on the terrace of the temple. It carriers second railing with arches. The eight pillars, one each at the corner of the railing, support the dome arches which convergent the base of the crown at the top. The parabolic ridges of the dome are distinctively visible on the surface of the dome from above. The top crown ends with a globulous pinnacle.

Towards the east is a window with arch. Internally the octagonal structure is seen raised on the four walls of the sanctum cube. The structure with eight walls is also visible with its dome's parabolic walls in the roof. The northern wall, internally has got a raised rostrum, probably for the installation of the deity. The whole structure is made of brick and thereafter given a cement coating. Some designs are seen drawn on the walls. It is based on Nagra style. The temple is the example of the proliferation of the Vaishnavite cult. Radha Raman is another name of Lord Krishna. The structure is near the old Langthabal palace, in fact a temple of the royal family at the capital. It had royal patronage.

Lord Krishna Temple of Brahmpur Leikai
The temple is situated in Imphal at Brahmpur Guru Aribam Leikai, on the banks of the Imphal river. The temple was patronized by king Charairongba and built in the year 1704 AD. The temple is built in bricks. It is given a thick cement coating from outside. The pedestal is raised in three layers of bricks. A sound panel of flying staircases in the south facing facade matches the sturdy structure of the temple base. The sanctum cube and the porch walls separately support the dome like hemispherical roof. The porch dome is shorter in height. The surface of the dome is decorated with the floral motifs. Above the floral motifs it is shaped in to a short neck to rest the circular crown. The crown further carries two Kalasas placed one above the other. The pinnacle above the top vase also carries a Nilachakra.

The internal sanctum is interconnected to the porch hall through a small door. The porch hall is divided in to two chambers partitioned by an iron folding door. The porch door opens outside leading to the staircases. The artistic importance of the temple is that there are different idols of Lord Krishna showing different events from his child hood to adult stage. The modulation of the idols is done in a very artistic manner. These also reflect the artistic antiquity of idol deities.

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