Famous Temples in India

Architecture

Baijnath temple is a beautiful temple with a shikhara (temple tower) having a vestibule, a mandapa (main hall) and a sanctum. There is also a statue of Nandi in the entrance of the temple, which faces towards Lord Shiva in the inner sanctum. The inner and exterior walls of the temple are full of sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses. The overall design of this shrine is beautiful. The two long inscriptions in the porch of the temple indicate that a temple of Shiva existed on the spot even before the present one was constructed. The present temple is a beautiful example of the early medieval North Indian temple architecture known as Nagara style. The Swayambhu form of Sivalinga is enshrined in the sanctum of the temple that has five projections on each side and is surmounted with a tall curvilinear Shikhara. The shafts of the pillars are classically designed. Deities in stone, including the statues of Ganga and Yamuna, stand at the door of the temple. In a place on a wall can be seen the striking image of Surya-the Sun God-wearing a delicately laced jacket. Graceful balcony windows, ornamented foliage and carvings lend variety to the stately structure.

The noteworthy to specially mention two lengthy inscriptions that lie engraved on massive stone slabs in the main hall of the Baijnath temple. It is through these inscriptions written in Sanskrit in the Sharada script and accompanied by another version in the local Pahari language in Takri script that information regarding the temple has been documented. The inscriptions shower rich praise singing glory to the Lord Shiva and also list the beneficiaries involved in the construction of the temple including the architects and the king Jaya Chandra under whose supervision and orders the construction was conducted, concluding finally with the sponsor names.