Credit: Varun Shiv Kapur
Bharmour, a beautiful place in Himachal that I am sure you haven’t heard about, is known for its 7th-century temple. A large number of tourists visit Himachal Pradesh every year to see its natural beauty, but they miss out on the ancient temples.
Lakshana Devi Temple, located in Bharmour, is one such temple that falls into this category. Showcasing excellent wooden art and architecture, the temple was built in the 7th century. What is most remarkable is the use of wood in the temple. The intricate carving on the wood mixed with a stone represent a different architectural style of the western himalayan region.
About Bharmour state
Once the capital of State Chamba, Bharmour was historically known as Brahmore, Bharmour, Brahmapura, and Brahmaur. It was established by the son of Maru, Jaistambh.
The Chamba state was established in the 6th century by Maru, who was a descendant of the kings of Ayodhya. He was a great ruler and a great patron of art and culture. He constructed numerous temples, among which the Lakhana temple is an important one.
He expanded the rule of Chamba State and brought areas down along the Ravi Valley. Before this, his rule was only up to the village of Chhatrari, which was only 48 km from Chamba. All the construction of these temples shows the power and wealth of Meru Varman.
Temple’s layout
Lakhana Temple is a part of the famous Chaurasi Temple Complex, which once consisted of 84 temples. The temple roof is triangular and pointed in shape. It’s the most common shape found in the temples of the Himalayan region. The architecture of the temple is categorized into the post-Temple period.
Inner Sanctum
The temple is dedicated to the Lakshana (Lakshana) devi and considered a manifestation of the Mahishasuramardini form of Durga. The brass idol of Devi resting inside the Sanctorum looks beautiful to the eyes. At the base of the idol, there is an inscription that says the name of the sculptor, Gugga. It tells more about the three generations of King Meru Varman.
Some remains of the woods are old remains of the 7th century. It shows when you stand at the entrance and see the carved door. It is divided into three sections: the door frame, the rectangle section, and the triangular section. All the wooden carvings will surely take the heart out of you.
Inside the Mandapa and sanctum sanctorum, the magic of wooden carving continues. Mandap ceilings are divided into three sections with different patterns. The middle section represents the chandelier, while the outer and inner sections have patterns of louts and bells. The only difference is that the inner sanction is shaped in the form of a rectangle.
Alexander Cunningham
In the governmental records, Alexander Cunningham first noticed the ancient remains of Chamba and Bharmour region. He later published a short report talking about several inscriptions and copper plates found .
Wooden temples in Himachal Pradesh
Mrikula Devi Temple in Udaipur
Shakti Devi Temple Complex in Chhatrari
Dakshineshwar Mahadev Temple in Nirmand