Due to its
inaccessibility, this region (Garhwal and Kumaon) was least disturbed by
the political upheavals that occurred in the plains due to wars. Temple
architecture was patronised under the powerful and wealthy kings of Paun,
Katu-yaris, Pa-wars and Chanda dynasties who encouraged the construction
of big stone temples, wood carvings, ornaments, pattas, aipans etc. Big
stone temples were erected with highly intricate and ornamental carvings,
having beautiful stone and metal idols.
Temple Complexes of Adi
Badri (Distt. Chamoli) and Baijnath (Distt. Almora) are but few examples
of this. The kings of the Katu-yar dynasty constructed many stone Temples
in high and inaccessible places. Temples of Kedarnath, Tungnath etc. are
but a few examples of this. The ruins of the Temples and palaces of
Champa-wat are mute witness of the wealth and glory of Intricately carved
stone pillar, Champawat, 1erful and wealthy kings. In later periods,
however the Temples and Temple complexes remained not only a place of
religious practice but also became the meeting points of intellectuals.
Here art-Temple complexes of Adi Badri is used to gather to display their
best art works, poems and pundits to debate over complicated philosophical
issues. Kamaleshwar-Temple of Srinagar (Garhwal) and Nanda Devi Temple
(Distt. Almora) are fine examples of these.
The archaeological
heritage of Garhwal-Kumaon is represented by clusters of Temples scattered
all over the region. Among the important places of these Temples are Lakha
Mandal, Adi Badri, Dwarahat, Jageshwar, Baijnath, Gangolihat, Champawat
and Almora. The salient features of this style of architecture are the
lotus-shaped roof, lion over the elephant which is projected over lower
Shikhara normally covering the audience hall and outer wails executed
either in Panch Rath or Sapta Rath pattern, giving the
temple a cylindrical shape. The main temple is invariably surrounded by a
couple of smaller. temples, which house deities of lower hierarchy.
The
specific typology that finally evolved m Garhwa!-Kumaon conform to the
influence of the plains. At Jageshwar the Mandap of the main
shrine has been elevated by adding an Amalaka (spire) or stepped
design. In spite of being slightly curvilinear in outline, the spires are
marked by broad and horizontal mouldings. The development of this
architectural tradition is also discerned in temples built in the Chand
period. In the Chand and post-Chand times the Amalakas were
crowned by wooden canopy-roofing, probably denoting a Nepali influence.
The temple construction was a result of local aesthetic
initiative inspired by the general creativity in the classical
architecture. However, the structural art could neither reach a proper
stage of development, nor attain the maturity seen elsewhere in India.
Subsequently, due to certain inexplicable factors, the temple building
movement in Garhwal Kumaon turned towards simplification.
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