The influence of
Orissa is very clear on a number of temples in Bankura District. There is
number of Rekha Temples in Bankura district and they all follow closely the
Rekha type of temples in Orissa. Such temples are found in Orissa with a
characteristic feature of curvilinear sikhara- a tower like construction formed
by the four walls gradually carving inwards from the very beginning and almost
meeting at a top known as AMALOKA- SILA.
This type of temple called “Rekh Dual”. The brick temple at BAHULARA (The Siddheshwara
temple) was typical example of blending between Orissa and Bengal styles of
architecture.
Bankura is considered as a land of temples, mostly belonging to a late mediaeval period especially those which were constructed in the time of the Malla rulers of Vishnupur. The temple which may be brought within the purview to study is “Bahulara” or Bolara temple. Of course, there is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding the date of the temple. The temple has been visited and studied by a number of scholars in the past.
Bahulara village
is accessible both by road and is about 5km from Onda railway station (25 km, from
Bishunupur).The Siddheshwara Temple is well known for its unique architectural
style and exquisite ornamentation of the temple walls. The temple dedicated to
Shiva, located in the village Bhulara, is considered the finest specimen of
brick rekha deul temple made in the line of Orissa architecture ascribe to Pala
(Medieval) period. Beside a Shiva lingam the temple has images of Ganesha, Jain
tirthankar Paarasanath and one of Mahisasurmardini deity.
Situated on the
banks of the Dwarakeswar River, “Siddheshwari
temple at Bahulara in the Bankura district is probably the finest specimen of
brick build rekha deul temple of mediaeval period now standing in Bengal”, according to Nalini Kanta
Bhattasali. Unfortunately the amalok and kalas at the top had fallan down. In
the month of Chaitra the Bahulara Siva Gajan is held spread over three
days. Hundreds of Bhaktas come to the
place and do certain types of self-immolation. The area is full of old relics
and mounds and there is no doubt that an excavation would even now yield excellent
results.
The various mounds
surrounding the temple at Bahulara have led archeologists to speculate that it
was a Buddhist centre at some point of time. The mounds are believed to be
Buddhist Chaityas. The remains of Buddhist Bhikhus,
after cremation, were thus buried. Prior
to the dominance of Shaivism, the area was influenced by Buddhism and
Jainism. Jainism flourished till around
7th century A.D.
Photograph of bahulara temple taken by Joseph David Beglar in 1872-73.
J.D. Beglar
observed like this “The object of worship
inside is named Siddheswara, being a large lingam apparently in situ. I
conclude, therefore, that the temple was originally Shaivic. Besides the lingam
there are inside a naked jain standing figure, a ten armed female (Durga) and a
Ganeca; the Jain figure is clear proof of the existence of Jain religion in
this parts in old times, through I cannot point to the precise temple or spot
which was devoted to this sect.”
A few circular
brick-basements lying on the southern side of the temple of Bahulara have been identified
by Mr. S. K. Saraswati as Stupa-basements.
As suggested by Saraswati, “These
brick structures, however, have only their basements preserved.” He Also added “Although
the basement of the “pancharatha” type is supposed to the part of the huge
structure, it is an illustration of the truth that the brick- made stupas in
Bengal have only their basements preserved. The Basement of Buddhist stupas in
Bahulara, probably, was much earlier in date than its temple by the side of which
it is found.”
References :
1 Iconography of Buddhist and Bhahminical
Sculpture by Nalinikanta Bhattasali.
2 Bankurer Mandir by Amiya Kumar
Bandopadhya.
3 Pashim Banger Sanskriti by Binoy Ghosh.
(Part-1)
4 S.K.Sarasti (1943) “Architecture”, in
R.C.Majumder edited “The History of Bengal”, Vol-1,Dhaka.
5 "A Tour Through the Bengal Provinces" by
J.D. Beglar
Research - Santanu Roy
Picture Courtesy - Sritam Mukherjee