File:0121621 Kakanmath temple, Sihoniya Madhya Pradesh 128.jpg

Original file (1,280 × 960 pixels, file size: 1.95 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg)

Summary

Description
English: The Kakanmath temple, sometimes referred to as the Kokanpur Matha temple or Sihoniya Shiva temple, is an early 11th-century five-temples complex of which only the main one has survived in a ruined, shell form. The site is notable for the profuse and elegant Hindu artwork found in its ruins.

The main temple faces east and stands on a large jagati (platform). The original temple was a panchayatana complex of the type taught in Advaita Vedanta literature – a main temple with four subsidiary shrines in the corners.

The main temple is dedicated to Shiva. The remnant trace of the other four temples are visible, and these likely were dedicated to four deities such as Shakti (goddess), Vishnu, Surya and Ganesha. The main temple consists of a multi-storey structure with a mukhamandapa, ardhamandapa, antarala and garbhagriya. With its sandhara design, the pradakshina-patha (circumambulation passage) is on the platform and around the temple's sanctum. The pitha (socle) of the temple is moulded and niches containing Hindu artwork punctuate it.

The temple has exceptional quality Hindu artwork, even though much has been deliberately beheaded, defaced and mutilated after the 13th century (as established by inscriptions).

The Kakanmath temple artwork include the Vedic deities, Shiva, Parvati, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Vishnu, Brahma, amorous couples, panels showing scenes from the Hindu epics, secular scenes, and others. The outer walls of the sanctum have artwork in the elevated section, some of which must have been a part of an elaborate sukanasa. Other panels extended above the vimana. These include nymphs and vyalas (leogryphs). The bhadra (cardinal projections) have large but empty niches with phamsana-style pediments. The sanctum doorway has seven sakha (ornate concentric jambs), one of the sakha consists of a large row of deities, flanked by two bands of amorous couples.

Regional legends attribute this temple to queen Kokanavati, with the original name "Kokanpur-matha mandir" implying that this was a part of a monastery. Another inscription found at the famed Sas-Bahu temple of Gwalior says that Kirtiraja built a "wonderful temple for Parvati's Lord in Simhapaniya that shines like a column of glory"; many scholars equate Sihoniya with Simhapaniya and the "Parvati's Lord temple" with Kankanmath Shiva temple.
Date
Source Own work
Author Ms Sarah Welch
Camera location26° 35′ 05.46″ N, 78° 14′ 56.08″ E Kartographer map based on OpenStreetMap.View this and other nearby images on: OpenStreetMapinfo

Licensing

I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license:
Creative Commons CC-Zero This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
The person who associated a work with this deed has dedicated the work to the public domain by waiving all of their rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law. You can copy, modify, distribute and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Captions

View of the main temple while standing on the platform

Items portrayed in this file

depicts

16 December 2021

26°35'5.460"N, 78°14'56.080"E

0.00347222222222222222 second

1.74 millimetre

image/jpeg

b068f492a97144912fd8b87c87c9d572b5e2e763

2,041,777 byte

960 pixel

1,280 pixel

File history

Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time.

Date/TimeThumbnailDimensionsUserComment
current15:16, 12 February 2023Thumbnail for version as of 15:16, 12 February 20231,280 × 960 (1.95 MB)Ms Sarah WelchUploaded own work with UploadWizard

The following page uses this file:

Metadata