| Temples & Legends of Assam |
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| Temples & Legends Of India |
TEMPLES IN KAMRUP DISTRICT |
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| The Sikhara of this
imposing Hayagriva temple has a pyramidal plane face, which continues right upto an apex
point.In its horizontal aspect, the temple, in addition to the garbhagriha and the
anteroom just described, has a large vestibulemeasuring 40 feet by 20 feet built of brick
and resting on massive brick pillars. This is a new addition to the original structure,
per haps constructed by Naranarayan, the Koc king in 1550 A.D.35 The upper walls of the exterior of the temple contain life-size sculptured figures. Here are re presented the ten avataras with Buddha as the ninth. The rest of the figures are of a non-descript character, but they are mostly male, and nearly all figures carry a trident (Trisula). According to the Lamas, these figures were originally inside the temple, but were ejected by the Buddha.36 The temple derives its revenue from the land endowed on it by the kings. Artisans and. others are supported out of the temple funds. The chief priest of the temple is called Dalai. He is elected from among the local priests and holds office till his death. He resides in a large house situated at the foot of the hill, just below the temple. The temples of the Kamrup, district could be conveniently seen by camping at Gauhati which has all the tourist facilities. 35. Ibid., p. 20. 36. J.A.R.S., Vol. 111, No. 2, pp. 42-43. |
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