| Temples & Legends of Assam |
 |
| Temples & Legends Of India |
TEMPLES IN KAMRUP DISTRICT |
|
| It is very
difficult to offer any description about the architecture of the temple. The Sikhara of
this temple follows the pattern of the bee-hive which is in fact a characteristic feature
of many temples in lower Assam. In the lower part of the structure of the temple is seen
the sunken panels alternating with pilasters. Below them one sees the plinth mouldings of
the older temple. While the plinth of the mandapa of the main temple has been covered by
the levelling of the court-yard, the plinth mouldings of the sanctum can be seen inside a
shallow pit lined with stone. Thus the three successive stages of the building on this
site are clearly seen." 20 The temple of Kamakhya is important as it gives us some of the best specimen of sculptural art in Assam. Art critics assign the sculpture of Assam to the fourth school. As G4inath Rao observes: "Viewing broadly, it may well be said that there are four different schools representing four different regions of India. The fourth school, which resembles closely the third in respect of ornamentation and grouping, is chiefly represented by the sculpture of Bengal, Assam and Orissa. It is at once recognised by the human figures therein possessing round faces, in which are set two oblique eyes, a broad forehead, a pair of thin lips and a small chin." The earlier carvings recovered from this temple bear some very suggestive panels. Among many other panels on the west gateway of the temple is seen a small householder doing his daily worship, while his wife is engaged in suckling her child. This ‘mother and child’ portrait is not only lively and natural, but also of singular beauty. 20. Cf; A.R.A.S.I., 1924-1925. |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
