Introduction Temples also have their periods of glory and decay. This is
often the fate of those temples that are set up by and propped up ruling chiefs or an
aristocrat landlord. The decline of the family with whose prestige, wealth and power the
temple is intimately associated means the decline of the temple also.
Ultimately the temple, once a place of worship, pomp and
glory becomes the scene of desolation, ruin and nostalgia. Even the images are
desecrated or removed, the carved walls and other pieces of sculpture are taken out and
utilized elsewhere. Jungles grow and
jackals stalk in the area where once temple-bells used to jingle with the chant of
mantras.
Author - P.C.Roy Choudhury
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