Kumbha Mahadev Temple is a unique temple in the Kashi Vishwanath corridor. The entire edifice is covered with lush sculptural carvings. It is named Kumbha Mahadev on account of kumbha (pot) ornaments used copiously in the decoration. The temple is also known as Samudra Manthan temple as the west facade has an exquisite relief carving depicting the Churning of the ocean or Samudra Manthan.
Kumbha Mahadev Temple is one of the most exquisite temples that was discovered in the Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor after removal of encroachments. It is on account of prominent kumbha ornaments used copiously on the temple edifice that it is known as Kumbha Mahadev temple. The temple stands on a low plinth and faces east, towards Manikarnika Ghat. On plan, it consists of mandapa (pillared porch), antarala (vestibule) and garbhagriha (shrine).
No. 43 on map
The square mandapa is supported by four highly ornate pillars (stambhas). A four-tiered pyramidal superstructure (shikhara) called phamsana, surmounts the hall. The lower three tiers are decorated with kumbha motifs while the topmost tier is composed of a square, stepped structure, decorated with knotted serpents in the center of each face. Above this, rests a broad platform from which rise elaborate crowning elements, comprising amalakas, padmas which are topped with finials of kalasha and bijapuraka which appear to be made of metal.
The front pillars of the mandapa have square bases with four moldings with diaper, lotus petal and bead patterns. The fourth and topmost moulding is plain. The shafts emerge from purnakumbhas that rest on inverted bell-shaped bases, both of which are covered entirely with ornate acanthus leaf motifs. The pillar shafts are of a mixed type, first octagonal in cross-section and then circular to support a kumbha capital. The entire shaft is covered with sculptural decoration. The octagonal section of the shaft has alternating male and female figures holding hands, probably a representation of rasleela as the male figure looks like Krishna with headgear decorated with peacock feather. There are many other small figures on the pillars that add to the complex iconographic programme of the temple.
It is because of prominent kumbha ornaments at various places that the temple is known as Kumbha Mahadev. Above the capital of each pillar, is a square abacus from which sprout brackets in the form of bharavahakas and apsaras. The rear pillars of the mandapa share a base with the pilasters of the antarala. In ornamentation, they are similar to the front pillars.
Inside the square mandapa is a domed ceiling that rises from a dodecagonal base that gradually transforms to a circular shape. The zone of transition has large sculptures of Lord Krishna in rasleela with gopis. Rasleela is a recurring theme in the Kumbha Mahadev temple. The soffit (vitana) of the dome has a lotus ornament.
Mandapa, Kumbha Mahadev Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Pyramidal roof of mandapa, Kumbha Mahadev temple
Domical ceiling of mandapa depicting Krishna with gopis, Kumbha Mahadev Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Pillars of mandapa, Kumbha Mahadev Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
The antarala is entered by an arched gateway. The pilasters are embellished with a variety of floral, geometrical and figural ornaments and have kumbhas at the base of the shaft. Guardian deities are carved at the base; the deity on the left appears to be Hanuman, holding a mace (gada) in his hand. Instead of capitals, these pilasters are topped by miniature pilasters with their shafts decorated with acanthus leaf. From the base of the upper pilasters, are corbeled brackets that support an elegant torana arch that emerges from the mouth of kneeling elephants. On their backs, these elephants carry miniature shrines showing deities or ascetics seated in padmasana. Robust mahouts ride these elephants with ankushas in their hands. The front faces of the upper pilasters are provided with elegant putlis. The left putli holds in her left hand a fluted vase while the right putli carries a bell in her right hand. Above the capitals, rests an architrave.
Mandapa, Kumbha Mahadev Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
The antarala leads to the garbhagriha through an ornate saptshakha doorway with recessed jambs. There are guardian deities at the bottom of the outermost sakha though only the male deity on the right is in a good state of preservation. The top of this sakha also contains a devakosthaka housing a deity at each end. The center of the lintel (lalata) is reserved for the lalatabimba, which at this temple is an image of Ganesha.
Smeared with vermilion, the image has lost its original character. The entablature above the door has two panels on either side of the lalatabimba. Each panel consists of seated images of goddess Durga mounted on simhasana. The topmost sections of the outer jambs of the doorway have four-armed deities carrying attributes and seated in padmasana.
At the bottom of the elegant doorway are images of Bhairava on the left and Kartikeya on the right. Bhairava is shown astride his dog vehicle. He is depicted with four arms. In his upper right hand, he is holding a rod (danda). Other attributes are broken. Kartikeya is shown seated on his peacock vehicle (vahana) with a snake in its mouth. He is depicted with twelve arms. Attributes in his hands cannot be identified as the sculpture is badly damaged. Of his six heads, only five are visible; sixth head is presumed to be at the back.
Doorway with recessed jambs, Kumbha Mahadev Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Bhairava
Kartikeya
The square plan of the garbhagriha gradually becomes octagonal through the use of pendentives at the phase of transition. Pendentives are decorated with beautiful peacocks with their wings spread and finely delineated feathers. These peacocks are shown with snakes in their mouths. Squinches are present at the second level to further transform the drum to sixteen-sided that gradually transitions into a circular dome. From the soffit of the dome, hangs a bell.
Ceiling of garbhagriha, Kumbha Mahadev Temple
The center of the garbhagriha, is occupied by an elegant Shiva linga on a yoni-pitha. The linga is preceded by a reclining Nandi sculpture. The four walls show tripartite division. The central sections of the walls are plain except for niches with cusped arches in front and jali at the rear. On either side are niches with sculptures of Ganesha on the left and Durga on the right.
Shiva linga, Kumbha Mahadev Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Four-armed and pot-bellied, the bejeweled Ganesha is shown seated on a floral pedestal. He holds an axe (parashu) in his upper right hand and in his upper left hand, a lotus (padma). In the lower right hand, he carries a modaka bowl and is shown eating the same with his trunk. The attribute of the lower left hand is not clear. The sculpture is now smeared with vermilion. A highly bejeweled image of four-armed goddess Durga is shown seated in ardha-padmasana on a floral pedestal mounted on her lion vehicle. Her arms are broken. Though effaced, one of her female attendants can be seen standing elegantly on her right side over a blooming flower.
Ganesha
Durga
Lakshmi
Uma-Maheshwara
Surya
Lakshmi- Narayana
On the southern wall sculptures of Lakshmi and Uma-Maheswara can be seen. Lakshmi is seated in ardha-padmasana over a lotus pedestal. The four-armed deity is carrying lotus flowers in her upper hands while her lower hands are damaged. Like goddess Durga, she is also embellished with multiple ornaments. On either side of her, are female attendants who are standing on flowers. Maheswara and his consort, Uma, are seated on a floral pedestal. Shiva is shown with a moustache. His jatamukuta is adorned with the serpent ornament. River Ganga is shown flowing in three streams from his matted locks. He wears a garland of skulls. A trident can be discerned in his upper right hand. In his lower right hand, he holds a rosary. With his lower left hand, he gently embraces Uma, who is shown with folded hands (anjali mudra). His upper left arm is broken.
The eastern interior wall of the garbhagriha has sculptures of Surya and Lakshmi-Narayana. Surya is shown on his chariot which is now broken, though his charioteer, Aruna can be seen. He is also seen on a lotus pedestal mounted over the chariot. Attributes of the four-armed deity are not discernible. The Lakshmi-Narayana sculpture is similar to that of the Uma-Maheswara in composition. Dainty Lakshmi is shown seated in the lap of Narayana. In her left hand she holds a flower and pulls her scarf (odhani) modestly with her right hand. The majestic figure of Vishnu is seated on a lotus flower emerging from the river beneath. Bejeweled four-armed Vishnu is holding conch (shankha) in his lower left hand and a discus (Sudarshana chakra) in his upper left hand. Attributes in his other hands are broken. From the stalk of his padma pedestal, branch out two more floral stalks with seated attendant deities.
The temple is pancharatha in plan which means that the walls of the garbhagriha have five offsets or projections in each of the three sides in north, west, and south. The wide central offset is referred to as bhadra; flanking it are a pair of subsidiary offsets called pratibhadras and at the corners are the karna offsets. The body of the temple on the three sides is decorated with fine sculptures and decorative mouldings.
The superstructure crowning the garbhagriha is shekhari in style in which the central spire is surrounded by miniatures spires. From the 10th century onwards, this style of shikhara was frequently used across North India with the finest examples at Khajuraho. At the base of the central projection of the shikhara, on all three sides are miniature shrines jutting out of the body of the shikhara. In these shrines are enshrined, potbellied ascetics seated in padmasana with rosaries in their hands. Towards the top, shikhara has a checkered pattern on all four sides. The shikhara is topped by a square slab with projections in the corners. In the middle of each side are elongated awnings that look like snake hoods. This square element supports an elaborate finial with multiple components such as amalaka, kalasha, and bijapuraka resting above an inverted padma.
The sculptures on the lowest section of the temple show deities in procession. The middle section of the temple has on bhadra projections, oriel windows or jharokhas. Most of other offsets are adorned with beautiful figures of yoginis standing on elegant lotus pedestals. They have voluptuous bodies, full breasts, folds on their belly, curvaceous hips and fleshy thighs. They are ornamented with necklaces, garlands, bracelets, armlets, bangles, anklets, earrings and elaborate coiffures.
Topmost sections of the walls have depictions of Anantashayana Vishnu, episodes of Samudra manthana and gopi vastraharana on central offsets and various incarnations of Vishnu, scenes from Krishna leela, horse of ashvamedha sacrifice etc on other projections.
Please refer to the tables below for the configuration of sculptures on the walls of garbhagriha. Sculptures have been discussed separately below.
Shri Kumbha Mahadev Temple, South Wall, East to West
Table 1: Shri Kumbha Mahadev Temple, Samudra Manthan, South Wall
Shri Kumbha Mahadev Temple, (Samudra Manthan), West Wall (South to North)
Table 2: Shri Kumbha Mahadev Temple, (Samudra Manthan), West Wall (South to North)
Shri Kumbha Mahadev Temple, (Samudra Manthan), North Wall (West to East)
Table 3: Shri Kumbha Mahadev Temple, (Samudra Manthan), North Wall (West to East)
