Shri Putli Bai Temple, also known as Avimukteshwar temple, is believed to be the original Vishwanath temple. The temple, dedicated to Shiva, is dated to 1853 CE, on the basis of epigraphic inscriptions on site. It is popularly referred to as Putli Bai Temple on account of the exquisitely carved images of putlis. It is one of the rare temples in the corridor which have an enclosure (prakara) wall.
Varanasi or Kashi was known as Avimuktakshetra and as per Hindu tradition, anybody who dies here attains moksha. Putli Bai or Avimukteshwar temple is believed to be the original Vishwanath temple. The temple has been given lot of importance in ancient Hindu texts and grants; many of which state that just by mere darshan of Avimukteshwar linga, a person is absolved from all his sins and attains moksha. The mention of the linga is also to be found in Linga Purana, Kashi Khanda and Brahma Vaivarta Purana. It is said that there was a glorious temple of Avimukteshwar linga in the very premises of Vishveshwar linga which is supported by historical records but due to rampant destruction in the Mughal period, the linga may have been displaced or relocated.
Avimukteshwara temple is one of the many temples reclaimed from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor near Manikarnika Ghat. The temple, dedicated to Shiva, is dated to 1853 CE on the basis of epigraphic inscriptions on site. It is popularly referred to as Putli Bai Temple on account of the exquisitely carved images of putlis. The putlis, playing different musical instruments, are present on the pradakshina (circumambulatory path) wall of the temple. The temple is approached from the North, through the mandapa into the garbhagriha via antarala. The temple structure is very simple and the main ornamentation is on the pillars and doorframe.
No. 9 on map
Avimukteshwar, a Nagara-style temple, is based on a rectangular plan and is aligned in North-South direction. It stands on a low adhisthana (plinth) and consists of a mandapa (pillared hall), antarala (vestibule) and garbhagriha (sanctum). It also includes three subsidiary shrines in front of the mandapa. The temple elevation is pancharatha and has three main divisions; the adhishthana (plinth or base) with moulding, jangha (central portion of the temple) and shikhara (spire).
The square shaped mandapa (pillared hall) stands on a low plinth and is open from all four sides. The roof of the mandapa is supported by four beautifully carved pillars, one in each corner. The center of the hall is occupied by an image of Nandi, the vahana of Shiva, which faces the linga in the garbhagriha. The ceiling and pillars of the mandapa are covered with sculptures in high relief.
On top of the mandapa, rises a shekhari type of shikhara. The slender spire is curvilinear in shape and has four smaller subsidiary towers (urashringas) that cluster around the main spire. The bhadra projection of the jangha (outer wall of the temple) extends to the shikhara. On the central projection of the first storey, is a miniature shrine with a deity sitting in padmasana (yogic position) with attendants on both sides. This has been depicted on all three central projections of the shikhara. The main spire, the mulamanjiri of the mandapa is typically topped with elements like amalaka, padma and kalashas but here they are not in place.
The ceiling of the mandapa is domical and has delicately carved sculptures of Krishna with gopis. The carving in high relief depicts the scene of Krishna leela. The gopis are dancing with hands raised and extending towards each other while Krishna plays the flute. Each figure is divided by a kalasha over which rests a coiled serpent with its hood open.
Mandapa, Putli Bai Temple
Shekhari shikhara over mandapa
Shekhari shikhara over mandapa
Krishna with gopis, ceiling of mandapa
The four pillars of the mandapa are divided into three main registers - pitha (base), stambha (shaft) and shirsha (head). The base of the pillar is square with sculptures of deities carved in high relief on all four sides. The shaft is round in shape and has three sub-registers, each divided by a band of diamond-shaped motifs. The lower register of stambha is carved with miniature shrines with decorative Shiva lingas. The middle register is composed of floral motifs while the upper register comprises ghantamalas. The round echinus of the pillar is a ghata pallava (vase with foliage). Above it is a square abacus from which two figures reach outwards to serve as additional support. The figure depicted on the inner side of mandapa is of a bharavahaka (caryatid) and one outside is that of apsara (celestial maiden) holding a musical instrument.
Pillars or stambhas of mandapa
The temple has a small antarala or vestibule between the mandapa and garbhagriha which is open.
The sanctum is pancharatha in plan with three main divisions in elevation; an adhishthana (plinth or base) with characteristic mouldings, jangha (main body of the temple) and the shikhara. The jangha of the temple has five projections on each facade; the Bhadra (central broad offset), pratibhadras (subsidiary offsets) and karnas (corner offsets). These projections are decorated with pattikas (bands) on all three sides. On the west bhadra projection, there is a jharokha or oriel window covered with jali.
A curvilinear shikhara rises above the garbhagriha with subsidiary shikharas called urahshringas clustering around the main spire. On the rathika of each façade is a miniature shrine that projects out slightly. The shikhara is crowned with amalaka which is further topped by a kalasha.
The entrance to the garbhagriha is through a highly ornate aandola torana (wave like garland) with chaturshakha (four door jambs). The torana is preceded by saptashakha doorway at the base of which are guardian figures on either side of the door. In the center of the lintel or lalata is the lalatabimba, an image of Lord Ganesha, shown seated on a throne in padmasana and flanked by two attendant figures.
The garbhagriha is a small chamber, inside which the primary deity of the temple, Lord Shiva resides in the form of Linga. The main linga is in the center enclosed within a small railing while there are smaller lingas in each of the four corners.
Shiva linga, Garbhagriha, Putli Bai Temple
Pancharatha Plan, West face, Garbhagriha, Putli Bai Temple
Pancharatha Plan, West face, Garbhagriha
Jali window, Bhadra, West face of garbhagriha
Shikhara, Garbhagriha
This is the north side of the pradakshina patha formed by the enclosure wall surrounding the temple. Next to the mandapa, an entrance doorway can be seen with three spires on top, each decorated in the characteristic style of Banaras temple shikharas.
The prakara or the enclosure wall of the temple is composed of a decorative arcade, supported on engaged columns. The arches are cusped and the spandrels covered entirely by interlaced floral patterns. Between each arch, beautiful images of putlis can be seen in a variety of poses, playing different musical instruments. These putlis can be seen on the exterior of the temple walls as well giving rise to the temple’s popular name ‘Putli Bai temple’.
North Direction, pradikshana patha
West face, pradikshana patha
West face, pradikshana patha
West face, pradikshana patha
