Heritage edifices in Purmandal await exploration
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Apr 13: Centuries old temple like structures and monuments in Jammu and Kashmir’s one of the most revered pilgrimage sites – Purmandal, have been found dumped to perish as neither the Government authorities nor the locals seem sensitive towards these heritage edifices.
Adjoining to each other, these structures are in ruins and seem dumped since unknown period. While most of these structures have either collapsed or almost demolished by the locals to raise Pucca houses, a few of them are still existing in abandoned state.
Since local villagers are unaware of the type of these monuments as well the period of their existence, the architecture of the existing temple like structures and the material used in their construction suggest that these monuments might have been built around 11th century.
Ironically, the Archeology Survey of India (ASI) as well as other State agencies are so far unaware of any such historic monuments existing in Purmandal, which is visited by thousands of devotees and being further developed under various Government schemes.
Located on the banks of the Devika River in the hills about 30 kilometers southeast of Winter Capital Jammu and about 25 kilometers northwest of district headquarters Samba, Purmandal is popularly known as Chhota Kashi and houses a number of historic temples dedicated to Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
While these temples are built on the west bank of Devika river and visited by the devotees, people are unaware of these unexplored heritage edifices situated on other side of the river bank.
Made of carved stones with no use of Chuna, architecture of these temple like structures indicate that these were built around 11th century. Interior of these temples and their curving top are also unique and hint that these structures were made around 1000 years ago. These are square at the base and the walls curve inwards to a point on top.
While most of these centuries old heritage structures have either perished or demolished by the locals for construction of pucca houses, four of these temples- situated adjoining to each other at a distance of few meters, are still in original shape to some extent.
Even as these abandoned temples were found empty with no idols inside, the outer walls of these structures have some ornamentation and sculptures of Hindu deities. A small sculpture of Lord Hanuman was found lying near platform of one of these temples and another temple is having idol of Lord Ganesha carved on its entrance.
However, most of other temple like structures have almost perished apparently because of no awareness among locals towards their centuries old heritage. Excelsior team noticed that some ornamental chiseled stones of these monuments are eating dust in the streets of Purmandal and are being used in ordinary protection work.
It is said that temple complexes in Purmandal were constructed about 2,500 years ago, while additional structures were constructed during the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh and Ranbir Singh in the 19th century. There are indications that these ruined structures were the original temple complexes in Purmandal, which were later abandoned probably following invasions of Timur and others.
Further, there are some large ‘Havelis’ (mansion) and several ‘Dharamshalas’ (rest-houses for pilgrims) of earlier 19th century, which are severely deteriorated. Many of these structures are decorated with murals dating from between 1813 and 1898. The royal cultural imprints are still clearly evident here, but no importance is being given to the protection and conservation of these monuments and buildings. Initiatives need to be taken at Government level for conservation of these historic structures and heritage of Jammu.
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