History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c35.s1: Note on the Temples of Telkupi, Manbhum
History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c35.s1
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Note on the Temples of Telkupi, Manbhum
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The village of Telkupi is situated on the right bank of the Damodar in the district of Manbhum (23°39′N-86°38′E). There are about a dozen temples of the *rekha* (*nāgara*) type in this place, but they present certain points of difference from the Orissan type, It is however not possible to say how far the style of this place was directly borrowed from Orissa. From certain structural details it rather appears that both Telkupi and Orissa borrowed from a common source and then each gave a distinctive turn to the form of the temple. The intimacy between Telkupi and Orissa probably increased at a later stage in history. The two temples at Bhairab-thān in Telkupi, which are of a comparatively recent date, present more points of resemblance with the later temples of Orissa than those of earlier age.
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The *bāṛa* of one of the temples at Bhairab-thān is composed of five elements, *viz.* *pābhāga*, *tāla jāngha*, *bāndhanā*, *upar jāngha* and *baranda*. It is a rule in the case of the later temples of Orissa that erotic couples should be placed in niches in the *upar jāngha* and *virāla* figures in corresponding places of the *tāla jāngha*. In the case of the above temple at Bhairab-thān, the order of the *virāla* and erotic figures has been reversed and both sets accommodated in the *tāla jāngha*, leaving the *upar jāngha* bare. This was probably due to the artist's lack of familiarity with the rules current in Orissa. This absence of *virāla* figures and of the five-fold construction of the *bāṛa* in the rest of the temples of Telkupi definitely prove the above two traits to be exotic in their origin. These features, as well as the presence of a flying lion (*jhappā singha*), in the style of Orissa, on the *jagamohan* at Bhairab-thān definitely connect the later history of this locality with that of Orissa.
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Further proof of such connection is also furnished by the nature of a certain religious ceremony observed in this particular area. The village of Telkupi lies in the zemindary of the Raja of Panchakote, who lives in the village of Kashipur near Adra. On the first day of the Bengali year (1st of Vaisakha), a ceremony is performed in the middle of the river-bed at Telkupi. Two umbrellas, made of bamboo, are adorned with garlands of *keṣ* flowers and carried in procession with music to the river-bed. There they are set up in the sand with due ceremonies, when goats are sacrificed and cakes (*piṭhā*) are offered. One of the umbrellas is dedicated on behalf of the "rajah of Kashipur," and the other in the name of the "gajapati sing of Puri." This was reported to the present writer, about two years ago, by an old man named Rakhal Bhandari (aged about 60) of Telkupi, who is himself a priest connected with local ceremonies. It is said that soon after the umbrellas have been posted in the ground, there arises a storm which sweeps away the umbrellas, garlands and everything which is placed there. This is supposed to signify the formal acceptance of the gifts by the deity worshipped.
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A particular ceremony and certain details of architecture and sculpture thus offer proofs of a more intimate
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R. D. BANERJI
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FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE BRITISH PERIOD Vol. 2
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By R. D. BANERJI, M. A. Manindra Chandra Nundy Professor of Ancient Indian History and Culture, and Fellow, Benares Hindu University, formerly Fellow of the Bombay University.
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Vol. II With one map and ninety-five plates
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R. CHATTERJEE CALCUTTA
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Printed and Published by M. C. Das, at the PRABASI PRESS 120-2, Upper Circular Road, Calcutta.
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE TO THE SECOND VOLUME
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It would have given me unmixed pleasure, if the erudite author of this work had lived to see it published. But unhappily he died before even the first volume had been given to the public. It is some consolation, however, that the last fruit of his labours is at length out of the press.
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It is to be regretted that there has been some delay in the publication of the second volume. But it was to some extent unavoidable, as the author had requested that certain illustrations and some information on certain points should be included in this volume. His wishes have been met as far as was practicable.
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The work will now await the verdict of contemporary scholars, and also of posterity, as there are still many gaps to be filled in the History of Orissa, particularly in the ancient and mediæval periods.
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THE PUBLISHER
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connection between the Damodar valley at Manbhum with Orissa than what is to be found at present.
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It may not be uninteresting to point out in this connection that on the door of a temple at Boṛeā in the district of Ranchi (6 miles N. of Ranchi) is carved the figure of a mythical animal, which is called *nabagunjara* in Orissa. Its body is composed of the limbs of nine animals. viz. the elephant. bull, snake, peacock etc. In the Oriya Mahabharata of Sarala Das (16th cent.), it is said that Krishna once appeared to Arjuna in that form. The figure of the *nabagunjara* is not to be found anywhere outside Orissa. It is of such a complex nature that we cannot think of its having been invented independently by the artist of Boṛeā. It is therefore probable that some artist familiar with recent mythological figures of Orissa must have carved it upon the wooden door of the Boṛeā temple. This does not lead us far, still the fact deserves to be mentioned in connection with the present question.