History of India, c. 150 A.D. to 350 A.D.: Naga–Vakataka Imperial Period c19.s3: Nachnā Temples
History of India, c. 150 A.D. to 350 A.D.: Nāga–Vākāṭaka Imperial Period c19.s3
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Nachnā Temples
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Bhairava-Śiva (Chaturmukha) Temple (Pinnacle over Āmalaka restored recently, and Portico added.
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A window in Pārvati Temple showing Date-Palm Design.
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The Bhūbharā temple has been subjected to modern vandalism. The glorious door with its jambs and sculptures has been removed; that is, the temple has been practically demolished; and the parts have been taken to the Indian Museum at Calcutta and to Fort Uch-harā, where numerous parts have been fortunately saved and preserved by Lal Saheb M.-Kumāra Bhārgavendra Singh, President of the Council of Nagod. But they are lying scattered. The exquisite face-lingam is lying uncared for in the jungle within a shrine which has been rendered tottering by the removal of the massive door and the sculptures which faced and lined the sides.¹ This link between Bharahut and the revived Hindu plastic art has been subjected to a fate worse than Bharahut.
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¹ Lal Saheb whose attention was drawn to the present condition of the temple has kindly promised to take steps to preserve what still remains.
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The Nachnā temple has been the subject of a worse treatment. The famous Pārvatī temple has been, within the last few years, deprived of its outer walls completely.² With its pieces one side of the tower of the Śiva temple has been repaired by a local Brahmin,³ who is said to have discovered gold coins buried in jars at Nachnā. The walls of the Pārvatī temple imitating rocks and caves have thus wholly disappeared, and their animal sculptures which are amongst the most beautiful specimens of Hindu plastic art are either lying scattered on the ground or taken away. A few of them have been rescued by a friend of mine.
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² See the *Modern Review* (Calcutta), April, 1933, for its illustration.
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³ See Plate IX. The room in front of the Śikhara temple is a recent addition. The side photographed shows the original śikhara, except for the pinnacle which is modern.
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The Pārvatī temple and the Śiva temple are works of the same artists and are contemporary ones. Mr. Codrington is wrong in saying that the Śikhara of the temple of Śiva is a later construction and 'superimposed' (*Ancient India*, p. 61). I have examined the temples and had the advantage of the expert opinion of an engineer whom I had taken with myself. The Sikhara temple is the earliest in India existing in its original form. The carvings and the technique are the precursor of the Gupta and the later art. The Śiva-faces on the lingam are superb.¹ One of them with a Bhairava expression has its palate wonderfully well done, which one realizes by feeling it. I hope, some artist will make a thorough study of the temple and sculptures on the spot, and some official attempt would be made to rescue the buildings and the remains.
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¹ See Plate X.