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Lord Sanamahi Temples
The temple is situated in Imphal town in the first Manipur Rifle Ground.
It
was patronized by king Kulachandra in 1891. The structure is raised on an octagonal base. The southern side has got
flying steps. The facade carries a rectangular door. In the octagonal structure
each component wall meets the double cornice. The cornice below and above has
got a series arranged in a line over the octagonal structure. The roof structure
is in pyramidal Gothic Style. The arches incline at 45 degree to form a tapering
octagonal structure which is truncated by Amalaka-sila, on the top, in a form
of a circular disc. It carries a pinnacle. A porch is also the eastern side
connecting the sanctum hall. Internally the sanctum is octagonal. The temple looks like the Baptistery
type, raised as a polygonal structure, with Gothic roof, but ends objectively
in a Niagara style by culminating the trunk by Amalaka-sila which further ends
with the pinnacle. The structure is made in bricks. There has been a sufficient
effort to explore the artistic designs in constructing the structure itself in a
peculiar architectural design and by giving a stylizes shape to the double
cornice. It is the only temple animistic faith of Manipur which was constructed
particularly to enshrine the animistic deity. The temple is also important for
its architectural variety. The deity Lord Sanamahi is worshipped in the temple. The
rituals are of typical Hindu style. The decoration of deity and puja system is
based on Hindu methods. The dress of the priest performing the rituals is
indistinguishable from a Hindu priest. The puja performed by the priest daily in
morning and evening at appropriate times of Ushakala and Samdhyakala. A weekly
puja known as 'Sagalchham' is performed on Tuesday. The annual festival is
celebrated at the temple during 'Cheiraoba' which is the annual year festival of
Manipur and another annual festival celebrated during September at the temple is
called Honjnungha.
Shri Govindjee temple of New Palace
This is the main temple of Manipur.
It enshrines the royal deity Shri Govindjee. The
temple is situated near the present palace. It was built by king Churachand. The
royal deities were shifted from the old Govindjee temple of Kangla palace to
this temple on its completion. The surroundings are very suitable for the site
of temple. There is a beautiful Vatica (the temple garden), a lake and a big
ground with lofty trees in the periphery. The temple structure has been constructed in a palatial form raised on a square
and on sufficiently high pedestal. It is the most magnificent and biggest temple
of Manipur. In front, it has the portico. It can be considered two celled type,
the internal sanctum and the outer jacket with pradakshna path. The internal
cell is partitioned by two septica walls. The outer cube and the portico cube
are constructed in the form of massive pillars raised at intervals in the arcade
system. Above the arch, the walls goes up to the cornice. Above the cornice is
the first railing covering the terrace above the circumambulatory path. The first
railing is having mini-shrines called salas, one each at the corners. There is no
other superstructure over the portico roof after the first railing. The sanctum
cube are raised up the terrace of the first railing, right up to the cornice,
then the second railing which surrounds the two domes. Externally the sanctum
wall does not show any partition but internally the partition walls divide it in
to three chambers. Then the two multi-arched domes are raised fro the cornice
level /the arches of each dome converge at the base of the crown. The crown
carries the Amalika-sila and then the kalasa with long pinnacle with the temple
flag. Both the dome surfaces from above are covered with gold plate sheets. The facade is to the east.
The main deity of Govindjee with his consort is placed in the central chamber.
Jagannath, Subhadra and Balarama in the northern chamber and Balarama and Krishna
in the southern chamber. The chambers are nicely spick and span. The
front arcades are provided with curtains. The temple is in Nagra style of Hindu temples.
The architectural maturity and richness
is reflected through the temple structure. The idol of Lord Govindjee and his
consort are made of the special wood and from the left out wood were made the
idols of Jagannath, Subhadra and Balarama. The idols are decorated with
Muktas on special occasions. Krishna and Balarama idols are made pf plaster and
given charming combination of colours. The temple is the centre of religious activities of Manipur.
It is now
controlled by committee in which some important priests and persons of
the town are members. The morning are punctually performed in strict discipline and in ritualistic manner.
A music party is permanently engaged to perform music
during the prayers. Several special festivals are celebrated in this temple with
particular display of Manipuri dances. This temple maintain the social order in
Manipur valley.
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