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Shri Radha Raman Temple of Kanchipur
The temple is situated at
Kanchipur,
at the old, Langthabal place on hill
ridge near the present Manipur University campus. It was dedicated
by Maharaj Churachand in the year 1917 AD. It is not in use now. The temple structure is raised on a square pedestal.
It is facing south. In
front there are five steps of staircases, having steps from three sides. The
temple is two celled. The pradakshna path is approachable by front staircases
from the south and from there flying steps from the west. The outer jacket is
arranged in columns with arcades. The sanctum cube of the outer jacket is raised
to the cornice above which is the first railing. On each corner the railing
is provided with a mini-temple, the sala. The first railing covers the terrace
above the pradakshna path. The internal sanctum cube ends at the terrace level
and then the octagonal structure with eight walls is raised. It appears as the
octagonal core on the terrace of the temple. It carriers second railing with
arches. The eight pillars, one each at the corner of the railing, support the
dome arches which convergent the base of the crown at the top. The parabolic
ridges of the dome are distinctively visible on the surface of the dome from
above. The top crown ends with a globulous pinnacle.
Towards the east is a window with arch.
Internally the octagonal structure is
seen raised on the four walls of the sanctum cube. The structure with eight
walls is also visible with its dome's parabolic walls in the roof. The
northern wall, internally has got a raised rostrum, probably for the
installation of the deity. The whole structure is made of brick and thereafter given a cement coating.
Some designs are seen drawn on the walls. It is based on Nagra style. The temple is the example of the proliferation of the Vaishnavite cult.
Radha
Raman is another name of Lord Krishna. The structure is near the old Langthabal
palace, in fact a temple of the royal family at the capital. It had royal
patronage.
Lord Krishna Temple of Brahmpur Leikai
The temple is situated in Imphal at Brahmpur Guru
Aribam Leikai, on the banks of the Imphal river. The temple was patronized by king Charairongba and
built in the year 1704 AD.
The temple is built in bricks. It is given a thick cement coating from
outside. The pedestal is raised in three layers of bricks. A sound panel of
flying staircases in the south facing facade matches the sturdy structure of the
temple base. The sanctum cube and the porch walls separately support the
dome like hemispherical roof. The porch dome is shorter in height. The surface
of the dome is decorated with the floral motifs. Above the floral motifs it is
shaped in to a short neck to rest the circular crown. The crown further carries
two Kalasas placed one above the other. The pinnacle above the top
vase also carries a Nilachakra.
The internal sanctum is interconnected to the porch hall through a small
door. The porch hall is divided in to two chambers partitioned by an
iron folding door. The porch door opens outside leading to the staircases.
The artistic importance of the temple is that there are different idols
of Lord Krishna showing different events from his child hood to
adult stage. The modulation of the idols is done in a very artistic manner.
These also reflect the artistic antiquity of idol deities .
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