Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures of Early Medieval Asian Era

History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar) - Part 117

   Early Medieval   Asian History of Katyuri Imperialism of Kartikeyapur in Kumaon, Garhwal and Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) -28

          (Early Asian Medieval History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar, Doti Nepal (Uttarakhand, India))

                          (Early Asian Medieval History (740-1100 AD)

                                              By: Bhishma Kukreti

                     The sculpture making inside temples in Uttarakhand started quite before Katyuri period. Dr Dabral informs that oldest sculpture in Uttarakhand is Lakulish Shivling. The Shivling is shaped by line drawing as penis.  The Shivling sculpture making tradition was there in Katyuri Kingdom too.

               There are evidences that making the long Booted Sun sculpture system of Shaka-Kushan era were in tradition in Katyuri period too.

                The classic way/Gupta era of sculpturing was very much sustaining in Katyuri period.

            The auras of deity sculpture of Kushan era were simple but in classical sculpture the Prabhamandal or aura of deity sculpture are found decorated. The striking features of classical temple are its external ornamentation. The head of sculpture is decorated by lotus, leaves, flowers, gandharva, etc.

            The Har-Gauri; Mahishmardani, Vakratund Ganesh, Kartikey and Durga sculptures of seventh and tenth centuries are best sculpture of Uttarakhand.  The Sheshnag-Vishnu sculpture making was started in this time. Barah incarnation, Nrisigh Barah, Trimukh of Vishnu and Narsingh sculptures were also moulded in this time.  In some Vishnu sculpture, Lakshmi is also seen.

                   The sculptors used brown stone for carving sculpture. The polishing is so marvelous that sculpture look like as if made by black stone. The polishing is so durable that till date the sculptures are erosion less. The stone was available in Uttarakhand.

                Lakhamandal, Haridwar (Mayapur), Barahat, Ranihat, Shrinagar, Adi badri, Joshimath, Baijnath, Jageshwar, Bageshwar were the main sculpture producing centers of Katyuri era.

 The Veerbhadra, Ganpati with Saptmatrika, Kartikey, Har-Gauri, Vishnu, Durga, lakshmi narayn and Alinganmudra sculptures are beautiful figures of this age.

                 The Samudramanthan sculpture of Jheenvarhedi village (Haridwar) is one of the best sculptures of Katyuri period. The emotions of demons and deities are clearly visible in the sculptures. The deities are shown as sages with long bearded and demons are shown as Shak with caps, low grown beard and bony face.

          According to Rahul, the famous Katyuri period Akhand Hari-Gauri sculpture of Kalimath temple is the best among all Akhandit Hari-Gauri idols. The beauty on these sculptures is emotional and fine as the sculptures of Ajanta. Shiv ia Chaturbhuj and Gauri is dwibhuj. Shiva is in Lalitasnasth and Guari is Bhudharsuta forms.  

                        Difference among Other Sculptures of this Era

               The sculptures of Khajuraho, Bhuvneshwar and Kangda of this Age are erotic but the sculture of Katyuri Age are completely religious.

  The saddest part is that the marvelous craftsmen did not mention their names on any sculptures.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti -bckukreti@gmail.com 9/8/2013

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

                           

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued… Part -118

Early Asian Medieval History of Katyuri Dynasty in Kumaon, Garhwal and Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued…29

        (Oriental Early Medieval History (740-1100 AD to be continued…)

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Notes on Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures of Early Middle Age l Asia ; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Joshimath Garhwal of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Kalimath Garhwal of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Chamoli Garhwal of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Rudraprayag Garhwal of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Tehri Garhwal of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Uttarkashi Garhwal of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Adibadri Garhwal of North Indian Early Middle Age l Asia  Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Shrinagar Garhwal of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Pauri Garhwal of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Lakhamandal Garhwal of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures inDehradun  Garhwal of North Indian Early Middle Age al Asia; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Beerbhadra Garhwal of North Indian Early Middle Age l Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Haridwar  of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Baijnath Kumaon  of North Indian Early Middle Age l Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Jageshwar Kumaon  of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Bageshwar Kumaon  of North Indian Early Middle Age Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Pithoragarh Kumaon  of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Champawat Kumaon  of North Indian Early Medieval Asia epoch; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Nainital Kumaon  of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Almora Kumaon  of North Indian Early Medieval Asia Era; Salient Features of Katyuri Sculptures in Udham Singh Nagar Kumaon  of North Indian Early Middle Age  Asia period