LAKSHMAN TEMPLE GAYA, A HISTORIC LEGACY IN RUINS

March 10, 2022

Lakshman Temple in ruins, Gaya (Source: Vikash Kumar)

It is believed that a creator gives his best to create a beautiful piece of art, which is then admired for its aesthetics. But who is responsible for adding beauty to the broken piece of columns, altered cornices, defaced carvings, damaged walls, broken capitals, faded inscriptions, collapsed shikhar and abstract assembly of columns. Who is responsible for adding beauty to the nature surrounding? Is this the TIME? …..Think! Yes Beauty in RUINS!......Architecture in RUINS!

Lakshman Temple frond entrance, Gaya (Source: Vikash Kumar)

The temple structure, believed to be dedicated to Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Ram, is situated on eastern bank of river Falgu, in very close proximity to the Sita Kund temple complex. The temple structure lies in the north of the Sita Kund temple complex in a very dilapidated condition, however endowed with its own beauty. The temple is endowed with beauty even in ruins. Mr. Rakesh Kumar Sinha ‘Ravi’, a writer, academician and a historian believe that this temple has been built by a Rajesthani family, who came to Gaya for performing Pind daan rituals in 17^th century. Earlier to this there might be a small temple dedicated to Lakshman, which was rebuilt by the family as a tribute in name of their ancestors. The temple structure seems to be very untouched and that is the reason, somehow it has been able to survive. Otherwise, when there would be human intervention, we would not be able to see the original essence and beauty of the structure. Human interventions might have razed off the original structure and what we would see today would be a concrete structure covered with shining tiles, glossy floors and stainless steel gates and what not….

Encroachment near Lakshman Temple, Gaya (Source: Author)

Lakshman Temple side entry, Gaya (Source: Vikash Kumar)

Lord Rama visited Gaya with Maa Sita and brother Lakshman for offering Pind to his deceased father King Dashrath. The story of the curse given to Falgu by Maa Sita is associated with her visit to Gaya. There is a temple complex dedicated to Maa Sita and other deities like Lord Ram, Hanuman, etc with several vedis housed in the Sita Kund temple complex. The temple complex has been developed recently under the HRIDAY Scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India in association with Gaya Municipal Corporation. The development work has increased the footfall to the temple complex. A park named Sita Vatika also attracts tourists giving a splendid view in the foothills. However, to a matter of surprise, the temple dedicated to Lakshman, in close proximity to the Sita kund temple complex has been untouched through decades.

Lakshman Temple: stone columns with carvings and mouldings, Gaya (Source: Author)

The Lakshman temple is one of the rare temples dedicated to Lakshman in all over India. Some historians have discussed this temple as one of the magnificent temples dedicated to Lakshman ji in eastern part of India. Presently the temple area is marked by the evil practice of encroachment by the villagers around. The temple structure is dilapidated and needs emergency rescue. The idol of Lakshman has been removed from the garbha griha. It is believed that there existed a human sized idol of Lakshman in the inner sanctum with a shiv-lingam in the mandapa. The roof of the mandapa has collapsed. The columns have been uprooted. Maybe the earthquake of 1934 and 1988 would be the reason. The height of the temple is nearly 50 feet with kalasha on the top. The shikhara has been built in brick mortar and the base of the temple along with the columns is in stone. The Kalash and the Amalaka has been damaged. The stone blocks have been interestingly interlocked with each other without the use of mortars. Cornices and carvings can be seen in the column base and top. The roof of the mandapa has been built with stone slabs, remains of which can even be seen today.

Lakshman Temple: front and side view, Gaya (Source: Vikash Kumar)

Lakshman Temple: stone masonry wall, Gaya (Source: Vikash Kumar)

The Lakshman temple and the surrounding areas has also been discussed by Peppé, Thomas Fraser, a British traveller and photographer during his visit to Gaya in 1870. He has described the site surrounding the Lakshman temple, river Falgu and the Andar Gaya areas.

“Photograph of old Gaya from the top of the hill on the opposite bank of Falgu river. The town of Gaya is situated on the bank of the Falgu river with the Rajgir Hills beyond. It is closely associated with Buddhism for its close vicinity to Bodhgaya but since the 10th century it has also been an important Hindu religious centre. The extant buildings date not earlier than the 18th century but there are also some remains of sculptures from the 9th-10th century Pala period.”

Lakshman Temple marked in circle with river Falgu in the backdrop, Gaya (Source: British Library)

Lakshman Temple marked in circle with river Falgu, Vishnupad temple, Andar Gaya and Brahmyoni hill in the backdrop, Gaya (Source: British Library)

The Lakshman temple needs emergency rescue in terms of restoration and preservation. The site has strong potential to be added in the “Ramayana Circuit” along with Sita Kund temple complex, which will enhance the tourist’s footfall to the site along with its importance worldwide. The pind vedis like Sita Kund, Ram Gaya can also be added in the Ramayana circuit, which will add on to the development of the whole region of the eastern bank of river Falgu along with the hill bounding Sita Vatika.