Tirhut style temples

Tirhut style temples[1] also called Tirhut types temples[2][3] or Tirhut temples refers to the indigenous style of temples architecture in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent. It was categorised by the American archeologist David Brainerd Spooner after his survey and studies of the temples in the region during the British Raj era.[4] These temples were built by the kings of the Mithila region during their regimes.[5][6]

In the 19th century D B Spooner studied the type of temples in the region. In his studies, he found a rhythm in the architectural aspect of the construction of the temples buildings in the region.[5] He noted that the temples were square shaped. The walls of the these temples were perfectly plain and undecorated. The surfaces of the walls and roof were equally painted without any decoration carving.[2] The roofs of the temples were sloped.[5]

View of a Tirhut style temples at Videshwar Sthan.

In the field of architecture, Mithila's temples construction displays its uniqueness. Almost every king of Mithila commissioned large-scale temple construction in the region. The colonial archeologist D B Spooner recognised the uniqueness and called Tirhut style.[7] Several temples of the Tirhut art style are preserved at different places in the region.[2]

Tirhut types temple of Baba Mukteshwar Nath Mahadev Mandir at the Deohar village in the Madhubani district of the Mithila region.

Characterisation

D B Spooner characterised the Tirhut type temples as utilitarian in character. The temple has a small square room that contains image or sculpture of the deities. It has narrow portico.[8] The Tirhut type temple has a shikhara. According to Spooner, the style of the shikharas of the Tirhut type temples are free from the influence of Odisha models as well as Benares type Bengal temple.[9]

View of the Shikhara of the Baba Gangeshwar Nath Mahadev Mandir in the Darbhanga district.

The Tirhut style of temple is essentially tripartite in structure. It typically comprises cella (sanctum), tower, and porch (veranda). The porch is a later addition to the structure.[3]

View of a dome shaped roof (tower) on the Basbaria Mahadev Mandir near Saharghat village in the Madhwapur block.

References

  1. ↑ Banerjee, N. R. (1980). Nepalese Architecture. Agam. p. 204.
  2. 1 2 3 Thakur, Upendra (1981). Madhubani Painting. Abhinav Publications. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-391-02411-3.
  3. 1 2 Spooner, David Brainerd (1916). Temple Types in Tirhut. Bihar and Orissa Government Press.
  4. ↑ Choudhury, Pranab Chandra Roy (1965). Temples and Legends of Bihar. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
  5. 1 2 3 Thakur, Upendra (1956). History of Mithila: (circa 3000 B.C.-1556 A.D.). Mithila Institute. p. 384.
  6. ↑ Srivastava, Kamal Shankar (1999). Art of Mithila. Book Faith India. p. 9. ISBN 978-81-7303-117-5.
  7. ↑ Jhā, Kr̥shṇa Kumāra (2004). Mithilā kā sāmājika evaṃ sāṃskr̥tika jīvana: varṇaratnākara ke ādhāra para (in Hindi). Komala Prakāśana. p. 130.
  8. ↑ Society, Bihar Research (1957). The Journal of the Bihar Research Society. Bihar Research Society. p. 370.
  9. ↑ Rupam. O. C. Gangoly. 1922. pp. 45–45.
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