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Two temples are located in the complex of
Mansa Devi. The main temple is dedicated to Mansa who is worshipped in the
sanctum sanctorum both in the form of ‘pindi’ as well as in her
anthropomorphic form executed on a marble. In the sanctum sanctorum she is
worshipped with Devi Saraswati and Lakshmi in the form of Pindi (Stone
pebbles). Originally the pindis were only worshipped by the devotees. However,
in modern times a marble bust of the deity was got sculpted for giving an
attractive human look (form) to the deity. She is beautifully decorated with
crown and other ornaments.
Interestingly the architecture of the main temple (Mansa Devi) is not in
consonance with the Shivalik region where usually a typical ‘ Nagara’ or
curvilinear spira temples were erected. This is in sharp contrast to the
environment of the region as the main temple manifests a typical mogul
architecture represented by domes and minarets.
Architecturally speaking the temple has been built in Panchayatana pattern in
which at four cardinal corners stand four shrines with the main shrine (fifth
shrine) being located the centre.
All the five temples show four minarets at four corners with a cupola on its
top. The domes are onion shaped and stand on an elongated circulator drum. The
facade of the temple shows miniature vaulted alcoves.
In sharp contrast to the Mansa Devi temple, Patiala temple has a typical ‘
nagara’ curvelinear spire with miniature shrines decorated on its body from
bottom to top of the spire. This architectural a style definitely goes in
consonance with the shivalik background. The colossal temple is built in
pancharatha style with four projections or transected parts on its four sides
bearing semi pyramidal conical spires on the tops.
These are called 'shikkars' or cronical shapes on the main domes.
In the sanctorum the Devi is worshipped in its anthropomorphic form sculpted
on marble. The bust is enshrined in a silver plated small vaulted shrine
showing a beautiful decoration of silver embossing works throughout the body
of the miniature vaulted shrine. Here also the pindi (stone) is worshipped
along with the marble bust.
The
architecture of the main temple
has mughal features but this temple has a covered 'Parikarma', which is a
salient features of Hindu art & architecture. Patiala temple on the other
hand has Hindu features in its architecture, but it has an open Parikarma,
which is in marked departure from the traditional Hindu architecture.
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