Situated on a small
hillock between two rivulets Birhama and Kirmachi at a distance of 12 km north
of Udhampur-Lander road, the group of temples are locally known as the Pandava
temples. The complex consists of five temples and two small shrines. All the
temples are facing east except Temple3. Temple 1,2,3 and two small shrines are
build on a common raised platform, whereas the Temple 4 is on a separate and
higher platform. Temple 5 is built at a lower level as compared to other
temples.
The temples on plan consist of a garbhagriha with curvilinear
shikhara and an elongated antarala with a sukanasika decorated with
kuta-shikhara and kalasa motif. Some of the temples have a pillared mandapa in
front of the antarala, which appears to have been added at a later date. Temple
2 has an intact mandapa, whereas all other temples are survived with the
remnants of mandapa. The temples are built either on triratha or pancharatha
plan externally and square internally. Inner walls of the antarala have trefoil
niches and a pattern of an inverted lotus flower on the ceiling under a double
tiered triangular roof.
Temple 3 marks the beginning of the architectural activity at
kirmachi. It is the oldest and smallest structure consisting of a square
sanctum with a pyramidal roof and an antarala provide with a wagon vaulted
roof. It is followed by Temple 2, more elaborate on plan and higher in
elevation. Its mandapa is entered through three trifoliate arches. It is
presumed that it had only plinths. Temple 4 marks the beginning of developed temple
architecture at Kiramachi. A chance discovery has revealed, that it stands on
earlier brick structure datable to the post Gupta period. It is followed by
Temple 5, its pillars shows remnants of sculptures most probably of river
goddesses. Temple 1 is most developed and elaborately ornamented. It depicts
large size mouldings, niches for astadikpalas and saptamatrikas in addition to
parsvadevtas.
During execution of conservation work a large number of
terracotta pestles, querns coins, iron arrowheads, beads of semi-precious
stone, pestles, querns and earthen pots were found. Besides, a hearth,
brick-platform and mud-platform belonging to the late-Gupta period also
exposed.
Kala Dera Temple – I,
Manwal, Dist. Udhampur
It is also built on a
high platform and preceded by a mandapa. The entrance is through a flight of
steps on the east. The superstructure is missing. The temple is on the high
platform, two jambs of the sanctum, the entrance way to the Mandapa and the
bases of four columns. The jambs of the entrance to the sanctum have two niches
each with arched tops. Between the sanctum and the mandapa is a porch which
also contains two smaller pillar bases. The four massive fluted columns have
recently been fixed on their bases. Externally the sanctum has both plain
moulding and geometrical designs. The walls of the basement have recently been
concerned. The noteworthy architectural members, lying at the site are fluted,
shafts, carved ceiling with inverted lotus flowers, pedestal of images and pillar
bases, besides two sculptures of dancing Siva, now exhibited in the sculpture
shed. The temple is assignable to circa 10th century A.D.
Kala Dera Temple – II,
Manwal, Dist. Udhampur
The temple is
Saptratha on plan externally and built on a raised platform approached by a
flight of steps on the east. The sikhara is intact on the western side and
externally the temple is adorned with plain projecting niches and offsets
bearing carving. On the west side there is makaramukha pranala through which
the water used to flow into a small rectangular cistern is carved out of a
single block. The roof of the mandapa was supported on four fluted columns
surmounted by capitals.
Besides the principal entrance, facing the central aisles, it
has two smaller entrances at the rear. The figures on the jambs of the door and
the porch are now defaced. Basements of the other two shrines are on the
south-east corner. The temple is assignable to crica 10th-11th century A.D.
Nand Babour Temple,
Manwal, Dist. Udhampur
Dedicated to Lord
Shiva, it is built on a high platform. It has three sanctums each preceded by
an antarala attached to a common mandapa. The jambs of the antarala and sanctum
are carved with figures of Ganga, Yamuna, Shiva & Parvati and that of
lintel with an image of Ganesa, flanked by Lakshmi and Parvati.
The ceiling of the mandapa is rested on small fluted columns
decorated with pot and foliage, motifs. Externally the temple is decorated with
mouldings, ornate pedimented niches and triangles. At the northern corner a
small subsidiary shrine containing an image of Ganesa has been exposed. Several
loose architectural members like amalka, fluted shafts etc. are lying at the
site. The temple is assignable to circa 10th-11th century A.D.
Dera Temple, Thalora,
District Udhampur:
Built on
a high rectangular platform, it is approached by a flight of steps on the west
side. It has two principal square sanctuaries divided from each other by an
ornate cell. Each of the sanctums is preceded by a porch having two fluted
pillars surmounted by a very ornamental vase and floral capitals. The ceiling
is of interlacing squares with expanded louts on top. The lintel and door jambs
of the doorway are profusely decorated with figures. The main sanctum has
makaramukha pranala. The frieze over the architrave above the columns of the
porch of the sanctuary on the northern side of the mandapa contains ornamented
Navagraha panel. In front of sanctum is a large pillared mandapa. The lower
half of the super-structure is intact and is decorated with mouldings,
pedimented niches and triangles with lotus flowers but the upper portion is missing. The temple is assignable to circa 10th
century A.D.
Dera Temple, Thalora,
District Udhampur:
Built on a high
rectangular platform, it is approached by a flight of steps on the west side.
It has two principal square sanctuaries divided from each other by an ornate
cell. Each of the sanctums is preceded by a porch having two fluted pillars
surmounted by a very ornamental vase and floral capitals. The ceiling is of
interlacing squares with expanded louts on top. The lintel and door jambs of
the doorway are profusely decorated with figures. The main sanctum has
makaramukha pranala. The frieze over the architrave above the columns of the
porch of the sanctuary on the northern side of the mandapa contains ornamented
Navagraha panel. In front of sanctum is a large pillared mandapa. The lower
half of the super-structure is intact and is decorated with mouldings,
pedimented niches and triangles with lotus flowers but the upper portion is
missing. The temple is assignable to circa 10th century A.D.
