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Forerunner of Mighty Angkor?


Forerunner of Mighty Angkor?
Information sur la photo
Copyright: Angshuman Chatterjee (Angshu) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 170 N: 7806] (25466)
Genre: Lieux
Média: Couleur
Date de prise de vue: 2007-10-17
Catégories: Architecture, Ruines
Appareil photographique: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5, Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT 36 - 432mm
Versions: version originale, Workshop
Carnet de voyage: Himachal Pradesh - The Land of Gods
Thème(s): My Stitched Photos [view contributor(s)]
Date de soumission: 2008-06-30 23:54
Vue: 432
Points: 28
[Ligne directrice - Note] Note du photographe
The Rock Cut Temples of Masroor (Masrur)

Nothing great about this picture IMO, but it’s from a place which has got immense historical importance & a landmark historical theory attached to it. Taken this shot from the precarious (slippery, rounded stony) roof of the temple complex, where I climbed through narrow & steep stairs. This is actually a stitch of two pictures & gives a view of the general environment as well.

Located 32 km from Kangra, Masroor is famous for remarkable group of rock cut temples. Nobody knows for certain when these magnificent rock cut temple of Masroor was built. Once consisting of fourteen shikharas (spires), most of which have fallen down or are very badly damaged by the earthquake which hit this area in April 1905. From the figures of Lord Shiva somewhat evident on the facades, it is believed that the temple was built dedicated to Him. In the absence of inscriptions and other epigraphic records, but on the basis of architectural & sculptural decorations, this temple has been assigned a period of 8th – 9th century AD.

Unique architecture: Extensive research has been carried out on this temple & it was concluded that there is no other temple in India -

(1) which is single rock cut and on the top of the hill... Other three such rock cut temples of Ellora and Damnar being in the pit and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram near Chennai) being on the surface.

(2) Its Shikaras are not north Indian fountain style(Nagra) but resembling southern style of pyramidical gopuram.

(3) Entire structure complex does not resemble typical Hindu temple, but has striking resemblance to Angkor of Cambodia or the other temples in Angkor complex like East Mebon or Pre Rup. One look at the Workshop, which gives a standard but better overview of the Masroor temple complex, & comparing with the temple of Pre Rup in the Angkor complex & the similarity is striking.

Western scholars reporting visits to Masroor have considered it a cluster of single-towered temples or shrines — the largest at the center — that were carved and excavated to honor various deities and rulers. Looking at the ruins that day in June 2004, Pennsylvania University Professor Michael Meister thought otherwise. He judged that the complex of towers had been designed in the 8th century as a single temple to the god Shiva and that, besides having been severely damaged by earthquakes, it had never been finished. Further, he began to suspect that Masroor could prove to be an exciting historical link, a hitherto unrecognized forerunner of the "temple mountains" of Cambodia that culminated in the multi-towered, brilliantly carved 12th-century Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Meister's paper supporting this view was the cover article in the March 2006 issue of the "Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians".

So, is this little known temple from Masroor, a predecessor of Cambodian world heritage temples which followed four hundred years later? An enigma & a so far unsolved mystery.
kiwi_explorer, riclopes, ChrisJ, feather, ramesh_lalwani, pierrefonds, josepmarin, emjleclercq, adores trouve(nt) cette note utile
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A riclopes: Building in the BGAngshu 1 07-01 02:34
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Angshuman,
It is nice to see mankind leaving such wonderful legacy rather than just destroying the world around him. Beautiful architecture and I'm glad someone had the foresight to preserve it for the next generation to enjoy. Well captured and composed. As usual your notes is very informative and interesting. I see you were still using your old camera on this shot ... I won't be surprise if you are planning a long holiday to road test your new camera :) Anyway, all the best to you and your family.
Cheers,
Renier

Olá Angshu, I agree that this isn't a spectacular photo but I surely support it as it brings surprising and interesting information about a place that has almost no representation in TE. It striked me the similarities with Angkor style. Not sure if this is the best one, but the whole set is well chosen to show us the place and we can see a tiny human element in all of them. In this picture, I like the orange figure passing by, but don't like much the building in the background. Superb informative note.
Best regards,
ricardo

  • Great 
  • ChrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 8776 W: 923 N: 11778] (57323)
  • [2008-07-01 2:44]

Namaste Angshuman

Yes, I've also read that the Ankorean & also Javan civilisations were profoudly influenced by Indian culture. Bali is a remnant that survives. Tfs! I never knew this place existed.

Hi Angshuman,
Beautiful and picturesque scenery :] Nice composition, colours and lighting, well framed.
Georg

Bonjour, cher ami Angshu,
Décidément, c'est une véritable mine. Je crois que je vous avais déjà dit qu'il fallait publier un livre de vos albums, je réitère cette possibilité tant vos photographies nous font découvrir des merveilles.
Amitiés.
Philippe

I appreciate and understand your reasons for choosing this as your main post over the one in the WS as it shows more clearly the uniqueness of the construction, but as an image I prefer the one you have in the WS. That one also show more clearly the similarity to Angkor architecture. All-in-all it is a wonderful and interesting presentation. An enigma indeed. Good work
Kath

Lovely POV and note.I like your W/S Anshuman.You can post it also for comments..

Hi Angshuman,

The reflections in the water and the rock formation in the foreground are asset to the composition. The presence of the people has an effect of scale. The stitch of the two pictures gave good results. The trees are framing the house in the background. The light is enhancing the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

  • Great 
  • Gerrit Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4305 W: 88 N: 5304] (25642)
  • [2008-07-01 7:14]

Hi Angshu,
great how rocks and statues are one here. Fine composition.
Regards, Gerrit

Hi Angshuman,
A good stitch, with good graphical result and quality of image.
The place that you us present in your photo is very interesting and your note gives us a great information.
I like the light and the shades playing on this rock cut temple, and also such a harmonic setting with its elements well organized.
It is a good work, my friend.
Best regards,
Josep

Unusual point of view, with a very good depth thanks to the opining on the right of the image. The idea of carving the temple directly in the rock seems primitive but gives a testimony of the faith of the workers, since it does not seem to be a very easy building material.

All the best,

Emmanuel

  • Great 
  • adores Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2801 W: 53 N: 3966] (12657)
  • [2008-07-02 17:50]

Hi Angshuman!
This is not an usual place here, I believe. I guess it's the first time I'm seeing it. In fact, it looks a little like Cambodia. In spite of the damages, we can still see the details on the stone. Good light and colours. I also like the Ws, they give a good idea of the place.

Ola Angshuman ,
Que belos detalhes artísticos nesta rochas , magnificas ruínas , bonitas , parabéns!!
Um abraço
Gonçalo

  • Great 
  • crckt Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1402 W: 68 N: 1315] (6815)
  • [2008-07-11 8:31]

Hi Angshumanda,
I think this photo is underrated. Good capture of the rocks, I like this POV. The WS is good too, it actually shows the similarity better.
Thanks for sharing,
Shaeri

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