Paradise of Murals rediscovered, Laxmi Temple, Part I
Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India
-RohitKumar Parmar
Pic LaxOrc-01 Triangular face of Laxmi Temple
Laxmi temple an important tourist attraction in Orchha is dedicated to Goddess of wealth and prosperity -Laxmi, sans (without) an idol of Laxmi. The temple was built by V(B)ir Singh Deo and restored/ reconstructed by Prithvi Singh in 1793, since its condition worsened due to inadequate maintenance.
The temple is a geometrical wonder, with the sanctum in a rectangular shrine, housed in a triangular structure (Pic LaxOrc-01) with an octagonal tower/s. (Pic LaxOrc-02)
The temple built using lime, mortar and bricks has a unique style, a beautiful mix of fort and temple architecture, with slots for cannons to be used during wars. The temple is located on a hillock (a triangular one, which may explain the outer shape of the temple) offering a grand view of Orchha (Pic LaxOrc-03 & Pic LaxOrc-04) and also making it visible from a distance.
Pic LaxOrc-02 View of an Octaganol Tower, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-03 Sign board of Laxmi Temple and a view of Orchha, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-04 View of monuments of Orchha, Laxmi Temple
The walls and ceilings of rooms in the shrine are decorated with mural paintings, covering mythological stories and themes, to history and warfare, to day to day life, to sports and entertainment.
There are two mural/ paintings (of the many) where a lady is assisted by a sakhee (maid) as she's getting ready. (Pic LaxOrc-05 & Pic LaxOrc-06). Even though the two paintings look similar, there are differences that could as well make a `spot the difference’ contest. However, the two paintings were accidentally snapped, and it is only at the writing stage, this author discovered that these were separate paintings.
To avoid such misunderstanding and even otherwise, all rooms in the Laxmi Mandir need to be wing and floor-wise serial numbered, and suitably named. This will aid a visitor to visit a room/ painting of his choice. Each room’s paintings need to be numbered without tampering with the existing walls. Each painting needs to be photographed, followed by a description of the same.
The two murals have designs in detail, one can even see the folds/ pleats/ print or pattern of the saree/ dress of the lady and the sakhee. The stylish maang-tika, earrings, bangles, anklets and other jewellery can also be seen. The distinctly beautiful lady standing on a chowki (low stool) adorning herself, is assisted by the sakhee, holding what appears to be a mirror.
Pic LaxOrc-05 First mural of a lady and sakhee, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-06 Second mural of a lady and sakhee, Laxmi Temple
There are several similar murals in the following pictures. These require several additional hours of detailing and possible retake of the pictures.
The murals in the Laxmi temple are invaluable and need to be preserved through a collective effort of the central and state government, respective archaeological organizations and all stake holders. The form of preservation needs to cover several stages, first among which is the need to prevent further deterioration.
Pic LaxOrc-07 Mural of a lady in a garden with a lady guard, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-08 Mural of a royal lady and sakhee in a garden, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-09 Mural of a royal and a lady, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-10 Mural of a well attired lady on a chowki, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-11 Mural of royal lady seated with a luxurious cushion, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-12 Mural of a royal lady seated on a high chair, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-13 Mural of a royal on an elephant, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-14 Mural of decorated royal on horse back, Laxmi Temple
Public visiting these places need to be provided a visitors book and requested to sign on the same any comments they like to offer, instead of the walls of Laxmi Mandir and/or other historical places. (Pic LaxOrc-15 and others). There is no pride in scribbling on the walls and damaging the same by stating -Who you are? or Who loves whom?
Pic LaxOrc-15 Mural of a lady alone on an Elephant, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-16 Mural of a sage, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-17 Murals of a sage and royal, Laxmi Temple
The men in the murals are well adorned with trimmed and proud moustaches and/ or beards. In at least three murals there is smoking of a hookah (shisha). (Pic LaxOrc-18 to Pic LaxOrc-20). In the first (Pic LaxOrc-18), the man (possibly a Royal) is wearing bead necklaces, armlet, bracelet, anklets, earrings and is seated comfortably with a supporting large gaddi (cushion). The man wearing a turban (headgear), sports a proud and well manicured moustache. As stated earlier, this and the other pictures can be detailed, which one of the archaeological organizations should take up as a task, in coordination with specialists in the field.
Pic LaxOrc-18 Mural of a royal smoking a hookah, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-19 Mural of a man smoking a hookah, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-20 Mural of a lady smoking a hookah, Laxmi Temple
Wrestling duels appear to be an important entertainment/ sport, depicted in two murals, portraying two men engaged in it. (Pic LaxOrc-21 to Pic LaxOrc-22). In the first mural there is third person, possibly a referee. In both the murals, there is display of weapons like sword and shield in the background.
Pic LaxOrc-21 Mural of a wrestling duel with a referee, Laxmi Temple
Pic LaxOrc-22 Mural of a wrestling duel, Laxmi Temple
This IT based activity of chronicling pictures, should be done by students (in subjects like history, archaeology, art, culture, tourism) being requested to study, photograph and detail each image/ statute in the Laxmi Temple, which in addition to being displayed at the site, should also be available on a central website of the ASI, linked to all institutions on the subject across the globe. This could form an optional subject/paper/activity for students in select subjects. It could also be a periodic award winning contest.
The present much touted sound and light shows need to be replaced/ supplemented with a picture presentation, also available on the television/ other visual forms, in the rooms in Orchha/ Madhya Pradesh/ India, to vet the appetite of the potential traveller.
At present there is a multi-lingual audio system, where in a wireless audio earphone, on feeding the number of the exhibit, gives audio details of the same. This needs to be replaced by apps, that can be connected to the central website, so that it can be viewed at any location and at the convenience of the viewer, through a bar code/ number.
Some of these historical monuments also house the offices of the respective archaeological departments, which needs to be discontinued. Civil works, especially permanent lighting, which damage the monument, needs to be discontinued and replaced with removable solar/other powered lamps.
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