THE ANCIENT TEMPLES OF KIRAMCHI
Chitti Chitti…bang! Bang!.....oh no this is not a comic strip ….it is real time streaming ...rather real time action by the Indian army against militancy in the much-in-news J and K region that finds its pride of place in the majestic Newer Himalayan ranges. These ranges also house some of the most beautiful valleys of the world and many a temples and places of pilgrim interest like the Amarnath and Kedarnath caves and Mansarovar .
Little known to mankind, safely ensconced and hidden in a quaint little town called Udhampur which is the Head Quarter of the Northern Command of the Indian Army are a group of astounding Shiva temples with marvelous architecture surprisingly well maintained by the ASI. Although very little is known of the historical background of these temples it is interesting to note that small groups of tourists interested in ancient structures and places of archaeological interest have been visiting the place to marvel at the stone structures which stand untainted by the harsh weather conditions of nature since the beginning of the post Gupta period.
Kiramachi as the temples are known is located 67 kms from Jammu and is cradled between two rivulets called the Birunala and the Kiramchi. They are 5 temples built on an elevated platform all but one facing east. They consist of garbhagriha with curvilinear shikaras and an elongated antaral and a sukhanasika decorated with kuta and kalasha. The pillars are decorated with pumaghata pot and foliage design and one cant but wonder about the vast knowledge of engineering and talent in stone carving that the artists of those times possessed. The 1st temple is the most developed and elaborately ornamented. It depicts large size moldings, niches for asthadikpalas and saptmatrikas in addition to parshvadevtas. This is the nagara style of architecture.
According to legendary accounts, Raja Kichack a contemporary of The Pandavas of Mahabharata had laid the foundation to this place. Yet another legend says the Kiramchi was the capital of Bhuti in the Jammu region under the successors of Daya-Karan a ruler of Kashmir. In recent times the ASi in the course of trial escavations discovered a no. of terracotta figurines, copper coins, iron arrowheads, beads of semi precious stones pestles, querns and earthern pots datable to the late Gupta period that ran a length between circa 320-circa 540 CE!
A visit to this exotic but sadly in frequented place, will provide ample proof ,if proof is necessary, that the ancient rulers of the place were Hindu Rajas, who have through their devotion to religion and faith in their future, immortalized this great land of ours and ensured an eternal place in history by building enchanting temples of exquisite beauty . The place and its undying serenity and grandeur remind visitors of the oneness and vastness of this great indivisible country, unshaken by relentless assaults on its people land and culture. These are reminders that this country is unconquerable and will march on forever with undiminished glory
GUIDE . Lattitude 32053’N
Longitude 75 07’E
LOCATION 67 kms from Jammu on the Udhampur – Lander road.
ELEVATION 730m above sea level.
