BABOUR TEMPLES OF JAMMU

              

BABOUR TEMPLES, MANWAL, UDHAMPUR..

Photographs of Devi Bhagwati Temple of Babour ( Manwal ) 

(Photos by Avtar Mota )

Udhampur district of Jammu has many old temples and Bowlies(water springs) some of which  relate to ancient and early medieval periods. The temples of Manwal, Ladan Kotli and Kirmachi fall in this category.

 

The Manwal  ( Babour) temples were built around 10th and 11th centaury AD. Believed to be five in number , presently three temples are seen in Manwal that can be attributed to Babour  period . The Nandi  Temple , Shiva Temple and Devi Bhagwati Temple. Devi Bhagwati temple,  is a treasure house in terms of architecture and  profusely carved  images  on stones. One can see  Nandi , Natesha( dancing Shiva) , Standing Ganesha ,  saint and soldier images , human images and geometrical decorations  on stones . A mixture of Kashmirian and Kalinga style of temple architecture  , the Devi Bhagwati temple is a little be place where Pooja is still performed . It is maintained and protected by ASI. Babour  temples are dedicated to Shiva , Shakti and Vishnu .  Characteristics  of  Kashmirian style of stone temple Construction are  vividly  visible in  Devi Bhagwati  Temple .

 These temples fall in ancient or early medieval route to Kashmir valley and are believed to have been built by  Bhabruvahan  whose’s kingdom was known as Babbarpur ( presently known as Babour or Manwal ). Manwal is about 70 km from Jammu and is approachable  from three sides ; first from Samba on samba Udhampur road ,then from Jammu  via Dhansaal and  also from lake Surinsar . Manwal also falls on Jammu Udhampur rail track .

(Avtar Mota)                                                               

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