Govind Sagar Lake rose, giving birth to the “temple of modern India”.
Inhabited, today, on the bank of river Sutlej, Bilaspur- a town of temples is only a pale shadow of what it was. The Palaces, houses and temples were submerged in 1963; on the filling up of the Bhakhra Dam. There were many temples frozen in stones for centuries. The beautiful edifices stood high, through the ancient civilizations till they succumbed to ‘submergence’.
A rich treasurer of temple legacy and countless sacred idols was lost with the loss of the old town. The eight left of the 28, have withstood the test of time. The rest are either buried in the silt or have been swayed away by the strong currents of the river.
· Beyond seasonal submergence, the magnificent dome-shaped- stone-built rooftops are in sight; the edifices stand tall on the bare sandy lake bed.
The robust construction has helped them survive despite being submerged for decades. From a distance, they look like small haystacks in water amid the deep cracks cut into the barren banks.
The oldest temple is the Ranganath temple which belongs to the 8th century CE. Some carvings are close in style to the late Pritahara period.
- These iconic structures of architectural beauty and grandeur are antiquities of immense value. In terms of sheer size and ornamentation, many are more complex, comprising antechambers with sloping roofs.
Bridging the age gap and time gap, the construction tells of a rich legacy of tradition and culture. Most of these temples were built in the classical ‘Nagara Style’ and had remarkable architectural features; many having various styles of paintings.
Perhaps, the paintings and models of the submerged temples were prepared and installed as part of a research study on the architectural characteristics of the Stone Age and Middle Period.
- To protect the temples, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) mooted a proposal for translocation of the temples to a higher ground.
The objective is the in situ restoration of the left of structures on the islands to be reclaimed. Accordingly, the State Departments of Language Art & Culture and Tourism are putting their hands together towards raising funds. Architectural components to be added are to enhance the prospects of tourism. Shore protection works, Architectural Design, and firming up of Conceptual layout for securing the requisite clearances from various statutory bodies; are all included.
The intention is to prioritise the implementation of the project. Director (Projects)-cum-Chief Engine, HPRIDC (Himachal Pradesh Road and Other Infrastructure Corporation Ltd.,) Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, GOI, BBMB; all are involved. The construction giant Larsen and Toubro is associated as the detailed project report (DPR) consultant.
- Presently, there is a concept design towards salvaging and in situ restoration of submerged temples at the artificial Islands identified to be at ‘Nale ka Naun’ & ‘Sandu ka Maidan’. The islands will be connected with cable-stayed bridges.
Apart from the restoration of temples, new tourist attractions will be built, including architectural works with a focus on Vedic culture and spirituality. Ferry facilities will be developed, besides pathways connecting these ferry facilities. Shore Protection works, Architectural Design, and firming up of Conceptual layout for securing the requisite clearances from various statutory bodies; are all included.
Boat jetties, riverfront development, Vedic centres, handicraft shops, and statues of deities; each expedition here may turn out to be a work of art in itself. The project will not only restore the legacy of Bilaspur but also establish it as a tourist destination.
Mr. Tsering Phunchok, Superintendent Archaeological Survey of India, Shimla Circle, drew my attention to the archaeological relics at Nagarjunakonda after the construction of the Nagarjunasagar Dam submerged the original site.
https://hillpost.in/2017/11/broken-heritage/109648/
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Prof. (Er.) Chander P Mahajan is an art critic & a free lance journalist. The Environmentalist stays in Shimla and Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, India.
