Architecture & Aesthetics of Kamakhya Temple
The Hybrid Style of Kamakhya’s Temple Architecture
The Architecture of Kamakhya Temple and the network of temples of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex is a fusion of Nagara and indigenous style of Temple Architecture. The Kamakhya Temple is cruciate ratha type of Bada upon which a polygonal bulbous dome called Garbha Griha, Chalanta, Pancha Ratna, and Nat Mandir are strategically placed. The outer walls of the elevation are delicately ornamented by stunningly beautiful sculptures. This development of the hybrid style of Architecture continued from the Kochi Kings to the Ahom kings of Assam.
Structural Components of Kamakhya Temple
Structural Components of Kamakhya Temple
The structural composition includes Garbha Griha, Chalanta, Pancha Ratna, and Nat Mandir. There are 3 access gates to the Kamakhya Temple: North Gate (Shakti Smridhi Dvara), West Gate (Moksha Dvara), and West Gate (Annapurna Dvara). The Bhog Ghar (Temple Kitchen used for ritualistic purposes) is adjacent to Annapurna Dvara, and Bhoga (cooked items offered to the deities residing inside the Chalanta and Garbha Griha) is taken through this gate.
Apart from the above, there are two access gates to the Kamakhya Temple campus. In the east, the Bhag Dvara (Tiger Gate) and in the west, the Simha Dvara (Lion Gate). Both these gates are decorated with beautifully carved sculptures.
Structural Plan of Kamakhya Temple
Structural Components of Kamakhya Temple
Sketch of the Elevation of Garbha Griha
Garbha Griha
The Garbha Griha houses the Peetha of Devi Kamakhya (Devi Tripura Sundari), Devi Matangi (Devi Saraswati), and Kamala (Devi Lakshmi), the main deity. The Garbha Griha is a small cave-like dark space below the ground level with a narrow stone stair from the Chalanta area.
Chalanta
The Chalanta hall houses the movable idol of Devi Kameshwari & Kameshwara in a Simhasana, Batuk Bhairava, stone inscriptions of King Naranayana and Chilarai, and other curious sculptures. The Chalanta hall is built on 12 pillars at the center arranged in a rectangular manner. The east gate of the Chalanta hall connects the Garbha Griha, the west gate connects Pancha Ratna, and the north gate leads to the sacred Saubhagya Kunda. The roof of the Chalanta hall has dome-like structures identical to the Shikhara of the Garbha Griha.
Pancha Ratna
The Pancha Ratna Hall is a square chamber like Chalanta. Pancha Ratna houses the idol of Devi Chamunda, the altar of Devi Manasa, and the walls are adorned with curious sculptures. The ceiling of the hall is supported by four structures resembling a wall-like formation. On the roof, there are five Shikharas-like dome structures, four in the corners and one in the middle of the hall. There are two gates in the Pancha Ratna Hall: the east gate connects with Chalanta, and the west gate connects to the Nat Mandir. Pancha Ratna is used for performing ritualistic events
Nat Mandir
Nat Mandir has an apsidal frontage and a ridged roof similar to the Ranghar complex of the Ahom Kingdom located in Sivasagar. Technically, the roof of Nat Mandir is known as Gajapristha (Elephant back). On the western tip of the roof, there is a dragon-like sculpture, which can be found in some other structures built by the Ahom kings. Nat Mandir has six gates with significant width, and the dragon-like terracotta sculpture can also be seen on the upper side of the walls of each gate.
On both sides of the wall of the eastern gate of the Nat Mandir, life-sized idols of Devi Durga and Lord Shiva can be seen, and the other walls are decorated with interesting sculptures. Also, on both sides of the floor of the eastern gate of the Nat Mandir, there are two huge stone platforms, and looking at the inner construction and location of these stone platforms, it can be understood that the space of the Nat Mandir was used for performing ritualistic music, devotional songs, and dance performances. In fact, the space of the Nat Mandir is still used for the annual Debaddhani Ritualistic Dance Festival.
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