Well, then I present to you, the leaning temples of India. - Huma and Ratneshwar Mahadev Mandir
HUMA, SAMBALPUR
There are three temples of Huma the main temple along with two small temples the main temple is dedicated to lord Bimaleswar while the other two temples are dedicated to Bhairo and Bhairavi Devi .
Driving into a little history, the main temple was first built by Emperor Anangabhima Deva-III while it was renovated by King Ballar Singh, the fifth Chauhan king. The other two temples were built during the rule of Ajit Singh.
Now, if you notice carefully the main temple is actually tilted in one direction while the other two temples are tilted in another direction. And it is not only the temple that is tilted but also the gates and boundary.
It is interesting to note that the reason of the tilt is still unknown. There is no architectural default and the fact that the main temple was built way before the other two just elimnates the suspicion of it being a creative idea.
Some belief that the tilt happened due to the shifting of rock beds below. Which is a possible theory since the temple is situated on the banks of river Mahanadi.
But!
Let me tell you I had the luck of visiting that place and came to know some interesting facts from the locals.
One of them is that anything that is built on that land gets tilted.
Astonishing !
But true since, it is not only the temple that is tilted but the small shops near it are also slightly tilted. That is everything on the temple premises is tilted.
Some belief that the tilt could be because of some unknown geological factors but if that was the case then why is it that the tilt has not changed at all and not to mention the tilting at different angles.
Interesting, is the fact that even though the edifice of temple is tilted the pinnacle remains perpendicular and the centre of gravity is so well balanced that the mysterious tilting has also not disrupted the architectural structure.
But if you think that the leaning nature of temple is the only interesting thing, then you are so wrong!
The legends revolving around this temple are even more intriguing than the temple itself.
The first one is how the Huma wad found. The story revolves around a cow and milkman.
Yeah you heard me right no need to make faces.
So, this milkman was curious when he found the cow's uder dry everyday, so one day he followed his cow ( I have never heard about a cow stalker before. Well, there is always a first time right!). He saw her secreting the milk on a stone that was absorbing it.
(Ok so now we have a milk drinking stone)
On observing further he noticed that the stone looked like a linga, ( a structure that is the symbol of lord Shiva).
After this episode everyone thought that place was holy and decided to built a shrine there. This is how the temple of Huma came into existence.
As I said before the temple is not the only attractive feature of Huma, just beyond it lies the eye capturing Mahanadi, for all the travellers here, it is a site to see.
The water is so clear that you can see the grass below and also the large swarms of fishes.
A certain type of fishes called Kudo fish are considered sacred and so fishery is completely banned here. Feeding the fishes are as seen as holy guestures.
Now, time for the second legend.
There are two abnormally large fishes in this waters. These special fishes are said to be seen only during shivratri. And anyone who sees at least one of them is considered to be immensely lucky and something good will happen to them while if they see both of the, one of their wishes will be granted.
This legend somehow remind me of a story I used to hear in childhood, of three magical, colourful fishes that also use to grant wishes and were sacred but whenever they were caught for the king , they used to magically vanish from the kitchen and reappear in the pond.
Now, most of you will laugh at wish granting fishes at first I had the same thought, I mean I believe there could be those fishes but come on wish granting fishes are a little far fetched.
But it was in the hotel that we were staying that we heard the story to be true. The manager of the hotel told us that those fishes are almost 6 feet large and there are some people who saw them , he himself had seen one. Another thing that he said was something good and unexpected did happen to those who saw these special fishes.
I seriously don't know if the linga still drinks milk or if the fishes really have wish granting powers. But if anyone is lucky enough to see them please wish for Corona to leave us alone.
Ratneshwar Mahadev Mandir, Varanasi
Besides being a leaning temple, it is also partially submerged underwater for most of year.
Unlike Huma, Ratneshwar temple is situated on the waterfront, of Mahakarnika ghat. It is the major tourist attraction of the city with a tilt of 9 degrees i.e. five degrees more than Leaning tower of Pisa.
So, travellers this is another place to add to your bucket list after Corona is gone.
Still not convinced to visit.
Well, then let me tell you about the history and legend of temple.
Now there is a debate on who actually built the temple . So, it could have beern built by a servant of Raja Man Singh of Amer, or a servant of Ahilya Bai Holkar or by Baziya Bai , queen of Gwalior.
According to one of the legend it was built by a servant of Raja Man Singh for his mother. but after the completion of temple , he proudly boasted that he has repaid the debt to his mother. Since the debt of a mother can never be fulfilled so she cursed this temple and it began to fall backwards.
Well, at least we have some sort of mythical explanation about the tilt.
BUT!
Let me be honest neither you nor i believe this theory
i don't know your reason but my reason is this picture.
It seems Ratneswar was not the ony leaning temple built on waterfront.
There is this widely accepted theory, that the other temples were washed away by the current of Ganges and Ratneswar was the only temple to have survived.
But won't there be anything left behind, anything at all, that shows that these temples ever existed.
Not only that, in some rare early paintings the Ratneswar temple is shown uptight, suggesting that the temple may have started tilting in early tweentienth century.
So , the culprit of the tilt was some structural defect and high current of water.
Now the question is, Why is the temple built on waterfront?
was the temple always meant to be submerged in water? if yes then why?
Not to mention if other temples are washed away, then Ratneswar is also threatened to vanish one day without trace.
A temple is built for religious offerings but if the shrine of the temple is almost always underwater, then how can some one do the required? Is it's sole purpose religious offering or something entirely different!
Hope we uncover the answers, one day.
Till then tell me your conspiracy theories about these temples, which one do you like more and would love to visit (in the comment section).
Archie
( blue rose belles)
