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Ganesha Images in Guwahati Region

Guwahati City Located on the southern bank adjacent to north Guwahati on the northern bank the city is identified as Pragjyotisa in early historical literature and later as Kamarupa and during the Ahom period known as Guwahati and during the British period as Gauhati. There are many places still bearing the names of lord Ganesha like Ganeshguri, Ganesh nagar, Ganesh turning Lalganesh etc. which suggest long and deep Ganesha connection with the region. There are many Ganesha images in the city at ganeshguri, Ganesh turning, lal ganesh, urvasi island, pandu, Ganeshguri

Ganesh turning

Location: this archaeological site is located in the point called Ganesh turning on the Kahilipara road adjacent to Bhagadattapur road. A temple names Triganapati mandir was established at the site. At the site there are three Ganesha images carved on a slanting roadside rock, one Ganesha is carved separately and another two images (plate) are carved together. At this site the kahilipara- lalganesh road takes a sharp turn giving the place its colloquial name Ganesh turning. Plate: twin Ganesha at Triganapati mandir, Ganesh turning, Kahilipara road

The first image (plate) is the single Ganesha carved right of the twin Ganesha that was carved nearby. The first sculpture of Ganesha is of 90cm height and 62cm in width. It is a four handed Ganesha. It is pot bellied and depicted sitting on lotus throne. The carving is 9cm deep. The sculpture is depicted wearing mukuta and upavita is seen on the body. first Ganapati, Triganapati temple

The second image is 80 cm in height and 78cm in width. It is also a four handed Ganesha. It is pot bellied sculpture. The carving is done 7cm deep. It also is depicted on lotus throne?. It is depicted wearing mukuta and upavita on the body. second Ganapati, Triganapati temple

The third image id 75cm in height and 68cm in width. It is also a four handed Ganesha. It is pot bellied sculpture. The carving is done 7cm deep. The type of throne is unknown and the face of the image is mutiliated. The upavita can be seen on the body of the Ganesha.

Plate : third Ganapati, Triganapati temple

Lal Ganesh. Lalganesh is a locality in the Guwahati, around 5km from Ganeshguri and Paltan bazaar. The place is famous for an old temple belonging to lord Ganesha to which this place owes its name. No specific history of the place is traced but the place is located very close to Narakasur hill where still remnants of a brick built fort can be seen and from where lot of art objects including images made of stone and casted of bronze is reported time to time. A temple dedicated to all the gods of Indian pantheon called tetris (33) koti temple also is located in the vicinity towards its eastern side. On the northern side of the temple lies the locality called Kalapahar also famous for the archaeological finds. The history of the area can be read with the history of Pragjyotishpur. Both the Ganesha image at the site are coloured red by smearing vermillion that the image turned red from which it draws its name Lalganesh. At Lalganesh two images of Ganesha were found carved on a single stone facing west. Both the Ganesha were similar in makeup and treatment. Both the image are established in a temple run by Udalbakra Janajtiya Yuva Kalyan Parishad, Lalganesh. The first Ganesha at the site is of 140cm in height and 114cm in width. It is located on the right side of the two carved sculpture. The sculpture is smeared with a thick layer of nearly 2-3mm of oil and vermillion. The sculpture is carved on high relief of 17cm approximately. The sharp and clear features of the sculpture are hard to distinguish. It is a four handed (chaturbhuja) Ganesha holding a flower in upper right hand and pasa (noose) in upper left hand, the lower right hand is not identifiable and in the lower left hand it is depicted holding aksamala. It is a pot bellied Ganesha sitting in maharajalilasana mudra on a lotus throne and his vehicle mouse can be seen under the lotus throne. The ears are carved wide with 16cm X 22cm Ganesha at Lalganesh temple The second rock cut image of Ganesha is located just left of the first image on the very stone it was carved. The two sculptures are identical in every aspect. This Ganesha at the site is of 126cm in height and 112cm in width. It is located on the right side of the two carved sculpture. The sculpture is smeared with a thick layer of nearly 2-3mm of oil and vermillion. The sculpture is carved on high relief of 18cm (max.) approximately. The sharp and clear features of the sculpture are hard to distinguish. It is a four handed (chaturbhuja) Ganesha holding a flower in upper right hand and pasa (noose) in upper left hand, the lower right hand is not identifiable and in the lower left hand it is depicted holding aksamala. It is a pot bellied Ganesha sitting in maharajalilasana mudra on a lotus throne and his vehicle mouse can be seen under the lotus throne. The length of the axe he is holding is of length 36cm and 18cm wide. The gada is 31cm in length and 17 cm wide. first Ganapati, Triganapati temple

The present practices of smearing of oil and vermillion and other practices have completely altered the original features of the sculpture. Some minor details are invisible and hard to trace.

Kalapahar

There are two images of lord Ganesha is located on the Paltan bazaar Lokra road 5 km from Paltan bazaar. It is twin Ganesha carved on a single stone now on the roadside. In features and treatment it is similar to the Ganesha of Ganesh turning and Lalganesh however its size is smaller than the two. Like the Ganesha of Lalganesh it also is smeared with oil and vermillion by the devotees but being located on the roadside, dust is accumulated and sticked on the surface of the sculpture. The features are not identifiable. Presently it has almost steeped into surface like the sculpture at Ganesh turning because of the regular construction and over layering of road. The layout of the carving is very similar to the Ganesh turning and Lalganesh even the attributes and other features are similar. The facial features and expression could not be analysed properly and the throne is not visible at all. But like the sculpture of Ganesh turning it seems to be chaturbhuja image with ayudhas not identifiable. The height of the image is 55 cm and its 60 cm wide and is carved in 6 cm relief and it is facing east. Ganesha, Kalapahar

The second Ganesha at the site is also however similar in condition but certain features are identifiable. In the upper left hand he is holding noose and the attributes of other hands are not clear. It is a pot bellied Ganesha which is a symbol of affluence and depicted sitting in maharajalilasana mudra. The height of the sculpture is 72 cm and its 70 cm wide with relief carving of 8 cm.        Ganesha, Kalapahar Ganesha panel at Kalapahar Ganesha panel at Kalapahar (Ganesh Pathar) courtesy: Google maps

The Ganesha panel is located on the Paltan bazaar- Lokhara road at Kalapahar area. Popularly known as Ganesh pathar and located at the centre of the mentioned road. No records pertaining to this panel could be traced nor any folk literature or legends connected to the panel is traced. However the mentioned road was used since time immemorial for connecting Kalapahar and Narakasur hill region and the banks of Brahmaputra There are six chaturbhuja Ganesha on the panel depicted sitting alongside each other sitting in maharajalilasana. All the six Ganesha have similar iconography. All the Ganesha depicted on the panel are pot bellied holding parasu in upper left hand, padma in upper right hand, aksamala in lower left hand and laddu (sweet) in lower right hand and the trunk is placed on the laddu. In some of the images of the panel, the vahana, musa (mouse) is depicted touching the feet of the deity with his mouth. All the images of the deity wear serpent as a yajnopavita which is clearly visible in all the figures. The figures from right to left (south to north) have the dimensions of 87cm X 80cm, 80cm X 60cm, 82cm X 61cm, 80cm X 42cm, 85cm X 65cm and 40cm X 35cm. Plate: Ganesha panel at Kalapahar

Ganesha at Vishnu Janardhan temple

The Vishnu Janardhan murti is located in the back side of Sukreswar temple located on the sukreswar hill or itakhuli hill at Pan Bazar area in Guwahati. It is located on southern bank of river Brahmaputra providing a picturesque view of Brahmaputra alongside its banks. The history of the temple is associated with sage Sukracharya, who made hermitage to the site and meditated and worshipped regularly lord Shiva at this place. According to Kalika Puran, the hillock where Sukra prayed lord Shiva is called Hastigiri as it is shaped like hump of an elephant. The present temple at Sukreswar was constructed by Ahom king Pramatta Singha in year 1744 and also prompted financial help to the temple in the year 1759. There are many historical sites around this site i.e. Ambari, uzan Bazar, Navagraha and Kamakhya temple etc. As the site is located on the river bank sometimes the whole sculpture gets inundated in rainy season further intensifying the decay of the sculpture. The Ganesha image at the site is depicted sitting in maharajalilasana mudra on a lotus. The head of the image is broken and seems work of an iconoclast making assessment of facial features impossible. It is a chaturbhuja Ganesha, the upper right hand is not visible for assessment, in the upper left hand it seems the deity is holding padma, the lower right hand holds rosary and the lower left hand is in varada mudra. dimensions

Ganesha at Vishnu Janardhan temple Bageshwari Peeth

The Bageshwari Peeth is located in Jyotipur road, Sontola, Mirza in Kamrup district. The distance between Guwahati and Bageshwari peeth is 30 km and from Guwahati airport it is 7.2 km. The image of Ganesha is located at the foothills. It is a chaturbhuja Ganesha carved on a rock. The figure is depicted sitting in Maharajalilasana posture. The deity carries padma in upper right hand, parasu (axe) in upper left hand, rosary in lower right hand and ladaku (sweet) in lower left hand upon which the trunk is placed. Ganesha at Bageshwari pith temple, internet Pandunath Devalaya

The Pandunath Devalaya is located at Pandu at Maligaon locality in Guwahati on the south bank of river Brahmaputra. The location of the site is such that it provides a perfect location to be a port, from ancient period to present through medieval it was an important port for the movement of man, material and ideas. The temple located at Pandunath was highly decorated as suggested by the scattered architectural members of the site. The scattered architectural components yielded from the site contains octagonal pillar of a temple, image of Varaha, images of lord Vishnu (mutilated), images of Devi, fragments of temple, stone sculptural fragments, singhavyala, amalakas of temples etc. Among the sculptures yielded from the site most important are the six chaturbhuja rock cut Ganesha in maharajalilasana posture in badly eroded condition however the practice of applying oil and vermillion (sindur) also continued here like the other sites of the region. The largest Ganesha here measures 110cm X 145cm. The most important sculpture of the site measures 90cm X 145cm, this sculpture of Ganesha is depicted sitting in Maharajalilasana on a lotus, it is a chaturbhuja Ganesha holding parasu in upper left hand, padma in upper right hand, in the lower right hand is rosary and in the lower left hand is modaka (sweet), his favourite sweet and also offered to his vahana, musa, which also is visible beneath the image. All the images of deity wear serpent as yajnopavita. The images also depicted wearing kiratamukuta. The iconography of all the Ganesha images is similar. The dimensions of other Ganesha’s of the site are: 110cm X 145cm (largest) 60cm X 85cm 65cm X 100cm 70cm X 90cm 100cm X 110cm respectively

Plate: Ganesha at Pandunath (courtesy, IGNCA, Delhi) Ganesha at Pandunath (courtesy, IGNCA, Delhi) Plate: Ganesha at Pandunath (courtesy, IGNCA, Delhi) Ganesha at Pandunath (courtesy, IGNCA, Delhi) Ganesha, Nazirakhat Archaeological Site, Sonapur Nazirakhat is located at sonapur, 28 km from Guwahati on Guwahati-jagiroad national highway. Presently the site is under the state department of archaeoplogy, assam. The place is popularly known as Ganesh mandir picnic spot by the locals. This archaeological site is situated in the hill slope near the water stream called Karchiya, a natural geographical environ which adds beauty and charm, a serene place. Fragments of temple structure are scattered all over the site reminiscent of existence of a beautiful nagar temple at one time. Stylistic parameters put the date of this structure around 10-11th century. At the Nazirakhat archaeological site there are three images of Ganesha (triganapati) carved on rocks. Two images are carved on a single stone and one on another at a distance of 50m similarly like Ganesh turning and Umananda Island. The two Ganesha carved on a single stone, both are depicted standing and in dancing posture. Both are carved in a beautiful temple like niche. The Ganesha image on the right side is bigger than the one on the left. It is a Chaturbhuja Ganesha in dancing position with the left hand folded in some dance position. The sculpture is depicted wearing a mukuta (whose features are not clear). The sculpture is depicted dolding parasu in his upper right hand, padma in upper left hand, in the lower right hand deity is holding aksamala (rosary) and in the lower left hand laddu (sweet) this sculpture measures 125cm X 105cm in height and width. The Ganesha on the left side also is depicted similarly with similar attributes and features and measures 120cm X 76cm in height and width but his vahana (vehicle) musa is visible in this image.

Two Ganesha at Nazirakhat (courtesy: DOA) The third and separate Ganesha (plate) of the site also is carved on sandstone in a niche. This also is a similar image like the other two images of the site. The deity is depicted wearing a mukuta; it is a chaturbhuja murti with upper right hand holding parasu, padma in upper left hand, rosary in lower right hand and ladaku (sweet) in lower right hand. The deity is depicted dancing with left leg folded to dancing mudra and it is carved in 10cm relief.

Third Ganesha of Nazirakhat Ganesh of Panikhaiti. Panikhaiti Ganesh temple (courtesy, Google maps) Panikhaiti is a locality in Guwahati city in Kamrup metro district in the vicinity of Narangi area famous for an army cantonment. In is located on the southern bank of rover Brahmaputra overlooking the river in its north. The place has become recently a heterogeneously populated by Assamese, Bodo, Karbi, Tiwa, Garo and most recently by minority population. It is located in city of Guwahati in its western side and Hatisila hills in eastern side. An image of stone cut Ganesha is reported from this site (plate). However this image is very different from the Ganesha reported elsewhere from the district. Aesthetically this image cannot be compared with any other Ganesha reported from the region and it stands separate in iconography and treatment. It cannot be ascribed to any of the school or period but seems very late specimen of work of folk nature. Like the Ganesha at the Ganesh turning, lalgagesh and Kalapahar it also is smeared in oil and vermillion (sindur) by the devotees making it a red coloured. On the rocks nearby quarry marks could be traced (plate). The Ganesha carved in the rock at this site is 130 cm in height 80 cm wide. The tusk is turned left. The god is depicted facing south however; it does not seem that the maker was much concerned with the rules of iconography. The face of the deity in not made symmetric. The deity is depicted having four hands (chaturbhuja). Beginning from the first hand from the right, the hands are of 54, 52, 40 and 53 cm. The maximum length of the tusk is 56 cm. The length of the face is 17 cm and 23 cm in width. The length between eyes to eyes of the sculpture is 10 cm. The god is depicted wearing a necklace but the sculptor is so novice that he depicted the necklace over the trunk instead of below the trunk which is a established rule in iconography. The sculpture is depicted sitting, most likely in padmasana but is not perfectly touched by the sculptor which high lights the novice nature of sculptor. four handed Ganesha of Panikhaiti. Govali Temple Govali village is located in Chandrapur block of Kamrup metro district. It is located 36 km from the Guwahati city. According to the 2011 census the village is inhabited by 983 people 85 % of them are from general caste and 15 % from schedule caste and the village is spread over 209 hectares. The Ganesha image lies in the Ganesh temple of Govali called Govali Silghar Ganesh Mandir. Like the Ganesha of aother sites it also is carved very beautifully in a niche on a stone facing easten direction. The Ganesha image at govali is a chaturbhuja Ganesha sitting in maharajalilasana/ ardhaparyanka mudra. The deity is depicted holding axe in his upper left hand, in the upper right it seems holding conch (sankha) the attributes of lower left and right hand is not identifiable but going by the practice prevalent in the region the upper right hand may hold either noose or trident and in lower hands akshamala and modaka. Ganesha image of Govali temple, Chandrapur