E-Paper
Rare idols of many deities under one roof
Apart from other ancient monuments in the city, Patalpuri temple occupies a special place for its religious significance. The temple is situated inside Allahabad Fort which was built by Akbar in 1583 AD. This temple is under ground as the fort was constructed on a raised ground to keep it safe from the swirling waters of Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
Apart from other ancient monuments in the city, Patalpuri temple occupies a special place for its religious significance.
The temple is situated inside Allahabad Fort which was built by Akbar in 1583 AD. This temple is under ground as the fort was constructed on a raised ground to keep it safe from the swirling waters of Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
This is the only portion of the fort which has been opened for the civilians while the rest has been occupied by the army.
This temple which is said to be built by Akbar's wife Jodhabai has the collection of rarest of the rare idols of deities which could be found under one roof. The idols installed in the temple are of Radha-Krishna, Annapurna, Ved Vyas, Gauri-Shanker, Durvasa, Valmiki, Prayagraj, Mahadev, Kartikeya, Sati Anusuiya, Varun, Bhairav Baba, Maa Lalita Devi, Maa Ganga, Narsingh, Surya, Maa Saraswati, Jamwant, Guru Gorakhnath, Dattatreya, Patal Ganga, Satyanarayan, Pawan Dev, Markandeya, an exclusive idol of Ganesh sitting in the lap of Maa Paravati, Kuber, Brahma, Hanuman, Adinath Parasnath, Sheshnag and Yamraj. The idols were intricately sculpted keeping in mind the details of jewellery and clothings.
It is said that Chinese traveller Huien Tsang visited this temple and he wrote 'in the city there is a Deva temple, beautifully ornamented, and celebrated for its numerous miracles...And if in this temple a person is able to condemn life so as to put an end to himself then he is born unto eternal happiness in heaven.'
The epic Ramayan also mentions that Ram and Sita, while on their way to Chitrakoot, visited this temple. Here it needs to be recalled that Huien Tsang mentioned about the tree (Akshay Vat) near the temple which had a courtyard.
Perhaps it might be the case that the Akshay Vat and the temple were co-located.
This fact was also stated by the priest at the temple Surendra Nath who showed two branches of a banyan tree bifurcated at the base which he mentioned as Akshay Vat.
He also showed a dark square shaped passage which he said was connected to the interior structure of the fort and it was used by Jodhabai herself as an entry to the temple.
Opening of the temple is through the stairs leading downwards.
A narrow passage leads to the sanctum sactorum. The walls enclosing the passage have numerous shelves which are all empty. The length of the temple area is 25.6 m in length and 15 m in width.
The ceiling is 1.97 m high. Grey slabs have been used for its construction and it is supported by cruciform pillars.
Till 1905 the temple was completely dark and only a single opening allowed the light to enter the dark premises. In January 1906, few influential Hindus of Allahabad presented a memorandum with the object of ameliorating the condition. Before the next Kumbh festival began, the temple was provided with light and ventilation by openings in the roof and a new staircase.
Most of the idols have been painted with oil paint to convey an attractive look to them but now such practice has been restricted as it tends to damage the natural shine and real beauty.
During annual religious affair of Magh Mela and extravagant events of Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh, the temple is thronged by devotees who visit Allahabad from far off places.
