Krishna Mandir in Kathmandu

Introduction

One of the finest stone structures of whole Nepal, Krishna Mandir, located in Patan Durbar Square, stands out among the neighboring temples because of its conspicuous differences. The style the temple incorporates is the Shikhara style, another distinctive feature.

History

King Siddhinarshimha Malla built the temple in N.S. 757 (1636 A.D.). The images of Rukmini, Krishna and Satyabhama are installed in 1637 after performing the Kotyahuti Yagya. As stated in the Dhadda + Dirgha 723 at the Guthi office in Bhadrakali, 92½ ropanies of land were donated by the donor for the function of this temple. But that land was confiscated by Rana Bahadur Shah in 1862 which is known as “Basathi Harana”. After the earthquake of 1934, 55 shops were created in different parts of Patan, and money raised was given to the temple to carry out the pujas. Now Guthi Sansthan covers most of the expenses. The religious puja and festivals are performed accordingly Rajopadhyayas are the main priests here.

It is said, the temple took 6½ years to be completed. It is further said after completion, while conducting yagya for inaguration, pearls had rained in front of the temple in the “Yagya Kunda”. This stone-paved square platform can still be seen with protective railings all around.
Origin of the Styles

Krishna Mandir is an example of a temple that keeps a perfect balance between its own original style and the style that is borrowed. It incorporates the style of architecture from Rajasthan and also accepts the local traditional method of construction. Krishna Mandir borrows pillars and pavilions as architectural features from Rajasthan and help in breaking and diversifying the monotonous skyline. Shikhara and Cupolas constructions are also Indian contributions.

Local contributions are : the addition of plinths to its base and the gradually shrinking pattern of the superstructure like that of the tiered temples. The addition of a terrace is a South Indian influence while cupolas in different terrace levels are from the Mughal styles.

Thus it can be said Krishna Mandir comprises of Dravida and Mughal styles, but a sense of harmony is felt among its neighboring tiered temples.

Architectural Description.

Krishna Mandir is a square-planned temple. It rises above a 3-stage plinth of 2m in height. The total height including the plinth and the 3-storeyed temple is about 66 feet. A pair of lions and a pair of Garuda guard the main entrance. The ground floor is solid to the inner core, and colonnaded on the exterior part. 8 octagonal stone columns surround each side. They are supported on stone blocks carved with animal figures symbolizing structural entities. These stone columns own 8-petalled lotus capital and brackets supporting the lintel beam going all around continuously. The brackets have Garuda, cranes and swans carved while the beams have carved scenes of Ramayana. Sloping cornice and stone railings on the upper floor are supported by horizontal bands over lintel beams. The main access to the sanctum floor is the eastern door. A steep, narrow stairway takes one to the first floor i.e, a sanctum place with a terrace. The image of lord Krishna is housed over here. This floor has 8 cupolas at centers and corners of 4 sides. There are lots of columns in this floor, about 40, half forming the circulatory and half supporting the cupolas. Lintel is all over the colonnade, and the cupola pillars has themes of Mahabharata and the heroic works of Krishna. Rukmini, Krishna and Satyabhama are there in the sanctum room. It also houses ten incarnations of Vishnu. The 2nd floor has Siddeshwor Mahadeva. Cupolas and the main Shikhara are crowned with gilded pinnacles. In front of the temple, in a central axis, is a Garuda on a stone pillar, facing the temple.

Aspects

Krishna Mandir is one of the finest examples of religious harmony between Buddhism and Hinduism. Not only Krishna’s but the images of Budhha, Shiva, and narrations of Ramayana and Mahabharat are splendidly available on the temple premises. It surely does hint about the religious toleration that used to prevail in people and still that is prevailing. Being declared as ‘World Heritage Site’ Patan Durbar Square surely has benefited in every aspect. Its essence gets more highlighted in festivals and jatras, in Krishnasthami, etc. Socially, the temple has provided vendors a definite place to sell their things and for people to interact and have a talk may be.
Construction Material / Technology

Sandstone and limestone are the two most abundantly used material over here. Iron railings and cramps can also be seen. Monolithic pillars are joined to the base below and at the meth above. The mortar used has mud, black lintel, and binding material called “chaku” as ingridients. The three-stage plinths are all made of the stone thus providing the definite stature also acting as a stable foundation at the same time. The 3 plinths may have made to avoid seepage, very clever thinking depicted by people. Corbelling technology is used extensively in this temple like the horizontal bands over lintel beams corbel out to support cornices, and railings. Columns with bracket on them provide a square base for the dome of the pavilion. The same corbelling is used in the circular dome, in a small entry to the core of the main Shikhara on the third floor. The walls of the main Shikhara reduce as it goes up with corbelling at different levels. The main pinnacle is supported on a long wooden piece which is then supported by a traverse wooden piece across the core wall. The idea resembles to that of a tiered temple, where the core wall is supported by an upper floor by heavy wooden beams. A parabolic curve with repeated offsets can be noticed on the exterior of the Shikhara.

Though the circumambulatory on the first floor is exposed to rain, a method has been employed to reduce the defects i.e., a gentle slope is provided and holes are there to drain out the rain-water. Using the stone has also built-up the resisting capacities (against natural forces) of the temple.
Conservation of Krishna Mandir

During its 362 years of survival, Krishna Mandir did have to suffer and faced earthquakes and all kinds of weathering effects. We know stones deteriorate due to salt efflorescence, the disintegration of joints, rusting in the iron clamps due to improper drainage of rainwater, due to pollution in the atmosphere. Due to the extreme need for its restoration, Nepal Heritage Society started working in 1997-1998 for its betterment. Repair of the roof, cleaning metallic gajurs, filling up the joints, cracks, removal of salt etc. was done successfully.

Conclusion

Miss Shova Shrestha of the Archaeology Department writes that Krishna Mandir falls under the category ‘A’ when justification is done. It means the architecture of Krishna Mandir is of an international kind, the way it has been built up, its construction technology, and building material have all contributed in enhancing its importance. Surely and undoubtedly, its existence should be well appreciated and preserved.