Nachna and Bhumra: Master architecture of Gupta Art

NACHNA or KUTHARA

The small village of Nachna is situated 2 miles to the west of the town Ganj, which is 25 miles to the south-east of Panna, and 15 miles to the south-west of Nagod.
The people say that Kuthara was a great city in the former times, that it was the capital of the king of the country. In the early history of Bundelas it is recorded that Sohan Pal, the fourth in descent from Pancham, the founder of the family, captured Kutharagarh about the middle of the 15th century.
There are two temples still standing at Nachna, one named after goddess Parvati, although at present it is possesses no statue; the other named Chaumukh Nath Mahadeo, after the colossal four faced lingam, which is still enshrine inside.
The temple of Parvati is one old temple from the oldest temple of India and it is a previous architecture of Gupta art. The figures on the outer walls and on the doorway have the figures of the Ganges and Jamuna standing on their respective symbols, the crocodile and tortoise. All the roofs are flat, like those of known Gupta temples at Sanchi, Eran and Tigowa.

It is a building of two stories. It is nearly square, 15’9” by 15’ with plain perpendicular walls. The lower storey is surrounded by a roofed cloister upwards of 5’ wide which is closed, expect in front of the entrance door, by a wall, 3’ thick. In front of the entrance there is an open, unroofed court, nearly 12’ square, which is reached by flight steps, 4½’ in height.
The upper story is quite plain both inside and outside. It is covered by a flat roof of apparently three slabs. These are still on the top of the wall, but are much tiled and out of position. The joints were covered as in the known Gupta temples. The doorway is on the west, and the chamber is lighted by two trellises, one in each side wall. These are formed simply by two plain loop holes, one on each side.
The doorway of the lower storey is very richly carved with human figures in pairs on each jamb, ending with small statues of the Ganges and Yamuna. The figures are all of the Gupta period, and are much superior to all medieval sculptures, both in the ease and gracefulness of their attitudes, as well as in the real beauty of the forms. The hair of the male figures is arranged in the same fashion as that of a Gupta kings on their coins, with rows of the curls, like the wig of a judge. There are no obscene figures.
The sanctum is dimply lighted on each side by a stout trellis of simple square holes, which receives its light from another trellis in the cloister wall opposite. In the middle of each of the outer faces there is a large trellis, with two horned loins and two men. On one side the trellis has four small pillars, with three openings, each pillar being ornamented with a human figure.
The outer faces of the wall (expecting only the upper room) are carved to imitate rock work. A few figures are introduces, as well as a few lions or bears lying in holes or caves in the rock-work.
Inside there is a pedestal with a mortice hole for the elevation of the tenon of a statue. This has been pushed to one side by some treasure hunter.
Chaumukha Nath Mahadeo Temple

It is quite different in style, although its doorway is similar to that of the Parvati temple. It is a square building, 11¾, inside and 16¾’ outside. It has a tall spire, with slightly curved sides, and is about 40’ high. It stands on a raised platform, like that of the old temple of Deogarh. In the middle of each side there is a stout stone lattice, surmounted by a couple of niches holding figures. There are also side niches; but these are empty, with the exception of a standing figure of Brahma with four arms. All the figures are draped.

Inside, there is a colossal lingam, 4’8” in height, with a large head, with a most elaborate head-dress on each of the four faces. The heads are all perfect; and shows the different form of Lord Shiva.