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Lord Sanamahi Temples
The temple is situated in Imphal town in the first Manipur
Rifle Ground. It was patronized by king Kulachandra in 1891. The structure
is raised on an octagonal base. The southern side has got flying steps.
The facade carries a rectangular door. In the octagonal structure each
component wall meets the double cornice. The cornice below and above has
got a series arranged in a line over the octagonal structure. The roof
structure is in pyramidal Gothic Style. The arches incline at 45 degree
to form a tapering octagonal structure which is truncated by Amalaka-sila,
on the top, in a form of a circular disc. It carries a pinnacle. A porch
is also the eastern side connecting the sanctum hall. Internally the sanctum
is octagonal.
The temple looks like the Baptistery type, raised as a polygonal structure,
with Gothic roof, but ends objectively in a Niagara style by culminating
the trunk by Amalaka-sila which further ends with the pinnacle. The structure
is made in bricks. There has been a sufficient effort to explore the artistic
designs in constructing the structure itself in a peculiar architectural
design and by giving a stylizes shape to the double cornice. It is the
only temple animistic faith of Manipur which was constructed particularly
to enshrine the animistic deity. The temple is also important for its
architectural variety. The deity Lord Sanamahi is worshipped in the temple.
The rituals are of typical Hindu style. The decoration of deity and puja
system is based on Hindu methods. The dress of the priest performing the
rituals is indistinguishable from a Hindu priest. The puja performed by
the priest daily in morning and evening at appropriate times of Ushakala
and Samdhyakala. A weekly puja known as 'Sagalchham' is performed on Tuesday.
The annual festival is celebrated at the temple during 'Cheiraoba' which
is the annual year festival of Manipur and another annual festival celebrated
during September at the temple is called Honjnungha. |
