
The tradition of spatial manifestation and archetypal representation of
images has been very common practice in the medieval period in Hindu
India. The location of the 51 Shaktipithas in South Asia is a well known
example, thus the whole region is assumed as Mother's body. This
tradition continued even today. Using theory of
crystallography as an analogy, it may be explained that all the parts of the
body have the main essence of the whole body. It means that all the 51
sacred places have their unique character and importance, nevertheless all
are the part of the same cosmic force – wholeness becomes holy. With this
analogy in the background near Ambaji (Gujarat) in the temple complex of
Kamakshi all the 51 Shaktipithas are represented as microcosm. Similarly,
the plan of 'the Temple of 51-Shaktipithas' at Nandanvana [Bakshi ka
Talab, on the Sitapur road _ National Highway No. 24, Lucknow; lying
15km from the main city], is an example of newly coming up
archetypal representation of all the 51 Shaktipithas. This was conceived by
Pt. Raghuraj Dikshit 'Manju' through Ashish Seva Yajna Trust in 1998
and the temple complex is in the process of construction under the
supervision of Sh. Suresh Kumar Singh, an administrating officer who
devotedly offered himself for this noble cause.
The cosmological frame, archetypal designing, spatial alignment,
archetypal symbolism and correspondences, the layers and cardinality, and
related dimension of this temple complex are grandeur and symbol of
Indian culture, and possess a strong spiritual magnetic force that any
devotee can realise. Well arranged in a glass cascade the 51-Kalashas
(mud water-pots) possessing the sacred soils from all the Shaktipithas give
a way to experience the universality of the divine mother spirit through
micro-cosmic representation.
The images of trio-force goddesses representing Mahasarasvati,
Mahalakshmi and Mahakali are installed at the ground floor, and at the
second floor all the 51 Shakti images along with the associated Bhairavas
and the parts of body fell there, are arranged clock-wise symmetrically in
the sequential order in the circular-form inner sanctum. Hindu traditions
are a complex web of multiplicity - multiple Gods, multiple practices,
multiple ways, multiple means and also simultaneous multiple ontological
structures of monotheisms, monisms, polytheisms, and panentheisms -
altogether that converges into multiple wholes of mosaicness this temple
will be the latest example. Hinduism around
the world absorbs facets of modernity (coping with science and
technology) and post-modernity (the erosion of traditional values mostly
due to globalization and cross-cultural influences). Let this temple may
serve as axis mundi for such people who have quest to get their minds
march from realisation (anubhava) to revelation (anubhuti).
Temple's Architectural View -
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