Friday, October 30, 2009

Jagat Shri Bhrama Temple, Pushkar, India

The only standing Hindu temple in India dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, the structure around the temple was built in the 14th century and stands on a high platform near Pushkar lake.

Brahma is one of the Holy Trinity in Hinduism, sharing the honour with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer.

Although a very large number of temples can be found all over India dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu, there are very few temples for Brahma, this being one of the holiest one.

Marble steps lead up to the temple where a silver turtle lies embossed in the floor facing the sanctorum.

The marble floor around the turtle is littered with hundreds of silver coins embedded in the floor, and so are the walls of the temple.

Images of the peacock, the vehicle of Brahma’s consort Saraswati, adorn the temple walls. Brahma here is shown in a life-size form with four hands and four faces, facing four different directons.

A hans (goose, the official carrier of Brahma) spans the gateway to the temple which is crowned with a red spire. A small statue of the milk goddess Gayatri (whom Brahma married) near Brahma’s idol is called Chaumurti. Steps within the silver-doored sanctuary lead down into a small cave which is a Hindu temple of Lord Shiva.

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