temple temple temple hindu temple dedicated goddess located temple complex indian state generally regarded temples dedicated hindu goddess temple located south west corner inner enclosure temple complex western corner tower sacred pond temple faces east built sandstone built style components structure containing assembly hall festival hall hall offerings temple renovated maintained small shrine temple complex temple important goddess oriented main shrine considered consort guardian temple complex pay respect main temple food offered offered goddess oriented festival hindu month october celebrated sixteen days culminating history central icon sixth century present structure based architecture built ninth century dynasty possibly ruins earlier temple architecture similar shrine near temple hall temple complex dated ninth century states temple constructed ruler kings known title sculptures especially attendant deities background slab central icon reflect style original temple ruins new temple constructed believed preceded central shrine hindu philosopher saint 8th century believed established presiding goddess according author temple centre worship central forms hindu goddess form sect devoted goddess worship strong 17th century slowly centric traditions eroded remnants continue centric sole tradition includes fish meat liquor grain ritual intercourse replaced vegetarian offerings dance fish caught locally offered goddess king ruled ended meat fish offerings goddess tradition later partly today goddess offered meat fish special days architecture temple located south west corner inner enclosure temple complex right hand western corner tower sacred pond temple faces east built sandstone built style components structure containing assembly hall festival hall hall offerings temple maintained renovated tall building shape feet height shape feet square stands feet platform decorated lotus floral designs outer wall divided parts base intervening wall ornate type niche floral designs love making couples men intervening second wall decorated lion faced beast elephant faced lion lion scene teaching disciples monster face motifs guardian gods directions outer wall horizontal decorated beautiful human floral lotus motifs fourth wall decorated type niche erotic scenes floral designs figures female consort seen mounts aligned respective directions images attendant deities placed central outer wall sides armed south armed goddess standing west niche north probably goddess figure stolen attendant deity niche frames decorated motifs female accompany niche outer wall horizontal ornate lotus floral motifs lies topped style temple pinnacle goddess sixth century inner chamber devoid wall decorations central icon holds upper right hand lower right hand held giving gesture lower left holds pitcher considered filled life attribute upper left hand heavily disputed descriptions include human object holds weapons normally attributed icon installed lion throne adorned figures goddess female maya sides image said type wax slightly taller feet door flight stairs leads centre surrounded deities classical planets carved decorated flowers boys playing gate keeper surround door square building pyramid shaped roof feet height feet square base stands feet high platform decorated floral designs outer wall divided parts intervening adorned having couples erotic scenes floral motifs motifs second wall barring wall horizontal fourth wall resembles counterpart goddess sculptures wall seven horizontal central portion decorated dancing women couples elephants deer decorative arch northern southern sides royal court scenes window frames windows decorated playing boys floral designs dancing women structure topped inner walls ornamentation discussed section similar style decoration feet height shape feet length feet probably later addition original temple consisted stands feet platform divisions outer wall topped small pinnacle door ways wall inner walls adorned style traditional paintings depicting sixteen forms hindu goddess including feet height shape feet square stands feet platform outer wall divisions topped small pinnacle armed dancing armed headed standing sons occupy western inner wall ceiling floral paintings lotus design middle downwards opening female guard door flight steps eastern doorway serves main entrance temple entrance shrine outside feet lion goddess mount vehicle riding elephant victory good evil covered flat roof religious significance temple considered sacred temples hindu goddess identified consort god considered prime example importance cult customary worship form male counterpart guardian presiding goddess goddess oriented worship regarded presiding goddess form god krishna krishna generally regarded avatar departure usual tradition form temple complex hindu trinity trinity interpreted convey god regard generally associated consort considered consort conversely consider form main deities elder brother krishna identified younger sister krishna centric traditions orthodox consort temple complex consort guardian goddess temple complex identified texts rituals considered climactic festivities temple appears slayer demon warrior form 13th century stone originally housed lists according hindu legend daughter married wish organised great sacrifice invite reached site ignored unable withstand insult sacrificed fire wild grief stricken universe half burnt corpse finally body parts fell different places earth creating list differ religious texts mention temple complex calls location names centres mentioned corresponding cardinal directions clearly identified west hosts temple identified consort similar list mentions identified section mentions present day presiding goddess body fell version text site subordinate left partially eaten food said fallen temple location called blue mountain traditional site temple complex mentioned respectively work names set supernatural powers gained temple list temples mentions goddess notes sacred pilgrimage site mentions deities list mother named mentions feet fell worship people pride temple consider important temple goddess visit visit temple day hymns attributed sage composed prescribed pay respects goddess main temple waters sacred pool considered holy visit temple consider important central shrine goddess oriented festival hindu month october celebrated sixteen days culminating titular king goddess believed slain demon day earliest record king reign tenth day goddess believed assume destructive aspect women temple considered weak hearted witness terrible form goddess food offerings generally separate food offerings cooked goddess goddess described survive remnants meals vegetarian food offerings offered consists dried rice mixed cheese butter head receives pot plate offered goddess presiding goddess temple legend narrates tale tradition offering taboo visit saw food grains fallen ground finished meal quickly picked grain unbeknownst half stuck beard returned sage saw half grain beard ate consort upset rightful share eaten mood went complained saying present era hindu beliefs live daily eat remnants food time year separate food cooked goddess offered non vegetarian offerings offered non vegetarian food animal sacrifice traditionally offered hindu mother goddess goddess considered assume destructive form festival meat considered necessary strict secrecy pre dawn hours animal sacrifice goat offered temple fish sacred temple tank cooked offered rituals rituals completed doors main vegetarian opened dawn morning offered god temple witness ceremony given cuisine animal sacrifice non vegetarian offerings produced protests
Vimala Temple