ASHTABHUJI TEMPLE
CONVERSATION
CONVERSATION: DEBJANI BISWAS
REVIEWER: SAUMYA
CHARECTERS
The personified Ashtabhuji deity.
A 20-year-old female student, who is interested in temple architecture.
Synopsis: A conversation between the personified Ashtabhuji deity and young female student, who
has a keen interest in temple architecture and Hindu Bhakti sects. She is awestruck to discover that
the image of Ashtabhuji Devi can speak to her. She tries to extract information from the image to
understand the complex interplay of the Bhakti sects in the temple.
female student – (sitting in front of the deity) Oh, Mother Goddess! kindly bestow your
blessings on me. (In mind- distracted by the temple architecture) This beautiful architectural
splendour is a treat to the eyes. But the sect of the edifice confuses me. There are sculpture of
Shaiva and Vaishnava sect, along with an Ashtabhuji Devi image.
Ashtabhuji image- Good question my child. The temple was initially dedicated to Lord
Shiva. Later it became an important centre for the Shaktas (worshipper of Goddess), a Kali
Shakti Peethas.
female student- What! How?! How can this be?! Hey, you! (Addressing a group of
tourists passing by) Did you hear that? The Image! It just spoke? Hey! Where are you
going? I’m telling you it just s-spoke!
Ashtabhuji Image- (softly, in a regal tone) Don’t be afraid, child! Nobody can hear me,
but you. As you can see, I am quite firmly attached to the ‘Garba-Griha’, and can cause no
harm. Moreover, I am modelled after the great Goddess, Ashtabhuji (Goddess with eight
hands). It gets lonely here sometimes and it’s nice to talk to the devotees sometimes. Please
do calm down!
female student- Talk to the devotees?! (Muttering to herself) Am I going mad? Is it the
heat? Have I lost my mind? (Addressing the Image now) So you can actually hear me?
Ashtabhuji Image- Oh yes. Clear as day.
Female student- I’m not going crazy?
Ashtabhuji Image- Would a centuries old image of a divine Goddess lie to u dear. I would
love to have a chat with an inquisitive child like you, and respond to your queries, as far as I
can.
Female Student-I can’t believe this is actually happening. It’s a miracle. (Excited) Then, let
me ask u, when was this temple built? Why is it planned in the shape of a star?
Ashtabhuji Image- Calm down child. I’ll answer you one by one. The temple was probably
built by the rulers of the Panduvamshi dynasty that ruled South Kosala (present-day
Chhattisgarh) during the 7-8th centuries. The star shaped architectural design of the temple is
called stellate plan, with the seven points of the star spaced out uniformly at intervals of 6.3
metres. Since you are so interested, I suggest you to attend the annual ‘Raut Nach’ Festival.
Female student- What’s that?
Ashtabhuji Image- It is a festival that celebrates the folk dance of Raut Nach on the
occasion of Kartik Prabodhani Ekadashi. It’s a boisterous festival celebrated by the Rawat
community. The instruments used in Rawat Nach, include mohri, timki, gudum etc. The
music and dance are also accompanied by reading of dohas (couplets) from Tulsidas, Surdas
and Kabir. It’s a melodious and colourful festival, which you will certainly enjoy.
Female student- It sounds so exciting and alluring. I would love to experience it, and will
make a vlog, that I will share with my friends and family.
Ashtabhuji Image- Vlog! Now, that’s the new trend of your generation. I often see people
posing and dancing to make vlogs. Some of them even dress up exactly like locals of
Chhattisgarh, in dhotis and sarees. The boys wear dhotis and turbans made of cotton, and the
women wear bright colour sarees in the Kachhora style, along with ornaments made of
feathers, beads and cowries or metal cast necklace and silver ghunghuroos.
Female student- Wow! That’s an incredible idea. The dress up makes everything look so
much more real and contextualised. I would love to know more about the people of this place.
Ashtabhuji Image- There are people from various class and caste here, living together for
centuries. Some of them are the Chamars, the Gonds, the Ahir-Rawats, the Kurmis and the
Kawars. The Kawars owned most zamindari estates during British era. Janjgir is home to the
Chandranahu branch of the Kurmis who were known to be prosperous cultivators.
Female student- I didn’t know that this place was home to such a cosmopolitan population.
What kind of food do they eat?
Ashtabhuji Image- Dubraj rice and wheat are the key to the local dishes. Festivals witness
the preparation of the delicacy called petha, Rakhia Badi is a special curry made using the
rakhia fruit and other Indian spices. Muthia is a kind of dumpling, made with steam-cooked
rice. You can try these special delicacies in the village.
Female student- That sounds delicious. How do you think, you are placed in the socio-
cultural lives of these people?
Ashtabhuji Image- Since I embody the Ashtabhuji Devi, I enjoy a special position in the
hearts and minds of these people. The locals consider Ashtabhuji Mata as second only to the
Dakshina Kali of Dakshineshwar. On the occasion of Navaratri, devotes decorate the temple
with ‘Jyothi Kalash’ (earthen lamps placed on earthen pots). One spectacular attribute of this
centuries old temple, is the exquisite blend of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Saktism.
Female student- Yes. That is something I noticed earlier. The sculptures depict different
figure of different Bhakti sects. Can you please tell me about it?
Ashtabhuji Image- The gateway has beautifully sculpted door-jambs (vertical posts)
depicting two female divinities, identified as Ganga and Yamuna. The inner-jambs have
sculpted Naga figures (alternatively, Shiva-Pratiharas or Shiva’s gatekeepers) which extend
to the lintel of the door where they appear to meet a central figure which resembles a Garuda
(the divine eagle, mount of Lord Vishnu). Later, this shrine was constructed, and I was
established in its Garba griha.
Female student- That’s such an interesting synthesis of Bhakti imagery. I think this place is
quite underrated and there should be more efforts to promote tourism. I hope this place is
well looked after.
Ashtabhuji Image- Officially the temple is a Centrally Protected Monument under the
Raipur Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India. An Ashtabhuji Seva Samiti with a body
of administrators take care of the temple and handle its day-to-day affairs.
Female student- I can visualise people flooding this place, once they know of its rich and
vibrant history, culture and people. I want to know so much more about it.
Ashtabhuji Image- Oh dear, I would love to tell you more. But, I think it’s time for the
evening prayer. Soon there will be a crowd of enthusiastic locals, assembling for the prayer.
I’ll be too busy to chat with you.
Female student- Okay. I will bid you farewell today. Thank you so much for your kind
guidance madam. I will certainly come back to have a resourceful interaction again.
Goodbye!
Ashtabhuji Image- Goodbye dear child.
