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Miniature Temple Diorama inspired by Angkor Wat and Early North Indian Temple Traditions, ca. 2024.

 

Object Detail

 

Conceived and commissioned in 2024 by collector Ritesh Jaggi, this temple diorama is a contemporary work within a collection otherwise composed of historic artefacts. It was created by the collector’s own initiative rather than acquired. The piece measures approximately 51 inches in length, 24.5 inches in height, and 17.5 inches in width.

 

The composition draws its primary visual language from Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Two stone temple structures are partially obscured by driftwood evoking the aerial roots of banyan trees, recalling the jungle reclaimed ruins of Ta Prohm. Carved macaques watch from the background, echoing the Ramayana friezes of Angkor.

 

Inside, a sanctum inspired by the early Gupta period Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh (c. 6th century CE) houses a representation of Sheshashayi Vishnu, the reclining god upon the serpent Ananta. This iconography signifies pralaya, the suspension of existence between cosmic cycles. The precision of the carving at this reduced scale speaks to the artisans’ skill.

 

Surrounding the sanctum, carved panels depict the ten avatars of Vishnu on one side and apsaras playing veena, mridangam, and cymbals on the other. Two attendant figures flank the entrance. In Vaishnavite tradition, the doorkeepers of Vishnu’s abode Vaikuntha are named Jaya and Vijaya. Their presence here guards the threshold between the outer world and the sacred interior.

 

Executed in red stone with assembled driftwood, this work is not a reproduction but an interpretation. There is no second example.

 

 

Provenance

 

From a Private Collection in Mumbai, India.

 

Condition

 

Excellent overall condition.

 

Dimension

 

Length – Approx 51 inches.

Height – Approx  24.5 inches.

Width – Approx 17.5 inches.

 

Literature Comparison

 

1.Bhagavata Purana. Translated by G. V. Tagare. Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology Series. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1976. (See especially Books III and X.) → https://archive.org/details/BhagavataPuranaMotilalEnglish

 

2.Vishnu Purana. Translated by H. H. Wilson. London: Trübner & Co., 1864. Reprint, Delhi: Nag Publishers, 1980. → https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/index.htm

 

3.Secondary Sources – Indian Temple Architecture and Iconography Asher, Frederick M. The Art of Eastern India: 300–800. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1980.

→https://search.worldcat.org/title/art-of-eastern-india-300-800/oclc/6448148

 

4.Harle, James C. The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. 2nd ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994. (See chapters on Gupta period and Deogarh, pp. 115–117.) → https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300062175/art-and-architecture-indian- subcontinent/

 

5.Kinsley, David. Hindu Gods and Goddesses: Deities of the Hindu Pantheon. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1986. → https://books.google.com/books/about/Hindu_Gods_and_Goddesses.html

 

6.Kramrisch, Stella. The Hindu Temple. 2 vols. Calcutta: University of Calcutta, 1946. Reprint, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1976. → https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Hindu_Temple.html

 

7.Freeman, Michael. A Guide to Khmer Temples of Thailand and Laos. Bangkok: River Books, 2003. →

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Khmer-Temples-Thailand-Laos/dp/0834804506/

 

8.Roveda, Vittorio. Khmer Mythology: Secrets of Angkor. Bangkok: River Books, 1997. →

https://openlibrary.org/works/OL2329923W/Khmer_Mythology

 

9.Dehejia, Vidya. Indian Art. London: Phaidon Press, 1997. Williams, Joanna. The Art of Gupta India: Empire and Province. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1982. → https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1765029W/Indian_art

 

10.Williams, Joanna. The Art of Gupta India: Empire and Province. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1982. → https://openlibrary.org/books/OL4267768M/The_art_of_Gupta_India

 

11.King, Bob. “Vishnu Anantasayana Panel, Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh.” World History Encyclopedia, 20 May 2015. → https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3876/vishnu- anantasayana-panel-dashavatara-temple-deoga/

 

 

 

 

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