Few Words of Acknowledgement
The archaeologic excavations at Maulapur-Pataura had been conducted at the request of MP Prabhu Shah of the place who had personally initiated to work in the temple premises, whereas all the financial support to this project has been made aviable by the Maulapur Municipality. This excavation was directed by the present writer and in this work archaeologist Mr. Sunil Gautam, engineer Mrs. Roshani Maharjan had prepared all the drawings, and Mr. Rajkumar Dua had done all the photographic works. I prefer to thank all the technical persons of the Department of Archaeology and to the ex-Director General Mr. Bhesh Narayan Dahal as well as to the present DG Mr. Damodar Gautam of the Deperatment for their cooperation. We all from the team members are also very much obliged to the Mayer of Maulapur for arranging a very comfortable stay and other facilities at her residence in the town
The style of Pataura-Maulapur temple
The temple (Prasada, Shivalaya, Matha) of Pataura had been built in Shikhara and Saptaratha style having only one Spire (Sirsa) with-bricks. It has a Sanctum and an attached Portico. The temple measuring 378 cm (East-West) and 368 cm on the (North-South), is facing east and has a door on the east. There was a brick ladder to step down to the paved floor. Thus, the temple has a high plinth (Adhisthan, Pada), upon which is a Saptaratha body (Vimana). On the doorway there were stone frames (Dvara-stambh) having images of Ganesha and Karttikeya. Over the door, there were decorated stone lintels (Masuraka). Some of the decorated stone pieces and a piece with Ganesha are still lying in the compound. Over the neck (Gala) there were Amalaka, Ghatakalash, and Vijapuraka. There was a Chulika to hold all these elements (Prasadopari Suvarna Patal Kalash Chhatra Suvarna Puspamala Dhvajavaroh - Insp, dated 827 NS - 1707 CE vastu granth suchi, Rastriya Abhilekhalaya, p.110).
Come to ‘The Pataura Shiv Mandir’ with blissful pride!
Come; fall in love, every time!!!