Photo 1000/33(3328)

Genre: Architectural Photography

View of triple-arched entrance, with richly-carved surrounds. The series of views of the temple is described by Ravenshaw as follows: 'The eight views of Kantonugger represent different features of a Hindoo temple to Kanti (Vishnu), commenced in 1704 by Rajah Prannath ('Martin's India', page 628). It is in perfect preservation: the ruin prognosticated by Dr Buchanan has not come to pass. It is still kept up by the Rajbaree; and the image, said to have been brought from the Jumna, is still kept in the temple. The building itself is profusely ornamented with sculptures representing the various legends of Hindoo mythology. These sculptures are not mouldings in brick, such as are so common in Gour, but are all chiselled out from the bricks after erection. The bricks themselves are very hard, as may be supposed from the 150 years these sculptures have been remaining in preservation.' (Descriptive note of the photographs of ancient architectural remains in Kantonugger and Bannugger, Bengal pub. proc., no. 26 of October 1871, IOR/P/156). Modern photographs show that the towers of the building have been removed (George Michell (ed), 'Brick temples of Bengal' (Princeton, 1983), plate 605). India Museum no. 821.