SiteRecordings

Archive Import: Religious histprical significance- This rihly ornamented temple, surrounded by a moat, was dedicated tothe warlike god Jagannathi.
23m high tower (sikhara), single entrance capped by an octangal squat shape and a dome, the four images of Vishnu are emphasised, seated aloft, facing the four quaters of the earth; SiteFeat: originally surrounded by a moat, now filled in: surrounded by an open space ringed around with mango trees:
Alterarions: eg addition of low redbrick wall and tiled path leading to the temple entrance, concreate path round temple.
Environ: Vishnu and Shiva temples near by. Actual address 57 Wadd Street (not Belvedere Road as given by NMC)
History: This temple was constructed by the late Pandit Shiskishan Maharaj, a devout Hindu priest and Sanskrit scholar who immigrated to South Africa in 1895. He constructed this structure of 21 metres using traditional primitive building methods, African labour and devotion to Jagganathi, the warlike god to whom it is dedicated.
The temple is based, as the name implies, on the famous temple on the banks of the Ganges and Furi . The hallmark of this Northern Indian Nagara architecture is the tall sikhara which dominates the axially arranged temple. This example therefore emerges as a massive, clear statement, square in plan on a circular built up ambulatory. It is surrounded by a moat that was used for ritual ablution and to define the hallowed ground for circumbulation.
The building is unique in that the builder did not surrender every square foot of the surface to the ornamentation. The four images of Vishau are thus emphasised, seated aloft, facing the four quarters of the earth.
The site is defined by the intelligent use of levels, water and the tall palms at the corners with the sikhara as a central climax. The form embodies a concept of permanence which is the result of a long evolution and a search for an ideal expression. The battered stone walls express the materials and the octagonal closure of the top is as of the Universe to all Hindus, thus unifying the whole structure.
Visual Description: 23m high tower (sikhara), single entrance capped by an octangenal squat shape and a dome.
Colours:
Site Features: originally surrounded by a moat, now filled in; other alterations/additions to site have taken place eg addition oflow redbrick wall and tiled path leading to temple entrance, concrete path round temple.
Condition: fair
Construction Date: 1901
Materials:
Catalogue: Peters, 1996, No: NC47, Significance Category: CAE