Miscon – Keeping It Up

Miscon is one of the temples which form part of the Khajuraho group of temples in Madhya Pradesh. Miscon is well known for its weird architecture and the deity therein. The methods of worship here are weird too and do not match with any of the other group temples, which essentially follow hindu, jain and buddhist religions. Some say Miscon follows methods of the Mayans. The number of visitors who visit this temple is phenomenal, given its relatively lesser visual appeal. Especially, when compared to other exotic sculptures seen in the Khajuraho group of temples, which follow the nagara-style of architecture. Miscon is built using poles and dome-like roof atop each structure. It is located closer to Rajnagar, which is the exit path for all visitors touring the Khajuraho.

This temple was built in the year 970AD and ever since, the Sheera cult had prevailed here. The first few pillars with which construction began, while the Sheera was in exile can be seen even today. The Chandela Rajput king during the period was very unhappy with the growing popularity for the Sheer and his ways of worship, and sent him on exile.

The deity here is the Chief Priest, The Sheer, himself. Miscon is typical of its ways of worship. The central sanctum, which forms the biggest part of the temple, hosts a podium and a large hall and supported by 3500 poles. The Sheer occupies the podium all day, whom the visiting devotees worship all through the day. By night, when the devotees leave, the Sheer goes about looking at every pole, large and small, round and square, thick or thin, testing them for their load-bearing capabilities. Not having another soul nearby, he spends all night going around this temple. Miscon is what it is because of him. Sheera, that’s how he is known to all, has been the Brahma, Vishnu and of course Maheshwar too to Miscon. He builds and re-builds the temple almost every second day.

Miscon stands on large and small poles; solid and some hollow; round and square of varying sizes, thickness and structural strength. The last count of these poles counted during the end of last year is 4,327. Some of those earlier pillars continue to be there. Basis the varying levels of exposures, the outer ones have thinned and weathered, while the inner ones have assimilated more weight and fattened with more mud and corroded metal near the bottom.

The Sheer continues to do maintenance and upkeep during the nights when it is dark. He being busy as Deity all day, and due to fear of dilution or elimination, does everything by himself. It is not coincidence that being amongst the most exotic temples of Khajurahu, its location too is its added advantage. There has been no dearth for devotees. Having completed their visits to all Temples in the region, all of which propagate the essence and need for conjugal love, devotees end up here craving and praying for the nuptial knot. Miscon and its Sheer have never disappointed the devotees. Attribute to desperation or the impact of the surrounding temples, devotees’ sincere and honest prayers, seeking conjugal love, are always addressed.

Sheer, over the years of playing God, did ignore that darkness renders him (anyone) blind. He fought within himself and won over himself convincing beyond doubt. HE, being God, can ‘See’ in the ‘Dark’. So, when he moved poles or replaced or added new ones, he would dig square and round holes and most of the time end up placing the poles wrong way. Besides, the height or reach of poles weren’t in his considerations. Some short ones stood tall in places and there the roof would cave in. While some tall ones would be protruding out into the sky, where roof would fall short. Being the sole soul to whom he could speak and more so, listen, there wasn’t anything that changed.

With age, the weird structure itself became the USP and talking stuff for the visiting devotees. Some of them would pass comments on some caved in roof and some poles lying astray. If the Sheer ever heard them, will take drastic steps to rectify it, during night. So, Miscon continued to be weird on some aspect or the other, and thus, offering a changed scene for visitor.

Devotees’ prayers for wedlock were so strong that the ambience and some inconveniences of the Temple became insignificant. Faith prevailed over everything else. Miscon and the Sheer continue to fulfil their prayers with ease. Comes along perennial donations from devotees, keeping the Temple coffers flowing and keeping it up.