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Bairagir Bhita is a temple site within the citadel of MAHASTHAN (PUNDRANAGAR), about 76m south of the northern rampart. Excavated in 1928-29, the site proved to be the remains of two fragmentary temples of the early and late Pala periods (8th-9th century and 11th century) along with some subsidiary structures in the open courtyard to the north enclosed within a perimeter wall.
A north-south running drain bisected the temple into two parts. A portion of the drain was built of brick and the rest was built of black basalt stone which had been retrieved from earlier Gupta levels. Of these stone pieces, two highly ornamental pillars were found to be scooped out to a depth of about 12.7cm on the lee side to form a channel intended probably to carry the libation water of the shrine.
These square stone pillars, chamfered at the corners, are decorated with half-lotus medallions, Kirtimukha, and beautiful floral scrolls in the typical Gupta style.
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