7. Ratnavedi and Garuda Stambha

Ratnavedi or Jagati is an elevated platform on which the deities (Chaturdha Murti) sits inside the temple. According to to the mukti mandapa pandita sabha the ratnavedi or pedestral contains number of  Salagrama. The Salagrama is nothing but ammonite fossils but taken to be a holy stone and worshiped by the followers of Vishnu from the ancient times. The Salagrama shila is found in the bed of river Gandaki a tributary of the Ganga. It is also found in the bed of The Narmada.  

In the Nata Mandira of the temple on the eastern side the holy Garuda stambha is located . Everyone must have felt the uncommon scene of big eyes behind the Garuda stambha. One the first sight the Garuda stambha looks like an ordinary stone column surmounted by a garuda figure on the top.But on close examination the shaft seems to be a remnant of a old plant, some says it has the impression of Saal tree shorn of its bark. Now the interesting fact is the 7 fit long shaft of the Garuda stambha is not an ordinary stone but a Salagrama stone which is unique in the fossil record of India.Another fact is the Garuda placed on the shaft and the Ratnavedi are on same height from sea level.. Amazing but true.