The Orissan temple architecture holds an appeal that is magnetic and almost stupefying in its extravagance and mobility. The dizzying heights of the heavily sculpted towers are as much reason for wonder as are the exquisitely wrought base-relief within their numerous halls. Orissa’s Golden Triangle of Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark alone gives the visitor a remarkable vision of the clear line of development linking the major temples.
The finger of creativity delineates an amorphous linkage amongst the Orissan temples but the beauty of each one is pulsating with life and joy. From the parsurameswar Temple at Bhubaneswar to the sun Temple at Konark, the temple architecture spans a period form the 7th to the 13th century A.D. The indigenous core of the Kalinga School of architecture rests on the two essential structures- the deula or the conical convex spire ending in a lotus shaped form; and the Jag Mohan or the porch structure. The inner sanctum lies at the base of the deula, while numerous other halls, of offering, of dance, bathing platform and other lesser shrines can be incorporated in the enclosed compound of the temple.
PURI TEMPLE:-PURI TEMPLE:-The holy city of Puri , 60 km from
Bhubaneswar, is one of the four holiest points of piligrimage for Hindus.
The reifning deity of the city, Lord Jaganath, whose temple was built way
back in the 12th century, is not only of great religious significance to the
people of Orissa but is revered by thousands of piligrims who seek his blessings
from every part of the country.This intense veneration of Jagannath, or the
Lord of teh Universe, reaches its zenith during the annual rites of the RathaYatra
in the month of June-July. PIC 1 PIC
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PARASURAMESWARA TEMPLE :-(650 AD) :- temple built in 650 ad
is one of the few earliest temples of bhubaneswar.this temple built inkalinga
style of temple architecture was dedicated to lord shiva but
there are images of lord Vishnu, Yama, Surya and seven mother goddesses.in
typical fashion,it is liberally sculpted with amorous couples, animals and
floral motifs.
VAITAL DEUL:-(800 AD):- Vaitul Deul is the shrine of Chamunda (a tantric form of the Goddess of Kali) or Shakti.seated on a corpse in a drak inner sanctum is the goddess Chamundfa, garland of skulls round her neck and flanked by a jackal and an owl. The niches on the inner wall depict equally startling images along with scenes of tantric rituals. It is the first of the temples to depict erotic sculptures, it is also unique in that the outer surface of the vault is plain while profusely embellished on the side.
MUKTESWARA TEMPLE :-(950 AD):- Often referred to as the “Gem
of Orissan Architecture” this temple has been built on the
lines of the kalinga school of temple architecture . this temple too
is a deviation in that the architects have blended old and new techniques
of planning and execution. The temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva Mukteswara ,
is carved with figures of ascetics in various poses of meditation and scenes
from the store house of Indian fables, the ‘Panchatantra’.A dip
in a sacred well to the east of the temple is supposedly a cure for infertility.
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BRAHMESWARA TEMPLE :-(1050 AD):- Brahmeswara Temple depicts the mature Orissan style of temple architecture . the deul and the jagmohan are both intricately carved and for the first time in temple architectural history musicians and dances appear on the outer walls and iron beams find their first use . one of the lost inscriptions stated that a queen Kolavati presented ‘many beautiful women’ to the temple,and it has been suggested that this is an evidence of the devadasi tradition which assumed such importance in later orissan temple architecture and temple life.
RAJARANI TEMPLE :-(1050 AD):-The Rajarani temple stands alone in a green field .Its one of the latest of the Bhuabneswar temples and is particularly finely sited. Its an essay in grace and poise and is particularly interesting in that it has no presiding deity. The name of this temple is supposed to be derived from the red gold sand stone used – Rajarani b eing the local name for the stone. PIC 1
SUN TEMPLE KONARK:-The magnificient Sun Temple at Konark is the culmination odf Orissan temple architecture, and one of the most stunning monuments of relegious architecture in the world. the massive structure now in ruins, sits in solitary splendour surrounded by drifting sand.the temple is built by the King Narshimadeva in the 13th century, the entire temple was designed in the shape of a colossal chariot, carrying the sun god ,Surya across the heavens. PIC 1 PIC 2
LINGARAJ TEMPLE :-(11TH CENTURY AD):-The great temple of bhubaneswar is off limits to all non-Hindus.close to the wall,on the northern side, is a viewing platform,originally erected for Lord Curzon during the days of the Raj.The temple is dedicated to Tribhuvaneswar or ‘Lord of the three worlds’,also known as Bhubaneswar . the temple is dedicated to Lord Siva the ‘Lingam’ here is unique in that it is a ‘hari hara’ lingam-half Siva and half Vishnu. there are 150 shrines within the immense Lingaraja complex ,many of them extremely interesting in their own right. PIC1 PIC2
YOGINI SHRINE ;-The Yogini shrine at Hirapur (dated 9th century) is important for its architectural variation from the main Orissan architectural genre. The temple is open to the sky (hypathethral). There are only four temples of this kind in India and two of them are in Orissa (the other one is at Ranipur-Jharial). Yogini Goddesses were worshipped in the hope of acquiring supernatural powers. It is 15km from Bhuaneswar. PIC 1
KHICHING :-The ancient capital of the Bhanja rulers, Khiching lies about 205 km away from Balasore and 150 km from Baripada. Scores of temples dominate the place, some of which are still in active worship. The predominant deity of Khicing is Kichakeswari. The most sacred Goddess of the Mayurbhanja chiefs. The temple dedicated to her is built entirely of chlorite slabs and unique of its kind in India. The sculptures are beautiful. The small museum here boasts of highly important historical specimens of sculpture and art. PIC 1
DHAULI :-Just 8 km away from Bhubaneswar looking down on the
plains that bore witness to the gruesome war waged on kalinga by the Mauryan
emperor Ashoka, stand the rock edicts of Dhauli. It was here that king Ashoka;
full of remorse renounced his blood thirsty campaign and turned to Buddhism.
The edicts are a living testimony to the king’s change to
heart. He urges his administrators to rule the land with justice and compassion.
The edicts are so remarkable that they have been excellently preserved, despite
the fact that they date back to the 3rd century BC. The rock edicts are topped
by a sculpted elephant, the universal symbol of Lord Buddha. The Shanti Stupa
or the peace pagoda, built through the Indo-Japanese collaboration, is located
on the opposite hill. PIC 1
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GHANTESWARI:-Situated at 35 kms from Sambalpur town this temple is very popular among the locals as well as tourists. As the name of the temple suggests, there are innumerable bells of various shapes and sizes that one can find in this temple.It is believed that sailors who used to travel via th place where the temple is located, would hear sounds of bells. It was then that the temple was built and Goddess Ghanteswari is worshipped here ever since.
VIRAJA TEMPLE:-One the prospesrous and ancient capital of Utkal,
Jajpur was an important and
flourishing centre for trade and commerce in the olden days.it is one of the
sacred piligrim points in Orissa.Goddess
Viraja (Durga) is the city's reigning deity. PIC
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HUMA:-Huma is home to the famous leaning temple dedicated to Lord Bimaleswar,situated about 32km from Sambalpur, on the bank of the Mahanadi river, it offers tourists a beautiful view of the surroundings. PIC 1
RANIPUR-JHARIAL :-Located in the verdant environs of the Titlagarh sub-division in Blangir district, the twin villages of Ranipur_Jharial bear strong traces of their ancient heritage.Tantrisim obviously enjoyed a great deal of influence in the region are a number of temples that are great of interests of tourists.The finest specimen of a brick temple is the 20 metres high Indranath temple. It is one of the tallest brick temples of ancient India. PIC 1
NRUSINGHANTH TEMPLE :-Located in the sacred Gangadhamardan Hills, which acording to legends, Hanuman carried his shoulders from the Himalayas as described in the ancient epic Ramayana,its an important piligrimage site.The present temple loacted at the source of the Papaharini stream is a 14th century structure built on a more ancient site. eh site of the temple is unique stone steps wind up the hillside behind the temple, leading past a waterfall, and eventually curving under the falls to a spot where some beautiful and very well preserved releif structures are found.
MADHAVA TEMPLE :-The famous Madhava temple is located on the
eastern bank of teh Prachi River about 6 kms from Niali(Cuttack District).the
temple was built in 13th century. this temple is some times reffered
to as
"Durgamadhava"because of the presence a of small
Durga statue next to the Madhava inside the sanctum.This joint worship
of Durga and Madhava is unique tomOrissa Vaishavism.Madhava is a temple in
active worship and
in fact draws a large number of piligrims from all over Orissa.
