History of Architecture- Indo-Aryan Temples of Orissa

HISTORY OF
ARCHITECTURE
INDO-ARYAN TEMPLES OF ORISSA

INTRODUCTION
The temple architecture of Odisha corresponds to
altogether a different category for their unique
representations called Kalinga style of temple
architecture. This style broadly comes under the
Nagara style. The Kaḷinga architectural style is a
style of Hindu architecture which flourished in the
ancient Kalinga previously known as Utkal and part of
the kingdom of Magadha or present eastern Indian
state of Odisha.
The style consists of three distinct types of temples:
Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula. The
former two are associated with Vishnu, Surya and Shiva
temples while the third is mainly with Chamunda and
Durga temples. The Rekha Deula and Khakhara Deula
houses the sanctum sanctorum while the Pidha Deula
constitutes outer dancing and offering halls.

The generic name of the Odisha temples is deul, which has
in its front a square building or assembly hall called
jagamohan, which corresponds to the mandapa. These two
edifices combine to form the essentials of an Odishan
temple. Later other structures like the Nat-Mandir or Dancing
Hall and Bhog Mandir or Hall of Offerings were added to the
temple structure. The lower and the upright portion of the
duel is called the bada, the tall middle portion is called
chhapra, the flat fluted disc at the summit is called amla and
its finial is called kalasa. The Orissan temples as a whole are
of the astylar order, pillars being notable by their absence.
In Kalinga Architecture, basically, a temple is made in two
parts, a tower, and a hall. The tower is called deul and the
hall is called Jagmohan. The walls of both the duel and the
Jagmohan are lavishly sculpted with architectural motifs and
a profusion of figures. The most repeated form is the
horseshoe shape, which has come from the earliest times,
starting with the large windows of the chaitya-grihas. It is the
deul or delua which makes three distinct types of temples in
Kalinga Architecture.

The Odishan temples are divided into three groups:
(a) Early Period (c.750-900 A.D.) e.g. Parashurameshvara and
Lakshmanesvara temples at Bhubaneswar.
(b) Middle Period (c.900-1100 A.D.) e.g. Mukteshwara and
Lingaraja temple at Bhubaneswar and Jagannath temple at
Puri.
(c) Later Period (c.1100-1250 A.D.) e.g. Raja Rani Temple at
Bhubaneshwar and the Sun Temple at Konark.
The main group of temples is concentrated in Bhubaneshwar,
which is known as the "Temple City of India". The Lingaraja
Temple, built in the 11th century, is the finest of the 600-odd
temples of Bhubaneswar. The Mukteshwara Temple built in
the 10th century is richly sculpted and is well known for its
stone arch at the entrance and extensive carvings of the tales
from the Panchatantra. The temple is a magnificent example of
Orissa Architecture. The Rajarani temple, the
Parasurameswara temple, the Svarna Jaleswar temple, the
Vaital temple and the Yogini temple are the other renowned
temples in Bhubaneshwar.

Introduction
The Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, located
on the eastern coast of India, at Puri in the state of Odisha. The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th
century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva,
first of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha yatra, or chariot
festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.
Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are a trio of deities worshipped at the temple.

History
The temple was built by the Ganga dynasty king Anantavarman
Chodaganga in the 12th century CE. Anantavarman was originally
a Shaivite, and became a Vaishnavite sometime after he
conquered the Utkala region (in which the temple is located) in
1112 CE. A 1134–1135 CE inscription records his donation to the
temple. Therefore, the temple construction must have started
sometime after 1112 CE.
The temple annals, the Madala Panji records that the Jagannath
temple at Puri has been invaded and plundered eighteen times. In
1692, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb ordered to close the temple.
The temple was plundered and looted because of enormous
wealth present in it. Due to these attacks, the idols of Lord
Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were transferred to various
places in order to save them.

Architecture
The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet
(37,000 m2), and is surrounded by a high fortified wall. This 20 feet
(6.1 m) high wall is known as Meghanada Pacheri. Another wall
known as kurma bedha surrounds the main temple. It contains at least
120 temples and shrines. With its sculptural richness and fluidity of
the Oriya style of temple architecture, it is one of the most magnificent
monuments of India. The temple has four distinct sectional structures,
namely -
1. Deula, Vimana or Garba griha where the triad deities are
lodged on the ratnavali (Throne of Pearls). In Rekha Deula
style;
2. Mukhashala (Frontal porch);
3. Nata mandir/Nata Mandapa, which is also known as the
Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall),
4. Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall).

The main temple is a curvilinear temple and crowning the
top is the 'srichakra' (an eight spoked wheel) of Vishnu.
Also known as the "Nilachakra", it is made out of
Ashtadhatu and is considered sacrosanct. Among the
existing temples in Orissa, the temple of Shri Jagannath
is the highest. The temple tower was built on a raised
platform of stone and, rising to 214 feet (65 m) above the
inner sanctum where the deities reside, dominates the
surrounding landscape. The pyramidal roofs of the
surrounding temples and adjoining halls, or mandapas,
rise in steps toward the tower like a ridge of mountain
peaks.
The Nila Chakra is a disc with eight Navagunjaras
carved on the outer circumference, with all facing
towards the flag post above. It is made of alloy of
eight metals (Ashtadhatu) and is 3.5 Metres (11 feet
and 8 inches) high with a circumference of about 11
metres (36 feet).

The Singhadwara (The Lion Gate), is one of the four gates
to the temple and forms the Main entrance. The
Singhadwara is so named because two huge statues of
crouching lions exist on either side of the entrance. The
gate faces east opening on to the Bada Danda or the
Grand Road. The Baisi Pahacha or the flight of twenty two
steps leads into the temple complex. A magnificent
sixteen-sided monolithic pillar known as the Aruna
stambha stands in front of the main gate. This pillar has an
idol of Arun, the charioteer of the Sun God Surya, on its
top.
Apart from the Singhadwara, which is the main
entrance to the temple, there are three other
entrances facing north, south and west. They are
named after the sculptures of animals guarding
them. The other entrances are the Hathidara or
the Elephant Gate, the Vyaghra Dwara or the
Tiger Gate and the Ashwadwara or the Horse
Gate.

The Dola Mandapa is noteworthy for a beautifully carved stone
Torana or arch which is used for constructing a swing for the
annual Dol Yatra festival. During the festival the idol of
Dolagobinda is placed on the swing. The Snana Bedi is a
rectangular stone platform where idols of Jagannath,
Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed for ceremonial bathing
during the annual Snana Yatra.
There are many minor temples in the precincts of
Jagannath Temple and Vimala temple is one of them.
Hindu mythology says that the feet of Goddess Sati has
fallen on the spot where the temple is constructed. The
food offered to Lord Jagannath is also offered to goddess
Vimala then it is called Mahaprasad.

There are many Mandapas or Pillared halls on
raised platforms within the temple complex meant
for religious congregations. The most prominent
is the Mukti Mandapa the congregation hall of
the holy seat of selected learned Brahmins. Here
important decisions regarding conduct of daily
worship and festivals are taken. Mukti Mandapa
is a platform made with granite and its height is
five feet. The square-shaped mandapa covers an
area of 900 square feet. The roof of the mandapa
is supported by twelve pillars out of which four
are built in the middle. The roof is 13 feet high
while the height of each pillar is 8 feet. Idols of
many gods and goddesses have been installed
here.

The temple was plastered with a thick coat of lime
sometime in the 16th century A.D. to protect its
surface from decay caused by saline wind. Quoting
some temple records, the application of lime
plaster was done for the first time during the reign
of Prataparudra Deva on both the Vimana and
Jagamohana. Such plastering to have been done
in 1647 A.D. Thereafter successive plasters had
been applied in 18th century.

•LOCATION : Bhubaneshwar,Orissa
•BUILT BY : Jajati Keshari in 11th century
•DEDICATED TO : Lord Shiva
•STYLE : Kalinga Architecture
•MATERIAL : Laterite Stone
•TOTAL AREA : 1049.66 sq m
INTRODUCTION

HISTORY
•Lingaraja temple is believed to be the oldest and the
largest temple of bhubaneswar,it is more than 1100 years
old.
•The temple of Lingaraj is highly revered by the followers of
Hinduism.The term ‘Lingaraj’ suggests ‘ The king of
Lingas’,where ‘linga’ is the phallic form of lord shiva.
•In the 11th century,when the king shifted this capital from
Jaipur to Bhubaneswar,he started the construction of
Lingaraj temple.
•The assembly hall (jagamohana),sanctum and the temple
tower were built during the 11th century,while the hall of
offering(bhoga-mandapa)was built during the 12th century.

ARCHITECTURE
•One of the finest examples of purely Hindu temple in India.
•The Lingaraj temple faces east and is built of sandstone and laterite.
•The main entrance is located in the east, while there are small
entrances in the north and south.
•The temple has 4 components namely,
Garbhagriha,Jaganmohana(assembly hall),nata mandira(festival hall)
bhoga-mandapa( hall of offerings).
•The door in the gate of the entrance porch is made of sandalwood.
•One can enter the temple complex through ‘simha dwara’(the lion’s
gate),where lions flank both the sides, crushing elephants under their
feet.
•The exterior walls of the hall has decorative sculptures of men and
beast.
•The tower walls are sculpted with female figures in different poses.

ARCHITECTURE
•The bhoga-mandapa(hall of offering) measures 42 ft. x 42 ft. from inside,56.25
ft. x 56.25 ft. from outside and has 4 doors in each of the sides.
•The nata mandira(festival hall) measures 38 ft. x 38 ft. from inside,50 ft. x 50
ft. from outside , has one main entrance and two side entrances. The side walls
of the hall has decorative sculptures displaying women and couples.
•The jaganmohana (assembly hall) measures 35 ft. x 30 ft. from inside, 55 ft. x
50 ft. from outside, entrances from south and north and has a 98 ft. tall roof.
•The tower is 180 ft. high and the complex has 150 smaller shrines.
•The hall of offering and assembly hall both has a pyramidal roof. It bears an
inverted bell and a kalasha in the top.
•The temple is enshrined within a spacious compound wall of laterite measuring
160 m x 140 m.
•The wall is 2.3 m thick and surrounded by a plain slant coping.

GARBHA GRIHA
•The Rekha deula has a 54.864 m tall pyramidal tower over the sanctum and measures 6.7 m x 6.7 m
from inside.
•16 m x 16 m from outside over the sanctum.
•It is covered with decorative design and seated lion projecting from the walls.
•The sanctum is square in shape from inside.
•The temple has a vast courtyard mired with hundreds of small shrines.

JAGAN-MOHANA
•The tower is 30 m high.
•The jaganmohana(assembly hall) measure 11 m x 9.1 m from inside.
•17 m x 15 m from outside.
•The hall has a pyramidal roof made up of several horizontal layers
arranged in sets of 2 with intervening platform as in the hall of offering.
•Entrances from south and north.
•The facade to the entrances are decorated with perforated windows
with lion sitting on hind legs.
•The inverted bell above second unit is adored by khalsa and lions.
•In the interior if the jagan –mohan are 2 rows of pillars,3 in each row
,producing a miniature nave and aisles;these pillars were originally
monoliths having plain square shafts, no bases,but with volute bracket
capitals.

NATA MANDAPA & BHOGA MANDAPA
NATA MANDAPA(FESTIVAL HALL)-
•It measures 12 m x 12 m from inside and 15 m x 15 m from outside.
•Has one main entrance and two side entrances.
•It has flat roof sloping in stages.
BHOGA MANDAPA(HALL OF OFFERINGS)-
•It measures 13 m x 13 m from inside, 17.15 m x 17.15 m from outside.
•It has 4 doors in each of the sides.

MUKTESHWAR TEMPLE
‘The gem of Odisha’

Other name : ‘ the gem of odisha’
Built year : 950-975 CE
Built by : Yayati I, Somvanshi dynasty
Architecture style : Kalinga style
Dedicated to : Lord Shiva
Place : bhubaneswar, odisha
INTRODUCTION

About somvanshi dynasty
1. Ruled odisha between 9th - 12th century.
2. These people introduced a new style of art and architecture in odisha
3. Their rule saw a remarkable shift from buddhism to brahmanism.
4. were more concerned with elaboration than with any introduction of new
features or forms indicating new directions of development.

What makes this temple unique?
1. Presence of TORANA, which isn't part of any other temple
2. The splendid Torana of the temple, an ornamental arched gateway.
3. Represents that the builders were start of a new culture.
4. Earliest works of somvanshi period.
5. It is said to be the structure where the sculpture and architecture are in
synchronization with one another

Architecture
Comes under kalinga
architecture, also took
inspirations from buddhist
architecture
A typical Deula temple plan.
The plan is similar to
Mukteshwar Temple, except
that there is no second pidha
deula and khakhara deula.

Plan
1. The temple has a porch, called torana, which acts as
the gateway to the octagonal compound
2. The temple has two structures namely, the vimana
(structure above the sanctum) and a mukhasala, the
leading hall, both of which are built on a raised
platform.
3. The temple is a small one compared to other larger
temples in Bhubaneswar.
4. Height of the length is about 45’ feet , shakira height is
about 35’ feet and wider part width is about 25’ feet.
5. The temple is generally highly finished and has an
ornamentation of interesting carved patterns.

Porch or torana
● The most important feature of the
Mukteswara Temple is the torana, or the
arched gateway, dating back to about 900
CE and showing the influence of buddhist
architecture.
● Consist of semi circular arch carried by
two pillars.
● The carved ornamentation on the arch and
pillars gives a little lightness to a heavy
torana.

Vimana
● The Vimana is square in plan and is built in a
raised platform with pilasters in each facade.
● The shikara is small compared to other
temples;
● The top portion of the shikara has the kalasa.
● The shikara is 10.5 metres (34 ft) tall, with every
inch sculpted with decorative patterns,
architectural patterns and sculpted figures.
● The shikara is 10.5 metres (34 ft) tall, with every
inch sculpted with decorative patterns,
architectural patterns and sculpted figures.
● It is also known as rekha deula.

sanctum
● The sanctum is sculpted with beautiful
damsels exhibiting feminine charms entwined
with nagas and naginis. The sanctum is cubical
from the inside with offset walls in the
outside.
Jaganmohana
● Except for the rectangular plan of its
jagamohana, it is the earliest example of what
may be termed proper Odisha temple type; a
vimana with a curvilinear spire and a
jaganmohana with a stepped pyramidal roof.
Jagan mohana
sanctum

What is a deula ?
a building structure built with a particular style that is
seen in most of the temples from Odisha.
Rekha deula
Rekha in Oriya means a straight line. It is a tall
building with a shape of sugar loaf, looking like a
Shikhara.
Pidha Deula
It is a square building, typically with a pyramid-shaped
roof, rather like the vimana towers over the
sanctuaries of temples in southern Dravidian
architecture
Rekha deula

Khakhara deula
Khakhara deula is a rectangular
building with a truncated
pyramid-shaped roof, like the
gopuras.
● The pyramidal roof to the
jagamohana present in the
temple was the first of its
kind over the conventional
two tier structure.
Pidha deula

others
● There is a tank in the eastern side of the temple and a well in the south-western corner. A dip in
the first known as the Marichi Kunda is believed to cure infertility in women.
● There are other shrines within the temple complex with lingam inside, which were used as
offering shrines.[
● The temple is enclosed by a low compound wall that follows the contours of the temple.
● The temple has sculptures both inside and outside the structure. The compound walls leaves a
very small passage separating the shrine.

History :
Based on the sculptural architectural style, the temple is dated to the mid-11th
century. The Rajarani Temple was constructed between the 11th and 12th
century and was earlier known as the Indreshwar Temple. The architecture of
other temples in central India originated from this temple.
Sculptures
A carving depicting the holy matrimony between Shiva and Parvati can also be
found on the western side. The temple faces east direction the projecting entrance
of the temple has around thick columns entwined by naga sculpture

Architecture
The temple was constructed of red and yellow locally called as raja rani sand
tone . The glorious temple has been constructed in the pancharatha style. The
central shrine is known as the vimana or sanctum, which is at the height of 17.9
metres and has a curvilinear spire over the roof that rises to a height of 59 feet.
The viewing hall is known as jagamohana and has a pyramidal roof.
Type
Kalingan Pancharatha Style
(kalinga architecture )

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva . this temple was constructed
during the same time as that of Lingaraja temple. Roughly, it is stated
that this temple belongs towards the same period as that of Jagannath
temple as located in Puri.There is only one lingam as present inside the
temple, which are present inside the major sanctum. There are some
major festivals, which take place in Bhubaneswar, and this temple is
considered to be a main attractive point There are some pilgrimage
values, which you are likely to come across, while dealing with this
Raja Rani temple.

Parasurameswara Temple (IAST: Paraśurāmeśvara) also spelt Parashurameshvara, located in the
East Indian city of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is considered the best preserved specimen of
an early Odia Hindu temple dated to the Shailodbhava period between the 7th and 8th centuries CE.
The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is one of the oldest existing temples in the state.
It is believed to have been built around 650 CE in Nagara style and has all the main features of the
pre-10th century Odia-style temples. The temple is one among the Parashurameshvara group of
temples.

Parashurameshvara Temple is the first to have this additional structure. The
initial deul temples were without the jagamohana as seen in some of the older
temples in Bhubaneswar, while the later temples had two additional structures
namely nata-mandapa (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings). The
vimana is square in plan and the walls have sections called rathas or pagas. The
vimana has a curvilinear tower (called bada) in the form of a pyramid composed
of horizontal planes. The sanctum of the temple measures 9.88 × 9.75 ft (3.0 × 3.0
m) from the inside, 19.75 × 21 ft (6.0 × 6.4 m) from the outside and has a height of
40.25 ft (12.3 m).[11] Amalaka, a stone disk with ridges on the rim, is placed over
the bada of the temple.[

The temple is one of the earliest examples of the Nagara style of
Hindu temple architecture that emphasises vertical structure,

Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE sun temple at
Konark about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northeast from Puri
on the coastline of Odisha, India. The temple is
attributed to king Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern
Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE.
Dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, what remains of
the temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot
(30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all
carved from stone. Once over 200 feet (61 m) high,
much of the temple is now in ruins, in particular the large
shikara tower over the sanctuary.
This temple was called the "Black Pagoda" in European
sailor accounts as early as 1676 because its great tower
appeared black.
The cause of the destruction of the Konark temple is
unclear and remains a source of controversy.

The Konark Sun Temple was built from stone in the form of a giant ornamented chariot dedicated to
the Sun god, Surya. In Hindu Vedic iconography Surya is represented as rising in the east and
traveling rapidly across the sky in a chariot drawn by seven horses.
The Konark temple presents this iconography on a grand scale. It has 24 elaborately carved stone
wheels which are nearly 12 feet (3.7 m) in diameter and are pulled by a set of seven horses.
The architecture is also symbolic, with the chariot's twelve pairs of wheels
corresponding to the 12 months of the Hindu calendar, each month paired
into two cycles (Shukla and Krishna).

The temple plan includes all the
traditional elements of a Hindu
temple set on a square plan.
According to Kapila Vatsyayan, the
ground plan, as well the layout of
sculptures and reliefs, follow the
square and circle geometry, forms
found in Odisha temple design texts.
It has four doorways on its four
sides. The western one leads to the
antarala (inner sanctum), whereas
the others lead to the porches
outside. The interior is left
unadorned excepting a five feet (1.5
metre) wide ornamental chlorite
block on the sides and top of the
door-way of the inner sanctum, like
those fixed over the entrances to the
Jagamohana.

The walls of the temple from the temple's base through
the crowning elements are ornamented with reliefs, many
finished to jewelry-quality miniature details. The terraces
contain stone statues of male and female musicians
holding various musical instruments. Other major works of
art include sculptures of Hindu deities, apsaras and
images from the daily life and culture of the people (artha
and dharma scenes), various animals, aquatic creatures,
birds, mythological creatures, and friezes narrating the
Hindu texts.

The temple was in ruins before its restoration. Speculation
continues as to the cause of the destruction of the temple.
Early theories stated that the temple was never completed and
collapsed during construction. This is contradicted by textual
evidence and evidence from inscriptions. The Kenduli copper
plate inscription of 1384 CE from the reign of Narasimha IV
seems to indicate that the temple was not only completed but
an active site of worship.
The natural-damage theory is supported by the nearness of the
temple to the shore and the monsoons in the region that would
tend to cause damage.
The upper levels and terrace of the Konark Sun temple contain larger
and more significant works of art than the lower level. These include
images of musicians and mythological narratives as well as
sculptures of Hindu deities, including Durga in her
Mahishasuramardini aspect killing the shape-shifting buffalo demon
(Shaktism), Vishnu in his Jagannatha form (Vaishnavism), and Shiva
as a (largely damaged) linga(Shaivism).

The size of the wheel is of 9 feet 9 inches in diameter and each one of them having 8 wider spokes and
8 thinner spokes.Out of these 24 wheels 6 are in either side of the main temple, 4 wheels are on each
side of the Mukhasala and 2 wheels on each side of steps at eastern front. The huge wheels of the
Konark Temple are one of the major attractions for visitors.
According to some, the 7 horses represent the days of the week and the 12 pairs of wheels represent
the 12 months of the year and the 24 wheels signifies 24 hours of a day and the 8 major spokes
signifies prahars (three hour period) of a day. According to others, the wheels of the chariot have been
interpreted as the 'Wheel of Life'.

The size and architecture of the 24 wheels is same but each
one of them has been differently carved all over. The thicker
ones are all carved with circular medallions at their centres on
the widest part of the face. The axels of the wheels project by
about one foot from the surface, having similar decorations at
their ends. The rims are carved with designs of foliages with
various birds and animals, whereas the medallions in the
spokes are carved with the figures of women in various
luxurious poses

History of Architecture- Indo-Aryan Temples of Orissa

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