History of Architecture- Indo-Aryan Temples of Orissa

A presentation on Indo-Aryan Temples of Orissa. The architectural features, elements, planning, and the history of the temples. Plans, Sections and Elevations of Puri Jagannath Temple, Lingaraj Temple, Sun Temple Konark, Raja Rani Temple, Mukteshwara Temple, Parasurameshwara Temple, Anantha Vasudeva Temple.

1. HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE INDO-ARYAN TEMPLES OF ORISSA

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. PURI JAGANNATH TEMPLE

6. 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.

7. 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. T he 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.

8. Architecture The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet (37,000 m 2 ), 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 - Deula, Vimana or Garba griha where the triad deities are lodged on the ratnavali (Throne of Pearls). In Rekha Deula style; Mukhashala (Frontal porch); Nata mandir/ Nata Mandapa , which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall).

9. 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).

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. LINGARAJ TEMPLE

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

16. 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 11 th 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 11 th century,while the hall of offering(bhoga-mandapa)was built during the 12 th century.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. JAGAN-MOHANA •The tower is 30 m high. •The jagan- mohana(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.

21. 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.

22. SECTIONS

23. MUKTESHWAR TEMPLE ‘The gem of Odisha’

24. 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

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

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

27. 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.

28. Plan The temple has a porch, called torana , which acts as the gateway to the octagonal compound 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. The temple is a small one compared to other larger temples in Bhubaneswar. Height of the length is about 45’ feet , shakira height is about 35’ feet and wider part width is about 25’ feet. The temple is generally highly finished and has an ornamentation of interesting carved patterns.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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.

36. RAJARANI TEMPLE

37. 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

38. 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 )

39. GALLERY

40. 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.

41. Plans ,sections

42. PARASURAMESWARA TEMPLE

43. 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.

44. 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.[

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

46. ANANTA VASUDEVA TEMPLE

47. SUN TEMPLE, KONARK

48. 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.

49. 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).

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. 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).

53. 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'.

54. 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

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