Bhubaneswar: City of Temples
Bhubaneswar, the capital of the state of Orissa, is
believed at one time to have had 7000 temples — over 400 still
remain, including this elegant little temple (the Muktesvara temple)
built in the 10th century. The typical north Indian temple,
especially those, like this one, dedicted to Shiva, consist of a sequence
of independent structures that share a common plinth. Each structure is
progressively taller. The final spire, the sikhara, is a solid
mass with only a small cavity to hold the image of the diety.
While Orissan temples closely follow this model they have a distinctive
decorative program. As seen in the photograph, the sikhara,
called a deul in Orissan architecture, is a rectangular box
that slopes inward at the top, is crowned by a topknot, is strongly
vertically ribbed, and then more finely horizontally ribbed. Decorative
sculpture is more restrained than in temples found elsewhere in India.
The structure in front of the deul is the assembly hall
(jagamohana), which has a pyramidal roof, has an open interior
to hold worshippers, and is more highly decorated. Larger temples may
have one, or even two, additional structures that precede the
jagamohana.
Photo taken: January 28, 2008
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