This collection has pics of Anantavasudev, Parasurameshwar, Lingaraj, Chitrakarini and Vaital Deul temples. U see rear side of Anantavasudev mandir - early morning pic. It is a replica of
the Lingaraj Temple, built on the east bank of the Bindu Sagar in 1278 A.D. It is the only imp Vaishnava shrine standing in Bhubaneswar. Deities enshrined in the sanctum are Krishna,
Balarama and Subhadra.
Temple is noted for its profusely decorated exterior (u see a sample).
Just opposite the Anantavasudev is Bindu Sagar that you see. It is believed to contain water from every sacred river in India. There is something special about Bindu Sagar - really
felt there is something special about it even though at the time I saw it, did not know it was Bindu Sagar. Machine on right is being used to clean the water.
Board outside Parasurameshwar Temple, is the oldest temple in Bhubhaneswar. Temple is assigned to 7th century a.d. The spire is 13 m high, has no platform. Temple typifies the stage
of Shaiva Pasupata sect, illustrated by the frequent representation of Lakulisa.
Rear side view of temple. It is a 2 minute walk from Mukteswara Mandir. Spire is 13 m high, jagamohana is rectangular with a flat roofed hall. The outer walls have sculptures from the
Saiva tradition.
An early morning view of the temple from front side - rising sun''s rays give it this color. Note the latticed windows in centre of pic and the gradual inclination of the spire. The long and
rectangular jagamohana preceding the sanctum was probably a subsequent addition. The Orissan temple is essentially astylar and the pillars have seldom a place in the composition of
Orissan temples.
Sculptured reliefs on wall of jagamohana. Some caption material taken from The History and Culture of Indian People vol 5 by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan.
Lower relief shows musicians - centre playing the flute and another with a drum. Top relief look like dancers. Three men have a snake in their hand. Man on extreme left has his back
facing whilst other two are front facing.
Image of Kartikeya with a peacock and the lintel above illustrates the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Below centre of pic is Peacock ie the vehicle of Kartikeya.
Pot bellied Ganesha seated on a simhasana with his trunk touching a bowl of ladoos.
Lower relief right side is Shiva n Parvati. Left side could be six hands of Vishnu.
Close up of the 13 m spire. Simple and elegant work. Note that elevation of spire is gradual, not steep.
Flower vendor outside Lingaraj temple. Our temples generate so much of employment for people inside and outside the temple.
Early morning view of the Lingaraj Temple, the biggest temple complex in Bhubhaneswar. It has a spire called Sri Mandir, jagamohana, the bhoga mandapa (hall of offering) and nata
mandir (hall of dance). There are about 100 subsidiary shrines around the main temple. The spire is about 160 feet in height. Scholars say temple is dated about 1100 A.D.
Earlier pic was main temple with others on eastern side, this one is temples on western side. Known as Krittivasas Temple dating back to the reign of Anantavarman Chodaganga of the
Ganga dynasty 1114-15 A.D., the main deity is Shiva as Tribhubaneswar (Lord of the Three Worlds). The 2.5 m thick lingam is swayambhu (literally meaning self born). Also popular
as Hari Hara as it is considered to half Shiva and half Vishnu.
Temples on western side. There is a boundary wall all along the temple. U cannot photograph inside the temple - there is an elevated platform from where one can click.
Temples in centre with jagamohana and spire behind. The spire is under renovation. Missed identifying the Parvati temple in the northeast known as for its fine carving. In its chamber
51 beggars and 51 priests eat the daily food offerings purportedly consumed by Parvati, a custom even now surviving since its existence in 1274 A.D.
Close up of spire viewed against early morning sun. U see deul called Sri Mandir is 54 m high. On the rahapaya of each face, centre of pic, projects the figure of a lion, rampant on an
elephant (gaja-simha), that looks as if leaping in space.
U see umbrella shaped khapuri surmounted by the kalasa and the trident, the emblem of God installed within. Close up view of top of spire. Lions on all sides. Next to lions image is that of Shiva with folded hands.
View of temples on eastern side against rising sun. There are temples all around the main sanctum. To see pics of Kiradu Temples, Barmer, Rajasthan Click here
Temples on eastern side - just loved this pic so showing close up even though you saw in earlier pic. Lingaraj Temple is a must visit and can be compared to the best in India.
Vegetable vendor selling gobi or cauliflower outside Lingaraj temple.
Overview of Chitrakarini Temple - is a minute away from Lingaraj temple.
On four sides the main temple is surrounded by smaller temples as you see.
Sculptures in Chitrakarini temple.
Close up view of a panel in floral design.
Flower vendor outside Lingaraj temple.
Vaital temple is dedicated to tantric worship, belongs to the 8th century. Its most striking feature is the semi cylindrical shape of its sanctuary tower bearing an affinity to the gopuram
of the temples of South India. Temple is 11.5m high and dedicated to Goddess Chamunda. The exterior of the temple has lavishly carved images some of which you will see. The
tantric character of temple is also marked by the stone post to which sacrificial offerings were tethered.
Overview of temple. To right of pic is Sisiresvar Temple i.e. dedicated to Shiva and attributed to 8th century a.d. VAITAL temple belongs to an offshoot of Kalinga School, the Khakhara order.
Temple top portion. Image in lower part of pic is Surya Devata (God) with Usha (Dawn) and Aruna in front driving a chariot of 7 horses. Image above that is of dancing Shiva. To see
pics of Kailasa Temple, Ellora Click here
Image on temple exterior. Not sure but left lower side is Shiv-Parvati, centre is Lakulisa. To see pics of Mukteswara Temple Bhubaneswar Click here
In centre is 8 armed Chamunda, locally known as Kapalini (the terrifying form of Goddess Durga). Chamunda sits on a corpse flanked by a jackal and an owl and decorated with a
garland of skulls. She holds a snake, bow, shield, sword, trident, thunderbolt and an arrow, and is piercing the beck of the demon. Durg Temple Aihole Karnataka has similar pics. To
see pics Click here
Ardhanarishvara (Shiva as half-man, half-woman). Woman indicated by breast. To read more Click here
Rear side of temple. Centre lower is 4 armed woman and at a higher level is man - both in meditative posture. To see pics of Raja Rani and other temples Click here
Image of Ganesha, so popular in Maharashtra but whose images are found in temples all over India. Photo captions mostly taken from RBS Visitors Guide India booklet on Orissa. Very
good. To read Ganesha - Global God in a Globalised World Click here
Image of Kubera, the Goddess of Wealth. To know about Kubera Click here
Image of Buddha as Avalokiteshwara. In case of any errors in captions do write back. To read more about Vaital Temple Click here