Monday 22 October 2012

Parasurämeswara Temple, Bhubaneswar


Paraçurämeçwara Temple, Bhubaneswar

Structurally, the Paraçurämeçwara Temple at Bhubaneswar is the oldest, dating middle of 7th century. It is the best preserved of the early temples of  Bhubaneswar.


Temple architecture/style
Being one of the earliest temples in Odisha, it has only two basic structures – the deula(vimäna) and jagamohana. Seeing Paraçurämeçwara Temple one can easily conclude that the addition of bhogamaëòapa and naöyamaëòapa (as they are in Lingaraja and Jagannatha Temples) was development of temple architectural style, at least in Odisha. In south, it developed further to addition of lavish gopurams, 1000-pillared Halls, and various maëòapas.

The Temple was built in 650 CE in the Kalinga style of architecture. It is dedicated to Lord Çiva though there are images of Lord Viñëu, Yama, Sürya and Sapta-mätåkäs - seven mother-goddesses.



Lavishly decorated, it has exquisite friezes depicting, human figures, animal life, and floral motifs, coupled with impressive busts of Çiva.




Dancing Siva
Siva-Parvati
Somaskanda?




It has bas-reliefs of elephants and horse processions, lattice windows.

An image of Buddha is at the top of the Temple.




One of the striking aspect in the temple is the presence of 1000 liìgas. I was not even aware of its existence, much less its significance. While preparing photos for my Liìgäñöakam in You Tube, I read about its existence in Michael Gunther’s website, comparing it with 1000 liìgas in Hampi. Immediately next day early morning I visited the Temple, one more time. Was overwhelmed to see, photographed. It is in front of the Sapta-mätåkäs. Here it is.



1000s of lingas sculpted
around a huge linga in
Parasurameswara Temple,
Bhubaneswar
1000s of Lingas carved
in stone on the banks of
Koti Tirtha Ghat - Hampi
Source - ASI


Just south of Paraçurämeçwara Temple is the Swanajaleçwara Temple, built in similar fashion. The motifs on the walls depict scenes from the Rämäyaëa.

***
Work in Progress
***

1 comment:

Srimad BhagavadGita Chapter - 10

Previous Chapter                                                                                                                           ...