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Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa, is known as the
Temple city of India.There are about 600 temples in this
city, the biggest and finest being the Lingaraj Temple.
Lingaraj
temple was built in 617-657 A.D and its height
is about 54 meters. Its towering spire-like beauty dominates
the Bhubaneswar skyline.It represents the the peak of
Kalinga style of architecture spanning over 25 centuries
of progressive history.This 11th century temple is the
culmination of architectural beauty and sculpted elegance.
The temple is surrounded by a massive wall of 520 feet
long and 456 broad and the main gate is guarded by two
lions and capped by a pyramidal roof. This temple is
called a temple complex because almost 65 secondary
temples cluster around the central structure. Of these
the Parvati temple takes pride of place.
Some
of the finest sculptures that are embodied in it turn
out to be the product of very rare artistic genius.
The sculptures depict the Kings and queens, royal court,
dancing girls, hunters, cultivators, musicians playing
on musical instruments, etc. Lingaraj, the God in the
temple is represented as a linga or a black stone eight
feet in diameter. Such a representation of Lingaraj
is called as Swayambhu a natural linga. It
was Jajati Keshari who laid the foundation of the Lingaraj
temple and his great grandson Lalatendu Keshari completed
the work.
Mukteswar
Temple was built in the 10th century and is
well known for its stone architecture.One of the most
delightful expressions of the Kalinga school of architecture
is the luminous beauty of the Mukteswar temple, often
called as the 'Gem of Orissan architecture'.It is a
glorious synthesis of the old and new styles. This temple
has some of the most ornate carvings and renditions
of stories from the Panchatantra. The arched gateway
is particularly fine. It shows an excellent combination
of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain features,which find a common
voice in much of Orissan temple craft.
Rajarani
Temple The Rajarani temple is an elegant example
of great finesse in temple art architecture.It was built
in the 11th century. The sensuous beauty
of the female form and the filigree sweetness of flowers
and fruits are enhanced by the artists dexterous skill.
Lack of temple deity, and celebration of the female
form are some intriguing aspects of this temple.
Parsurameswar
Temple is a small but richly decorated shrine of
Shiva that was built in the 7th century.
It is one of the best preserved. It has sculptures featuring
amorous couples, animals and floral motifs.
Svarnajaleswar
Temple is located a little south of Parsurameswar
Temple and has beautiful depictions from the epic Ramayan.
Vaital
Temple An example of the Khakara school of
architecture, an offshoot of the Kalinga school, is
quite different, even though it maintains the Deul and
Jagmohan structures.Only here the Deul is rectangular
in shape rather than curvilinear in shape.Its external
surface is embellished like other temples. Dedicated
to the Goddess Chamunda(Kapali), it is said to have
been the centre of Tantric worship. The Goddess can
be seen in the murky depths of the inner sanctum, enthroned
upon a corpse.
Yogini
Temple is situated about 15 km from Bhubaneswar
at Hirapur. One of the four Yogini Temples in India,
it has beautiful Yoginis carved from black chlorite-
a great study for the connoisseurs of art and architecture.
Ashokan
Rock Edict is situated at Dhauli, 8 km south of
Bhubaneswar. This magnificent Buddhist Temple was built
by Indo-Japanese collaboration.. The Buddhist influence
is spread all over Bhubaneswar. The rock-cut edicts,
topped by a sculpted elephant (the universal symbol
of Buddhism) perpetuate the cult of gentleness, peace
and justice, by a remorseful ruler, to his administrators.On
the Dhauligiri hills stands the Peace Pagoda, built
by Japan Buddha Sangha and Kalinga Nippon Budha Sangha,
in the 70's stands as a lustrous beacon beaming out
of its message of peace as far as the eye can
see.This is said to be the earliest rock-cut sculpture
in India.On the Dhauligiri Hills, where the great Kalinga
war was fought, stands a very modern monument to world
peace, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. Below the Dhauligiri
Hills, the river Daya flows peacefully.
Ananta
Basudev Temple is an important Vaishnava shrine.
Built in 1278 AD by Rani Chandrika Devi, the presiding
deities in this temple are Ananta(Lord Balaram), Lord
Jagannath and their sister Subhadra.
KedarGouri
Temple Dedicated to Shiva (Who is called Kedareswar
here) and Goddess Gouri, the temple is situated near
the Mukteswar temple. By the side of the temple there
is a perennial stream. It is believed that a single
sip of water from this tank absolves the drinker from
the repeated cycles of birth and death.
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