Akhadachandi Temple is located in Bhubaneswar in the Indian state of Orissa. The temple dates back to 10th century A.D. It is situated in 20 degree,14 minutes 46"N latitude and 85 degree 60minutes 02seconds East longitude and is at an elevation of 61 ft above the sea level.
Akhadachandi Temple is dedicated to Mahisasuramardini or Goddess Durga. The temple is built on the south west side of the embankment of Bindusagar tank in Badu Sahi and is maintained by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.
Architecture of Akhadachandi Temple
Akhadachandi Temple is rectangular in shape that measures 1.28 metres x 1.83 metres. It faces the southern side and the deity faces the eastern side. The temple has been designed according to the Kalingan architectural design. Coarse grained sandstone has been mainly used for its construction. The chief temple is a Khakhara Deul.
The vimana of the temple is of khakhara order. From pabhaga to mastaka it measures 42.94 metres in height. The temple has been adorned with bada, gandi and mastaka from the base to the apex. The bada has fivefold division measuring 1.74 metres. The jangha has been divided into upara jangha and tala jangha with the aid of a set of bandhana moulding. The jangha measures 0.52 metres. The pabhaga at the bottom is 0.26 metres in height. The baranda measures 0.26 metres while the bandhana measures 0.08 metres. The gandi of the temple is in khakhara order. It has been organized in three tires and has been adorned with a semi cylindrical roof. The mastaka of the temple has a kalasa. On either of its sides there are two gajakranta.
The doorjamb of the Akhadachandi Temple is embellished with two plaster design that measure 1.10 metres x 0.65 metres. The temple has a main entrance gate and two subsidiary gateways built on the eastern and northern walls. Both the subsidiary gateways are identical and measure 0.92 metres x 0.59 metres.
Akhadachandi Temple is located 15 metres on the eastern side of the Markandesvara temple. It is on the north-west side of the Mohini temple situated at a distance of 30 metres. The temple performs certain festivals such as Durgastami and Balabhoga on a grand scale. The Bindusagar tank on the eastern side measuring 6.40 metres encloses the temple. The Orissa State Archaeology has renovated the temple under the X and XI Finance Commission Award. The Markandeya temple is in the western side while the residential buildings are on the southern side.
