![]() The temples of Orissa are categorised under the designations rekha and bhadra. The rekha is the conical, beehive-shaped spire; the bhadra a terraced pyramid. The rekha is divided into elements entitled shin, trunk, neck, and skull, analogies that suggest that the temple was regarded as a microcosm of Prajapati, the Cos¬mic Man. The rekha is further divided into stages or bhumis, each one of which is presided over by its specific deity. These same sikharas are designated as mountains to certify that they were regarded as architec¬tural replicas of Mount Meru or Kailasa. The Parasuramesvara temple which was constructed during 650 A.D. is the earliest example of Indo-Aryan architec¬ture at Bhubaneshwar. It consists of a tower sanctuary of the rekha type with an attached enclosed porch. This tower is simply an en¬largement of the types already seen in the sanctuaries of the Gupta Period and the Galaganatha at Pattadakal. The successive storeys are marked by heavy corner quoins in the loti-form crown shape, and the tower is capped by a complete crown supporting a metal trident of Lord Shiva. Although the tower clearly consists of identical repeated storeys diminishing in size towards the summit, neither this emphasis on horizontal division nor the heavily rusticated character of the exterior decoration in any way detracts from the soaring curvilinear profile of the spire. The porch, which is covered with corbelled slabs of heavy masonry, is decorated with pierced latticed windows in stone and low reliefs of dancing dwarfs. The raised courses of masonry framing the corners and dividing the faces of the sikhara give the impression of the tower being tied in by ribs converging in the crown. The precise curvature of these members was carefully regulated by the Shastras. Just as the ascent and meeting of these members symbolically connoted for the wor¬shipper the aspiration and ultimate absorption of all in the godhead, their presence in an architectural sense provided the strongest impression of verticality to offset the static horizontal lines of the porch and spire itself. The architecture of Orissa is marked for its distinguished style which has gradually evolved into an intricate plan with ornamented plastic figures and lofty sikharas. The Lingaraj temple is a remarkable feature of architecture in Orissa. It was built in 1000 A.D. The Lingaraja temple is positioned in a spacious courtyard which covers over 250000 square feet and is bounded by fortified walls. The tower of this temple rises upto a height of 180 feet and is richly carved. The sikhara is completely beehive-shaped structure in which the original or cubical form of the cella is entirely merged into the curvilinear profile of the tower. Inserted one above another in alter¬nate converging ribs of the spire is turrets repeating the shape of the tower as a whole. It should be noted that even the most elaborate of the Orissan temple towers are extremely primitive in con¬struction. They are built entirely on the prin¬ciple of corbelled vaulting, so that in section a hollow pyramid with overlapping courses of masonry roofed by the terminal cap of the structure is perceived. The sikhara of the Lin¬garaja temple was preceded by a number of porches of the bhadra type reserved for the accommodation of worshippers and the per¬formance of religious spectacles. There are two mandirs of the Lingaraj temple namely the Nata mandir and the Bhog mandir which originated much later. ![]() The Jagannath temple in Puri in Orissa is considered as one of the biggest temple of Orissa. The temple was established during the twelfth century and was dedicated to Lord Jagannath or Lord Krishna. The architecture of this temple is noted in the elaborate carvings in the wall. The massive pillars that provide support to the temples are decorated with pictures depicting the life of Lord Jagannath. The architecture of this shrine is similar to the other Orissan temples. The temple is bounded by walls on all sides and on each side there is a gate. There are four gates in all namely the Lion gate, the Horse gate, the Tiger gate and the Elephant gate. The main tower rises above the inner chamber where the deity resides. The Jagannath temple is the largest temple of Orissa and possesses a dozens of structures in its complex. The main temple structure is of 65m in altitude and is built on an elevated ground. On the top of the temple there is a wheel which is made of an alloy of eight metals. The architecture of Orissa is mainly noted in its temple architecture. The unique style of the architecture of the temple is known as the Kalingan style of temple architecture. Though the architecture is inspired from the Nagara style but there are certain exclusive features of the architecture in Orissa. |