Orissa being a land of ancient and sacred temples, and a state where three religions
flourished, is thronged by pilgrims throughout the year. There are a large number
of fairs and festivals celebrated in the state relating to each religion, tribe.
Festivals relating to Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of the Puri Temple, and
many seasonal exhibitions and fairs as well as special festivals such as the Konark
Dance Festival, the Rajarani Music Festival, the Puri Beach Festival etc are regarded
as prominent one .
Built in 11th century AD , the Lingaraj temple, presently at state capital Bhubaneswar
, is considered as the epitome of Orissa architecture. More than two generations
effort and about a century of time spents over to complete this amazing sculpture.Started
by king Jajati keshari this was completed by king Lalatendu keshari. Here this scluptures
show various aspects of contemporary life and it is really remarkable for the maturity
of form and excellence of expression. Touring Orissa , excluiding this great sclptures,
implies the tour is incomplete.
The compose of the temples is a variety by itself. The structure rising to a height
of 17.98 meters in fine grained yellowish sand stone presents a dramatic sequence
in temple building activities. Closely clustered with its own miniature replicas
or Anga Sikhara projections, Rajarani has family resemblance with Kandariya Mahadeva
temple of Khajuraho. The slender waisted life-size figures languorously posed, reflect
the artists' realistic appreciation of the wealth of feminine charm a sumptuous
feast for the visitor's eye. Historian says Originally the name of the temple was
Indreswar.But it is widely famous as Rajarani temple. Rajarani means king and queen.
Here the several unique type of stone was used to built this extraordinary sculpture
.This is purely an example of the experimental and original tendencies of Orissan
architects.
The temple of konark is located at a distance of about 62 Km from state capital
Bhubaneswar. Connectivity form state capital Bhubaneswar to konark is verywell by
road. It is Widely known as Sun temple and one of the strange monument of the world
.Sculpture of 13th century was built by ruler Narasimha dev-I. Chariot Shaped and
driven by seven horses on a 12 pair of wheels is the uniqueness of this monument.
Almost all part of the walls of the temple contain superb carving of divine, human
and animal figures amidst floral and geometric ornamentation by ancient artisan
of orissa . Gone are the days... only the main entrance hall , known as Mukhasala
, is the only remains of the temple as a testimony to the glorious craftmanship
of Orissa which height is about is 46 m.
The Simhanath temple combines older features with new and energetic experiments.
Situated on an island in the Mahanadi River it is about 12kms distance from Badamba
area in Cuttack District. Believed to be built in 9th century the design of this
temple is interesting for its images of Shaiva, Shakta and Vaishnava cults of Hinduism.The
jagmohana appears to be influenced by the Vaital Deul temple in Bhubaneswar.
Here the architectural features and the sculptural style establish that this temple
was constructed dated to 8th-9th Century A.D. History says this temple was constructed
during the Bhaumakara rule in Orissa. As facing east , this temple is a single shrine
built in "Rekha" order of Kalingan style of temple architecture. The temple is "Pancharatha"
in plan, over a raised base to a height of about 3.7 meters. Recently renovation
gave this temple a new look.
Widely Known as 'Tulasi Kshetra', small town Kendrapara is famous for the temple
of Lord Baladeva. It is at a distance of 75kms form cuttack and 95kms form state
capital Bhubaneswar. Here the worshipping idol is lord Baladeva. Though only lord
Baladeva is ruling idol here ,the rites and rituals of Lord Jagannath at Puri are
generally followed here . This makes Kendrapara equally attractive.
It is considered as the gem of Orissan architecture in sand stone. Belonging to
the 10th century AD; its special features a crucial turning point in the tempo of
the Orissan temple architecture . The magnificent arched gateway, the Torana, in
the front of the Mukteswar is a unique piece of stonework. The graceful feminine
figures in languorous poses are as captivating as the figures of monkeys and royal
peacocks on it. For more than 10th centuries this temple has gracefully remained
as a standing invitation to hold back the visitors .
Typical feature of this temple is it was built in 7th century AD . A double storied
temple with a tall linga ( about 2.74 meters height from the floor level) is said
to be originally a free- standing Ashokan pilar . To enable the devotees to reach
the top of the linga and to perform rituals , here arranges have been made for the
years. The upper tier, approachable by a flight of steps against the northern wall
of the lower tier, is pierced with a door on the West side; the lower one looks
like a platform and is provided with four doorways, one on each side, leading to
the floor of the sanctum. Both the tiers are pancharatha on plan and have five-fold
divisions .
Built in 11th century AD, Brahmeswar temple, is a milestone in the temple architecture
of Orissa. The slab-sealing interior is carved as an inverted lotus with serpentine
figures at corners. The procession of armed infantry, cavalry and elephants, animals
and birds adorn the friezes of the structure.
Daiteswar temple is a single shrine of Rekha deula built with sandstone . The temple
faces east and the door-jamb has carved designs. The Outer walls of the temple are
found plain and without moulding or designs. From architechtural features it is
believed that this temple was built in between 10th - 11th century AD . The temple
was in a collapsing stage and recently structural conservation and part renovation
work was done .
The architectural features as well the sculptural style noticed on the sculptures
of this temple would place it during the Somavamsi rule in Orissa in 11th century
AD. This temple is Pancharatha in design and contains a 'Rekha Deula' and a "Pidha
Jagamohana". The temple faces south and the height of the sanctum would be about
13.7 meters. This is the main shrine of the Kedar-Gouri Complex, which can be approached
on the east from the Lewis Road .
A remote destination in the northern area of Orissa here is the town of Khiching
which was obviously once a religious center of some importance. The temples which
remain today, although interesting in their own right . The large temple of Kichakeswari
originally probably dating back to the 7th or 8th century, was reconstructed from
the ruins of an earlier temple in the early 20th century. The reconstruction, which
used the traditional technique of moving large stone elements up a huge earthen
ramp, proved that the ancient skill of temple building and architecture survived
into the current century.
On the bank of the river Mahanadi, leaning shiva temple of huma is a excellent scenic
spot of great excellence. This spot is about 32 km from Sambalpur town and 350 km
from Bhubaneswar. This temple is dedicated to Lord Bimaleswar. Here for a visitor,
another attraction are Kudo fishes . Research scholars reveals that constructed
temple does not reflect the true form of the original, because it had a unique approach
previously. Here Large and tall images are slender and graceful, reflecting a remarkable
sophistication of touch.
About a distance of 6kms from Niali, the famous Madhava temple of 13th century is
located on the eastern bank of the Prachi River . This area is famous for four armed
Vishnu cult . Particularly, the area between Niali and Madhava appears to have been
the principal centre of the Madhava i.e. four-armed Vishnu cult in Orissa. This
is widely described in Sri Jayadeva's Gita Govinda. The temple is also sometimes
referred to as "Durgamadhava" because of the presence of a small Durga image next
to Madhava within the sanctum. Strong believe of devotees on this temple draws a
large number of pilgrims from all over Orissa and other visitors also.
Built in 15th centuary AD , the temple Nrusinganath is about 165kms away form Sambalpur
via Baragarh. Located at the foot of the sacred Gandhamardan Hills, this temple
has strong mythologiacl background. According to legends Lord Hanuman carried on
his shoulders from the Himalayas as described in the ancient epic Ramayana. This
place was previously known as Parimalagiri and all the time this temple at Nrusinghanath
has been an important pilgrimage site. It is also an exceedingly fascinating and
beautifully located temple and is worth the journey to this rather remote spot.
On the 14ht day of bright fortnight of Baisakhi, a great fair is held here in the
honour of lord Nrusinghanath. The site of the temple is unique. Stone steps wind
up the hillside behind the temple, leading past a waterfall and eventually curving
under the falls to a spot where some beautiful, and very well- preserved relief
sculptures are found. The climb to the carvings and return journey will take about
an hour. Since shoes are not permitted on these sanctified pilgrimage steps, those
with tender feet should take along a pair of heavy socks for the climb.
On the opposite slope of the Gandhamardana hill on which Lord Nrusinghanath temple
is located, the temple Harishankar is located. Between the two temples there is
a 16 km. plateau, littered with Buddhist ruins that scholars feel may be the remains
of the ancient university of Parimalagiri, referred to by the seventh-century Chinese
traveler Hiuen T'sang .
This highly ornate monument is 12.80 meters high and hailed as the earliest surviving
temple, belongs to the middle of the 7th century AD. It is furnished with four latticed
windows and grill decoration of ‘bands of animated musicians and dancers, remarkable
for ingenuity of conception, beauty of design and rhythmic vigour writes Debala
Mitra. Every Stone here is of informative character, one visitor can say resistlessly.
Located at a distance of 115 km from Bhawanipatna, Budhikomna houses the famous
temple of Pataleswar . The uniqueness of the temple is that it is made entirely
of brick in Trirath style. The architectural design is quite interesting to art-lovers
and general visitors also. And particularly this unique architecture is a centre
of attraction.
This temple has different and unique architecture and believed that it was built
in 8th centuary. Here the deity is chamunda,the terrible and blood thirsty goddess
represent violent principles of the universe .The roof is not a tower but a vault,looking
like an overturned boat. The roof is plain.
On the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, 15 km south-east of the city, is a small, circular
temple which is widely known as Yogini Temple. It dates to the early ninth century.
It is hypaethral i.e.open to the sky, and belongs to a genre of architecture completely
apart from the major Orissan school. Although it seems that temples of this type
existed throughout India at one time, today only four remain. Two of them are in
Orissa; the shrine at Hirapur and one at Ranipur-Jharial, located 104 km from Bolangir.
The temple's circular wall, which is barely 2 meters high, contains 64 niches within
its inner circumference. All except one of these contain an image of a Yogini Goddess.
Some of the Goddesses are portrayed with sensual bodies and jewelled bodices, others
with horrific shrunken features, still others with animal heads. Even today, standing
in the deserted temple with bright sunshine pouring in, one senses a strange emanation
from the temple, and this feeling is in keeping with its original purpose. Active
between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, the cults responsible for these temples
worshipped Yogini Goddesses in expectation of the direct acquisition of supernatural
powers. The Yoginis were thought to be able to confer on their devotees the power
to become microscopic or gigantic in size, to control the body and mind of oneself
and of others, to fly, become invisible, and myriad other useful abilities. Worship
seems to have centered on the repetition of the names of the Goddesses, and in later
centuries, when active use of the shrines ceased, worshippers transferred their
devotions to mystical paper diagrams.
Here lord Chandra Sekhar Mahadev resides. The temple is on the top of the Kapilas
mountain whish is 223ft height from the ground. The great fair here held every year
on Maha Shivaratri day, where lakhs of devotees thronged here all over India.
At a distance of 3kms form cuttack city and on an Island in the middle of the river
Mahanadi, the temple of lord Dhabaleswar stands.It is believed that to save a devotee
form disaster, lord shiva turned a black bullock into white.On the full moon day
of Kartika , lakhs of devotees gathered here to observed Bada Osha utsav.
Traditionally forecast teller epic Malika is associated with this temple. Because
Malika writer Saint Hadi Das was resides here.Here is an ancient banian tree which
is popularly known as Chhatia Bata and the lord Jagannath termple is also a really
worthy visiting place for all the visitors.
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