RAJA-RANI TEMPLE
This temple is located in old Bhubaneshwar. This gracefully proportionate 11th
country temple stands against the backdrop of green paddy (rice) fields, looking very
alluring.
This temple is famous for its elaborately ornate sanctuary. Here one can see a pair of
satries or dikpals (temple guardians). In addition to these one can see beautiful nymphs,
embracing coupler, lions, elephants decorating the pillars and walls.
Yama in various forms and postures can be seen-it is both fascinating and intermidating
for e.g.: Yama holding several heads and a sword over the lying figure of a dead man.
The Orissa king who created this temple died before the finishing touches to the temple
were given. A deity was placed leaving the 1 sanctum sanctorum eternally godless, yet it
is filled with vacant peace as no pujas are performed here and one can roam around freely.
VAITAL TEMPLE
This 8th century temple is close to Bindusagar. This is one of the unique temples found in
Bhubaneshwar, which is dedicated to the tantric Godesses. This temple offers one to see
many macabre carvings. One can see the presiding deity Chaumunda (Kali) in the clingy
interior to get a better vie one can see it without flashlight or torchlight. Here the
Goddess is usually depicted as wearing a necklace of human skulls, sitting on the corpses
usually with her bright red tongue protuding out and long luscious black hair flowing
regally. In addition to this Goddess Chaumunda is shown as the 8-armed Mahish Sura Mardini
(Slayer of the buffalo demon). She is seen in this manifestation of hers as holding a
serpent, sword, bow, thunderbolt, shield and an arrow, piercing the neck of the buffalo
demon.
The temple has a two-story wagon roof" or barrette shaped roof.
PARSURAMESWAR TEMPLE
This 650 A.D. temple is one of the oldest temples existing in Bhubaneshwar. It is close to
the main Bhubaneshwar-Puri road, on the same side as the Lingaraj temple. It has all the
main features of the pre-10th century Orissan architectural style temples like pine spire
curving up to a point over the sanctum, which houses the deity and the pyramid-covered
Jagmohan, where people sit and pray. It has a lively bas-relief of horses and
elephant’s processions and latticework on windows. Outside the temple one can see
exotic carvings of Ganesha, the elephant God Karti Keya, Shiva Parvati and other deities.
On the northwest corner of the temple compound one comes across the
exoticaly unique " Lingam of one thousand Lingas "- the phallic symbol of shiva
with 1,000 lingas engraved on it.
[This is one of the best preserved, Shiva temples. The masonry was kept in place by weight
and balance].
The other interesting carvings to be seen are those of Shiva tackling the Lankan king
"Ravana," who is trying to uproot Mount Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva. Shiva
is also shown in the endearing posture as "Natraja"- The Lord of Dance.
MUKTESWAR TEMPLE
This beautifully decorated 10th century, elaborately carved temple is
not far from the Parsurameswar temple. It is one of the smallest temples and the
compactness of the temple is also very striking. The tank inside the compound is still
used by the priest and the devotees. In the well here the women still toss coins in the
hope of curing infertility. On the door frame one can see the carvings of the local saint,
Lakulisa. Its earthy red sandstone body is encrusted with intricate carvings, depicting
starved lean looking Sadhus (holy men) to voluptuous, become women bedecked with jewels
Mukteswar's most distinctive feature is the arched gateway also called "Torana"
dated about 900 A.D. The Torana shows the influence of Buddhist architecture. This thick
pillared, arched gateway is beautifully carved with strings of beads and other attractive
ornaments with statues of smiling women in languorous postures. In the yard stands the
Kedareswar Temple, with a striking 8 feet statue of Ram Bhakt Hanuman (the monkey God).
SIDDERVARA TEMPLE
Immediately to the NorthWest of the Muktesvara Temple is the Siddervara Temple. The temple
is plain and the carving not elaborate. Unlike the earlier temple, the vertical lower
section is divided into five parts and the amla on top of the sanctuary is supported by
four squatting figures.
The Gauri Temple to the South is built in the Kahkhara style and has carvings of beautiful
women in numerous poses.
Ketu, the ninth planet has been introduced in this temple.
BEAHMESWAR TEMPLE
This 11th century temple is about a kilometer east of the main road. In the courtyard of
the temple one comes across four small structures while crossing the porch of the temple
one comes across the image of Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth). Covered with a piece of
cloth, with incense sticks in front of it. The main sanctuary houses a Shivalinga. The
tower of the Sanctuary is over 18m in height.
The exterior of the temple is elaborately carved with swans, monkeys,
lions, deers, figures of Gods and Goddesses, religious scenes and the ninth planet
"Ketu" also finds its place here.
The scenes in the riches of the miniature temples of the upper sections are mainly exotic
couples in various poses and voluptuous female figures elaborately bedecked with
ornaments. A rare depiction of Shiva as Natraja playing on a vina above a bull is found in
the carvings of this temple.
