Paraçurämeçwara Temple, Bhubaneswar
Structurally,
the Paraçurämeçwara Temple at Bhubaneswar is the oldest, dating middle of 7th
century. It is the best preserved of the early temples of Bhubaneswar.
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Temple architecture/style
Being
one of the earliest temples in Odisha, it has only two basic structures – the deula(vimäna) and jagamohana. Seeing Paraçurämeçwara Temple one can easily conclude
that the addition of bhogamaëòapa and
naöyamaëòapa (as they are in
Lingaraja and Jagannatha Temples) was development of temple architectural
style, at least in Odisha. In south, it developed further to addition of lavish
gopurams, 1000-pillared Halls, and
various maëòapas.
The
Temple was built in 650 CE in the Kalinga style of architecture. It is dedicated
to Lord Çiva though there are images of Lord Viñëu, Yama, Sürya and Sapta-mätåkäs
- seven mother-goddesses.
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Lavishly
decorated, it has exquisite friezes depicting, human figures, animal life, and
floral motifs, coupled with impressive busts of Çiva.
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Dancing
Siva
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Siva-Parvati
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Somaskanda?
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It
has bas-reliefs of elephants and horse processions, lattice windows.
An
image of Buddha is at the top of the Temple.
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One
of the striking aspect in the temple is the presence of 1000 liìgas. I was not
even aware of its existence, much less its significance. While preparing photos
for my Liìgäñöakam in You Tube, I read about its existence in Michael Gunther’s
website, comparing it with 1000 liìgas in Hampi. Immediately next day early
morning I visited the Temple, one more time. Was overwhelmed to see,
photographed. It is in front of the Sapta-mätåkäs. Here it is.
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1000s
of lingas sculpted
around
a huge linga in
Parasurameswara
Temple,
Bhubaneswar
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1000s
of Lingas carved
in
stone on the banks of
Koti
Tirtha Ghat - Hampi
Source
- ASI
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Just
south of Paraçurämeçwara Temple is the Swanajaleçwara Temple, built in similar
fashion. The motifs on the walls depict scenes from the Rämäyaëa.
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Work in Progress
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