Vaitäla Temple, Bhubaneswar
Vaitäla
Deula, dedicated to Tantric worship is a leading example of the khäkrä style of temple.
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Temple architecture/style
The
Temple (11.5 metre tall) is distinguished by the shape of a khäkrä - semi-cylindrical roof. The
double-storey cylindrical-roof’ appears to be an influence from Buddhist cave
architecture. The roof is crowned by three kalaças,
locally known as tinmuëòiyä. The
Temple plan is rather simple with a rectangular deula/vimäna, preceded by
a rectangular flat-roofed jagamohana.
Deity
The
Temple is dedicated to Goddess Cämuëòa, one of the names assigned to
Mahiñasuramardiné Durgä after she vanquished the two demons Caëòa and Muëòa.
She can be seen in the sanctum, which
is kept dark. Her necklace of skulls, and the corpse she is sitting on, are
usually hidden beneath her garment.
She
is accompanied by other goddesses, along with Ganeça, Vérabhadra (a form of Çiva),
and a pair of terrible-looking Bhairavas.
The
exterior of the Temple is lavishly carved with figures of Ardhanäréçwara, Pärvaté,
Mahiñasuramardiné, Lakuliça, Hari-hara, Naöaräja. Some figures of Nayikäs are
also there.
Stylistically
the Temple is assigned to 8th century CE. (still after Paraçurämeçwara
Temple).
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The
beautiful temple has been encroached from one side by shops, preventing one
from getting a decent picture. It is maintained by ASI.
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Work in Progress
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