Essay name: Temples of Purushottama Kshetra Puri
Author:
Ratnakar Mohapatra
Affiliation: Sambalpur University / Department of History
This essay studies the Temples of Purushottama Kshetra (Puri) which is renowned for its historic and religious significance, situated in Orissa (Odisha) by the Bay of Bengal. Purusottama-ksetra is famous for the Lord Jagannatha temple and numerous smaller temples, it showcases the distinctive Kalinga architectural style.
Chapter 2 - Characteristics features of Orissan Temples
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External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Orissa. After the removal of plaster, various scenes of the life story of Kṛṣṇa can be identified in the sculptures of Jagannātha temple of Puri. In the Orissan temple art the following themes seem to have been popular; 1. the story of Kṛṣṇa's Janmāstami (Canḍeśvara); 2. Putanābadha (Siṃhanātha), Kesi and Vrusāsura badha (Vaidyanatha, Siṃhanatha, Jagannātha temple), 4. Sakata bhānga (Jagannatha temple), 5.Infant Kṛṣṇa with Yasodā (Lingarāja and Cateśvara),6. Subjugation of Kāḷiya nāga (Sukleśvar, Orissa State Museum and Jagannātha temple), 7.Yāmaḷārjuna bhānga (Ganeśvarapur and Mukhalingam),8. Vastraharaṇa (Viṣṇupura panel in the Orissa State Museum), 9. Uplifting of the Govardhan mountain (Viranchi Nārāyaṇa temple at Paliā, Jagannātha temple and Koṇārka temple) and rāsaliḷ� scene (detached sculptures at Visnupur, Jaya-Vijaya doorway of the Jagannatha temple). The cult of Kṛṣṇḍa was quite popular in all parts of Orissa. Stray images of Gopinatha of the Ganga period are known from different places. The well- known outstanding specimens are from Bāliantā and Hirapur Gopinatha is worshipped at Dāṇḍa-Mukundapur, Remuṇ�, Sākhi Gopāḷa and other places. Among the images, a beautiful figure of Kṛṣṇa-Visṇu, in the Orissa State Museum, is of particular interest. The group representation of Balarama, Ekanamsa and Kṛṣṇa-Vasudeva are known from Tirintura and Lingarāja temple complex and such figures have great significance in the context of Jagannatha 'Trinity'. Śaivite Images: Siva- The forms of Śiva, as represented in Orissan art, are varied. They fall under two categories: one showing the god in the ugra (terrific) form and the other depicting the saumya (peaceful) aspect. These images can also be classified, according to their postures, as sthānaka (standing), āsina (seated), nṛtya (dancing) and devi sahita (with the consort). The Mukhalinga aspect is illustrated in extent specimens from Sitabinji, Jājpur and Dakṣina Sāsana. An interesting relief from Siṃhanātha temple depicts the Lingodbhavamurti of Śiva, while Maheśamurti forms are available at Paraśurāmesvara and Sukleśvara temples. There is a fine specimen of standing 59
