365bet娱乐

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In course of time, to meet the growing needs of the rituals two more structures viz,
the natama峁囜笉apa and the bhogama峁囜笉apa, were added. Both these structures are
completely separate but integrated to form an effective and harmonious
architectural organization. Standing in a row in the same axial alignment, with
rising and falling peaks, they give the impression of a mountain range and take the
eye to the sikhara of the sanctum, which is the highest of all." The temple complex
is often enclosed by walls, but there is no gopuram as in the case of South Indian
temples. The Orissan temple is remarkable in its plan and elevation. The interior
ground plan of the temple is square as a rule.20 But externally, because of
projections; the temple appears to show a cruciform plan. The Orissan temples are
distinguished by vertical projections called rathas or pagas. Depending on the
number of pagas the temples are classified into tri-ratha, panca-ratha, sapta ratha
and nava-ratha. The earlier temples are characterized by a tri-ratha plan, but in
course of evolution the tri ratha gave place to the panca ratha, sapta ratha and nava
ratha. In later temples the projections are well developed and produce a charming
effect.
21 In elevation the Orissan temples show interesting features. The vim膩na
(main deu岣穉) is characterized by a curvilinear superstructure and the jagamohana
by a pyramidal superstructure. Both the structures can be divided into four parts
along with the vertical plane. The four divisions are such as pista, b膩岣峚, ga峁囜笉i and
mastaka. The Orissan craftsmen have considered the temple as the body of the
cosmic Being. Therefore, the different parts of the temple are considered as its
limbs and named accordingly." Just as the different parts of a human body are
organically related to each other, so the different divisions of the temple bear vital
relationship with each other and are integrated into an artistic composition. Both
the rekha and pidh膩 deu岣穉s are the dominant types of Orissan temple architecture.
The sanctum where the presiding deity enshrined is generally
conceived as the womb and thus it is called garbhag峁沨a. Like the womb it is
intensely dark. The dim light of the earthen lamp along with the fragrance of the
flowers, incense, which creats an atmosphere of solemnity where a devotee can fix
his/her mind in meditating to god. The image of god was sanctified by certain
rites and only then the divinity was considered in some explicable manner to have
taken up residence in it.22 The sanctum is a small room, often square with
completely plain walls and with a single narrow doorway in the front.
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