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 3 - Lord Jagannatha Temple
27 (of 45)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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The river goddesses Gangā and Yamunā appear on the eastern side doorjambs of the bhogamaṇḍapa with their respective vehicles such as makara (crocodile) and tortoise. The bottom portions of the both side doorjambs of the most of doorways are relieved with khākharā mundis in which the goddesses Gangā and Yamunā have been housed. The images of Gaja-Lakṣmi are mostly carved on the centers of the doorway lintels of the Jagannatha temple. There is an image of Dakṣiṇakāḷi installed on the niche of the one of square sized pillars of the nāṭamaṇḍapa. Mythological scenes: Mythological scenes are also depicted in the different parts of Lord Jagannatha temple of Puri. They have been derived from the life story of Lord Kṛṣṇa as well as the story of Rāmāyaṇa. Life story of Lord Kṛṣṇa: In the western side niche of the piṣṭa of vimāna is relieved with the images of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā devī. The image of Kṛṣṇa has been installed on the pedestal, which relieved with figures of cows. Here Kṛṣṇa is playing on flute with dancing posture. Rādhā devī has been installed on the double petalled lotus pedestal and she is carrying a pot on her head. Some priests of the temple say it as Vanadevi. Most probably, this female figure is Rādhādevī. The sculptured friezes of the patta of vimāna mostly depict episodes from the life story of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Noteworthy scenes among these are such as sakata bhanga, Kāḷiyadaḷana, lifting of Govardhana Mountain etc. U.K.Subudhi has also stated that the patta measures about 6 inches in width and displays a sculptural panel containing episodes from the life of Lord Kṛṣṇa of the Bhāgabata Purāṇa. 87 The Kāliyadaḷana scene of Lord Kṛṣṇa is engraved on the sikhara of the vimāna of temple. Some scenes of the life story of Lord Kṛṣṇa are also depicted on the top of the plinth nearby the jagamohana in a row and it is quite striking. Here a scene depicting Lord Kṛṣṇa is returning from grazing field with cows & calves accompanied by the cowherd boys and gopis. 108
