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 5 - Shaiva Temples of Purushottama Kshetra
45 (of 66)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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in their respective places. Deuḷa Cāriṇi figures are inserted in the four cardinal directions of the beki above rāhās. The mastaka of the vimana consists of beki, amaḷaka silā, khapuri and kalasa. Other elements like ayudha and dhvaja are not found from the top of the mastaka. The sanctum preserves Sivalinga within Saktipitha as the presiding deity of the temple. The inner walls of the sanctum are devoid of decorative ornamentation in contrast to the outer walls. The sanctum of the vimana has one doorway towards the jagamohana. The door jambs of the main deuḷa are completely undecorated. The image of Gaja -Lakhṣmi is carved on the centre of the doorway lintel. The figures of Nandi and Bhṛngi are carved in standing posture on either side jamb of the doorway. Mukhaśāḷ� or Jagamohana:- The mukhaśāḷ� of the Kṣetrapāḷa temple is a small piḍhā deuḷa and its height is about 15 feet from the surface of the temple complex. The structure of the mukhaśāḷ� is supported by four octagonal pillars. It is an open maṇḍapa hall. The gandi of this structure is a pyramidal superstructure. Bull, the conventional mount of Lord Siva is installed in a separate small piḍhā structure, which is erected in front of the mukhaśāḷ�. was constructed According to R. C. Mishra, the temple of Kṣetrapāḷa during the time of Ananga bhima Deva. 109 On the basis of the architectural style, the vimāna or main deuḷa of the Kṣetrapāḷa temple was probably constructed during the Ganga period of Orissa history. 7. Pātāḷeśvara Temple The temple of Pātāḷeśvara is a small deula and it is situated in the inner courtyard of the northern side of the Jagannatha temple complex of Puri. The exact location of the temple is to the east of Śrī-Rāma temple and it is dedicated to Lord Śiva. The Pātāḷeśvara Śiva is one of the Asta-sambhus or eight guardian śambhus of the kṣetra of Purusottama. 110 The temple of Pātāḷeśvara is famous for the inscriptions incised in three different characters on the left doorjamb of the main deuḷa or vimāna." The temple is erected 27 feet below from the ground of the temple.112 From the architectural point of view, the Pātāḷeśvara temple is an 217
