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 6 - Shakta Temples of Purushottama Kshetra
9 (of 54)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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The figure of gaja-simha or lion on a croachant elephant is the conventional mount of goddess Vimaḷ�. It has been installed at the outside of the temple i.e. ten feet eastern side of the bhogamaṇḍapa. The gaja-simha figure is about 4 feet in height and the place of the conventional mount is covered by the flat roof. Portal Decorations:- The sanctum has one doorway towards the jagamohana. The doorjambs of the sanctum are finely carved with scroll-works, flower designs and creepers with the frolicking boys. The flying apasarā figures are carved on the surface of the doorway lintel. The central portion of the doorway lintel is carved with an image of Gaja-Lakṣmī. The navagraha figures are carved on the architrave above the doorway lintel. Figures of two traditional dvārapāḷas of the presiding deity are found at the base of either side of the doorway of sanctum. The jagamohana has two doorways; one on the western side towards the sanctum and the other one on the eastern side towards the nāṭamaṇḍapa. The doorjambs of the eastern side doorway of the jagamohana are ornately decorated with scroll works, flower designs, jāli works and creepers with the frolicking boys. The image of Gaja-Lakṣmi is finely carved on the centre of the doorway lintel of the east. The navagraha figures are also carved on the architrave above the doorway lintel. They are all in yogāsana posture with usual attributes in their hands. The natamaṇḍapa has four doorways, one on each side. All the doorways except the western side are completely undecorated. The doorjambs of the bhogamaṇḍpa are completely plain. Two female figures are depicted on either side niche of the entrance doorway wall of the bhogamanḍapa. They are acting as the dvārapāḷas of the main entrance doorway. They hold knives in their right hands and the left hands, which are lying upon the left thighs. Their faces, bellies and hands are very fleshy. Paintings The inner walls of the natamaṇḍapa of the temple are fully depicted with the paintings of as many as sixteen forms of the goddess Durgā. Out of these paintings, the paintings of the Dasamahävidyā s are very important. They are such as Vimaḷ�, Chhinnamastā, Ugratārā, Mahākāḷ�, Bagaḷ�, Dhumāvatī, Śyāmākaḷ�, 246
