365bet

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 7 - Miscellaneous Temples of Purushottama Kshetra

Page:

5 (of 36)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Copyright (license):

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)


Warning! Page nr. 5 has not been proofread.

This raised platform is often called as Mahāvedi." It is made of chlorite and measures approximately 19 feet in length and 4 feet in height. It contains three well-polished circular stone pedestals for the installation of images of Lord Jagannātha, Balabhadra and Subhadra during their stay. So the sanctum of the main shrine preserves only the vacant simhasana of Jagannatha 'Trinity'. These deities are installed on the throne at the time of Car festival for a period of seven days only. The height of the ceiling from the floor of the sanctum is 16 feet 7 inches. 9 The sanctum has one doorway towards the jagamohana. The doorjambs
of the sanctum are relieved with lotus flower devices and creepers containing
the frolicking boys. Artists have finely painted these decorative elements. The
Gaja-Lakṣmi image is carved on the centre of the doorway lintel. Flying apsarā
figures are flanked on either side of the Gaja-Lakṣmi image. The iamge of
Narasimha is carved on the architrave above the doorway lintel. The figures of
Jaya and Vijaya are carved in standing posture at the either side base of the
doorjambs. They are acting as the traditional dvārapāḷas of the temple.
Jagamohana:-
The jagamohana of the Gundicā temple is a piḍhã deuḷa and its height is
about 35 feet from the surface of the temple complex. The vimāna and
jagamohana of the Gundicā temple seem to be constructed in same period.10
Base of the jagamohana is square of 48 feet. The bāḍa of the jagamohana is
pancanga type i.e. having five fold vertical divisions such as pābhāga, taḷa
jāngha, bandhanā, upper jāngha and baraṇḍa. The pābhāga and taḷa jāngha of
the baḍa are completely undecorated. The bandhanā of the bāḍa consists of
three decorated horizontal mouldings. The upper jangha of the jagamohana is
embellished with beautiful stucco works (sculptural scenes) on Puranic
episodes. They have also been excellently painted by the local artists. The
subject depicted in the wall includes Rāma-abhiṣeka, Rama-Rāvaṇa yuddha,
aṣta mallas, Sandhāsura badha, Vakāsura badha, Truṇāsura badha, Jāmaḷ�
bhanjana, Sitā-vivāha, Ganeśa, Badri Nārāyaṇa, four headed Brahmā, Kāḷiya
daḷana scene, Putanābadha, Varāha and Kṛṣna is playing on flute under the
Kadamba tree. Most of the scenes depicted in walls have been derived from the
life story of Lord Kṛṣṇa. The baranda of the bāḍa is completely undecorated.
295

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Help to become even better: