Astasambhu Siva Temple – VIII is a temple (Lat.20°14’62”N., Long.85°50’18”E. Elev.107 ft.) in the state of Orissa

Orissa

Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...

 in India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. It is located within the Uttaresvara Siva temple precinct. The temple is privately owned and is under care and maintenance of Ratnakara Gargabatu and family. The temple is which was worshipped earlier is now abandoned and is described as non-living temple.

History

The details mentioned in Bada division and Pabhaga mouldings on the temple shows that the temple traces its origin back to 10th century A.D.

Physical Description

The temple is surrounded by Godavari tank in east, Panchupandava temples in west, Uttaresvara Siva temple in north and compound wall of Uttaresvara temple in south. The temple faces towards west.

Architectural Features

The building material used was coarse grey sandstone and construction was according to dry masonry. The temple architecture belongs to Kalingan style of architecture. On plan, the temple has a square Vimana measuring 2.10 m, with a frontal porch of 0.33 m. The cella measures 0.90 square m. On elevation, the vimana is of rekha order measuring 4.30 m in height. With three fold divisions of bada the temple has a trianga bada measuring 1.38 m in height (pabhaga-0.35 m, jangha -0.69 m, baranda -0.34 m). The gandi and mastaka measures 2.02 m and 0.90 m. The raha niches measure 0.43 m x 0.21 m , with a depth of 0.09 m. The niches are empty. The doorjambs are plain and measure 1.05 m in height x 0.45 m in width.

Conservation Problem and Remedies

The inner walls of the sanctum are in damaged condition. Rain water percolates in to the sanctum from the cracks in the roof. The temple had been repaired by Orissan State Archaeology under X and XI Finance Commission Award.