Chakreshvari Siva Temple
Encyclopedia
Chakresvara Shiva temple is a living Hindu temple
bulit in 10-11 AD dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Hatiasuni lane, Rajarani Colony, Bhubaneswar
, Orissa
. The deity, lingam
is within a circular yonipitha in side the sanctum. The temple is surrounded by private residential buildings in eastern and northern side and chakresvara tank in the west. It is The temple is of great significance as various rituals like Sivaratri, Diwali
, and Sankranti
are observed here. Also this temple serves as a purpose of a sacred place for Thread ceremony, Rudrabhiseka, Chandrabhiseka.
and a renovated frontal porch. The vimana
(shrine) is pancharatha and the frontal porch. On elevation, the vimana
is of rekha order extends from pabhaga to kalasa. From bottom to the top, the temple has a bada, gandi and mastaka. With three-fold divisions of the bad the temple has a trianga bada. At the bottom, the pabhaga has four base mouldings of khura, kumbha, pata and basanta.
which is found in place of the usual Gaja-laxmi. It is an exception of the temples of Bhubaneswar
. Another departure is noticed at Kalarahanga where the lalatabimba is occupied by images of both Ganesa
and Saraswati
. In front of the temple, there are images of Parvati
and Kartikeya and an amlaka stone in the southern side of the temple.
with in a niche seated over his mount mouse. At the base of the doorjamb, there are dvarapala niches on either sides. The niches enshrine two armed Saivite dwrapala holding trident in their right hands and varada in left hands. The architrave above the doorjamb is beautifully carced with Navagrahas within the niches. Surya
holds lotus in his hands, Rahu
holds half moon and Ketu
with a serpent tail.
Hindu temple
A Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
bulit in 10-11 AD dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Hatiasuni lane, Rajarani Colony, Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, officially Odisha. The city has a long history of over 2000 years starting with Chedi dynasty who had Sisupalgarh near present-day Bhubaneswar as their capital...
, 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...
. The deity, lingam
Lingam
The Lingam is a representation of the Hindu deity Shiva used for worship in temples....
is within a circular yonipitha in side the sanctum. The temple is surrounded by private residential buildings in eastern and northern side and chakresvara tank in the west. It is The temple is of great significance as various rituals like Sivaratri, Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
, and Sankranti
Sankranti
Sankranthi means transmigration of Sun from one Rāshi to the other. Hence there are 12 such Sankrantis in all.* Makara Sankaranti: or Sankranti or Sankranthi marks the transition of...
are observed here. Also this temple serves as a purpose of a sacred place for Thread ceremony, Rudrabhiseka, Chandrabhiseka.
Architectural features
The temple stands on a low platform. On plan, the temple has a vimanaVimana
Vimāna is a word with several meanings ranging from temple or palace to mythological flying machines described in Sanskrit epics.-Etymology and usage:Sanskrit vi-māna literally means "measuring out, traversing" or "having been measured out"...
and a renovated frontal porch. The vimana
Vimana
Vimāna is a word with several meanings ranging from temple or palace to mythological flying machines described in Sanskrit epics.-Etymology and usage:Sanskrit vi-māna literally means "measuring out, traversing" or "having been measured out"...
(shrine) is pancharatha and the frontal porch. On elevation, the vimana
Vimana
Vimāna is a word with several meanings ranging from temple or palace to mythological flying machines described in Sanskrit epics.-Etymology and usage:Sanskrit vi-māna literally means "measuring out, traversing" or "having been measured out"...
is of rekha order extends from pabhaga to kalasa. From bottom to the top, the temple has a bada, gandi and mastaka. With three-fold divisions of the bad the temple has a trianga bada. At the bottom, the pabhaga has four base mouldings of khura, kumbha, pata and basanta.
Special Feature
In the lalatabimba, four-armed Lord GaneshaGanesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
which is found in place of the usual Gaja-laxmi. It is an exception of the temples of Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, officially Odisha. The city has a long history of over 2000 years starting with Chedi dynasty who had Sisupalgarh near present-day Bhubaneswar as their capital...
. Another departure is noticed at Kalarahanga where the lalatabimba is occupied by images of both Ganesa
Ganesa
Ganesa can be:* Ganesa, alternate spelling of Ganesha, the Hindu god.* Ganesa , a genus of marine snails in the family Turbinidae....
and Saraswati
Saraswati
In Hinduism Saraswati , is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. She is the consort of Brahma, also revered as His Shakti....
. In front of the temple, there are images of Parvati
Parvati
Parvati is a Hindu goddess. Parvati is Shakti, the wife of Shiva and the gentle aspect of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess...
and Kartikeya and an amlaka stone in the southern side of the temple.
Decorative features
The doorjambs are decorated with three vertical bands of scroll works like puspa sakha, nara, sakha and patra sakha from exterior to interior. At the lalatabimba there is a four armed GaneshaGanesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
with in a niche seated over his mount mouse. At the base of the doorjamb, there are dvarapala niches on either sides. The niches enshrine two armed Saivite dwrapala holding trident in their right hands and varada in left hands. The architrave above the doorjamb is beautifully carced with Navagrahas within the niches. Surya
Surya
Surya Suraya or Phra Athit is the chief solar deity in Hinduism, one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa and one of his wives, Aditi; of Indra; or of Dyaus Pitar . The term Surya also refers to the Sun, in general. Surya has hair and arms of gold...
holds lotus in his hands, Rahu
Rahu
In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a cut-off head of an asura, that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. He is depicted in art as a serpent with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses. Rahu is one of the navagrahas in Vedic astrology...
holds half moon and Ketu
Ketu
*In Vedic astrology, Ketu is the Moon's South node. Ketu is generally referred to as a "shadow" planet.*Ketu is a historical location in present day Benin.*Ketu is another name for the mountain K2....
with a serpent tail.