Mukteswar Temple
Encyclopedia
Muktesvara deula is a 10th century Hindu temple
dedicated to Lord Siva located in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa
, India
. The temple dates back to 970 A.D., is a monument of singular importance in the study of the development of Hindu temples in Orissa
. In this stylistic development the Mukteswara plays a pivotal role; it marks the culmination of all earlier developments, and initiates a period of experiment which continues for an entire century, as seen in such temples as the Rajarani Temple
and Lingaraj temple
, both located in Bhubaneswar
.
. The Gateway to the Mukteswara Temple, modeled on the torana recovered from the field in Bhubaneswar
, bears sculptures that range from elaborate scrolls to pleasant female forms and figures of monkeys and peacocks. The arched gateway has thick pillars that have strings of beads and other ornaments carved on statues of smiling women in languorous repose. The porch is a waller chanber with a low, massive roof, and internal pillars are wholly wanting. The combination of vertical and horizontal lines is skillfully arranged so as to give dignity of buildings of moderate height. This early astylar form of the temple is best illustrated in this temple.
. Except for the rectangular plan of its jaganmohana, it is the earliest example of what may be termed proper Orissa temple type; a vimana
with a curvelinear spire and a jaganmohana with a stepped pyramidal roof. This temple also reveals some notable features both in architectural and in the attributes of the cult images. In the cult images, we find here a rat used as a mount of Ganesa
, a peacock associated with Karthikeya, babies carried in arms of Saptamatrikas and Ketu
among the planets.
There is a tank inside the compound that is still in use by devotees. Women toss coins into the tank, wishing to cure infertility. The local saint, Lakulisa is carved into the doorway.
The temple's red sandstone is covered with exquisite carvings of lean Sadhus or holy men as well as voluptuous women encrusted with jewels.
In the yard stands the Kedareswar Temple
with a striking 8 foot statue of Ram Bhakt Hanuman
(the monkey God).It is said that, taking a dip in the holy well cures a person of infertility. Mukteshwar temple exudes delicate sculpture. It is a perfect blend of ancient and modern designing and this is what makes it simply outstanding. This architecture is one of the basic reasons why Mukteswar temple is also known as the Gem of Orissa architecture.
Hindu temple
A Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
dedicated to Lord Siva located in Bhubaneshwar, 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...
, 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...
. The temple dates back to 970 A.D., is a monument of singular importance in the study of the development of Hindu temples in 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 this stylistic development the Mukteswara plays a pivotal role; it marks the culmination of all earlier developments, and initiates a period of experiment which continues for an entire century, as seen in such temples as the Rajarani Temple
Rajarani Temple
Rajarani Temple is an 11th century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva located in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa, India. Originally it was known as Indreswara, and serves as a shrine to Shiva. It is known as 'love temple', covered with coyly erotic carvings of women and couples...
and Lingaraj temple
Lingaraj Temple
Lingaraj Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Harihara, another name for Shiva and is one of the oldest temples of Bhubaneswar, a revered pilgrimage center and the capital of the state of Orissa, India....
, both located in 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...
.
The Porch
The temples most striking feature is the torana, or the arched gateway, dating back to about 900 A.D. and showing the influence of Buddhist architectureBuddhist architecture
Buddhist religious architecture developed in South Asia in the 3rd century BC.Three types of structures are associated with the religious architecture of early Buddhism: monasteries , stupas, and temples ....
. The Gateway to the Mukteswara Temple, modeled on the torana recovered from the field in 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...
, bears sculptures that range from elaborate scrolls to pleasant female forms and figures of monkeys and peacocks. The arched gateway has thick pillars that have strings of beads and other ornaments carved on statues of smiling women in languorous repose. The porch is a waller chanber with a low, massive roof, and internal pillars are wholly wanting. The combination of vertical and horizontal lines is skillfully arranged so as to give dignity of buildings of moderate height. This early astylar form of the temple is best illustrated in this temple.
Architecture
This distinctive 10th century temple is one of the smallest and most compact, decorated with intricate carvings and is the finest testimonial for the architectural cognizance of Vishwakarma Moharana sculptors. The temple is regarded as a gem of Nagara architecture of Kalinga architectureKalinga architecture
The Kaḷinga architectural style is a style which flourished in the ancient Kalinga region or present eastern Indian state of Orissa and northern Andhra Pradesh. The style consists of three distinct types of temples: Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula...
. Except for the rectangular plan of its jaganmohana, it is the earliest example of what may be termed proper Orissa temple type; a 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"...
with a curvelinear spire and a jaganmohana with a stepped pyramidal roof. This temple also reveals some notable features both in architectural and in the attributes of the cult images. In the cult images, we find here a rat used as a mount of Ganesa
Ganesa
Ganesa can be:* Ganesa, alternate spelling of Ganesha, the Hindu god.* Ganesa , a genus of marine snails in the family Turbinidae....
, a peacock associated with Karthikeya, babies carried in arms of Saptamatrikas 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....
among the planets.
There is a tank inside the compound that is still in use by devotees. Women toss coins into the tank, wishing to cure infertility. The local saint, Lakulisa is carved into the doorway.
The temple's red sandstone is covered with exquisite carvings of lean Sadhus or holy men as well as voluptuous women encrusted with jewels.
In the yard stands the Kedareswar Temple
Kedareswar Temple
Kedareswar Temple, one of the eight Astasambhu Temples, is situated near the Mukteswar Temple, in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. The presiding deity here is Lord Shiva, referred to locally by the name ‘Kedareshwar’. It is situated in the persinct of Kedara-Gouri on the right side of the road leading to Puri...
with a striking 8 foot statue of Ram Bhakt Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
(the monkey God).It is said that, taking a dip in the holy well cures a person of infertility. Mukteshwar temple exudes delicate sculpture. It is a perfect blend of ancient and modern designing and this is what makes it simply outstanding. This architecture is one of the basic reasons why Mukteswar temple is also known as the Gem of Orissa architecture.